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Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  873-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreprcductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
whic')  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


n 


n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 


□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pelMculde 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'ii  lui  a  6X6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dant*  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 

□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pelliculdes 


y 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachet^es  ou  piqu6es 


The  c 
to  th( 


Thei 
possi 
of  thi 
filmii 


Origi 
begir 
the  \i 
sion, 
othei 
first  I 
sion, 
or  illi 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


[3 


D 
D 


D 


Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bieue  ou  noire) 


/ 1    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

Larcliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film^es. 


□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 


X 


n 

D 


Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

I      I    Includes  supplementary  material/ 


Comprend  du  material  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seula  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  film^es  d  nouveau  de  faqon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The  I 
shall 
TINU 
whic 

Maps 
diffei 
entin 
begir 
right 
requi 
meth 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires; 


fhis  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


V 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Morisset  Library 
University  of  Ottawa 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  Iteeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grflce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  da: 

Bibliothdque  Morisset 
University  d'Ottawa 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6x6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  bacit  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —♦-(meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  film6s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmis  en  commandant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'HIustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  —*-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  t  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


32X 


1  2  3 


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2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

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TlIK 


OUIAN  RACES  OF  ABIERICA: 


COMPniSING 


A    GENERA  L   V I E  W 

(HISTORICAL  AND  DESCRIPTIVE) 


OF 


ALL  THE  MOST  CELEBRATED  TRIBES 

THROUGHOUT  THE  CONTINENT  AND  ADJACENT  ISLANDS; 

THE  DIFFERENT  THEORIES  KESPECTI^a  THEIR  ORIGIN; 
AN  OUTLINE  OF  THEIR  NATIONAL  CUSTOMS  AND  PE- 
OULIARITIES;    THEIR   EARLY   TRADITIONS;    AND 
THE  PROMINENT  EVENTS  IN  THEIR  HISTORY, 
PARTICULARLY  AS  CONNECTED  WITH  EU- 
ROPEAN COLONIZATION  IN  AMERICA. 

FROM  THE  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  COUNTRY  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 


I!  Y 

CIHARLES  DE  WOLF  BROWNELT.,  A.  M. 


W  I  T  IT 

NUMEROUS  AND  DIVERSIFIED  COLOURED  ILLUSTRATIOxNS, 

JCNTIRHLY    NKV,',    If  A,NV    OF   WHICH    AKS   FROM   OBIOINAI,  DKSIONR, 

EXECUTED  IN  THE  BEST  STYLE,  BY  THE  MOST  EMINENT  AHTJSTS 


BOSTON: 
D  A  y  IH)  N     AND    VV  E  N  T  W  O  R  T  H , 

86    WASHINGTON    STREET. 

I8r>r). 


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•.v;.. 


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ENTERED,  ACCORDING   TO   ACT   OF   CONGRESS,  IN  THE  YEAR  ISTA,  BY 

DAYTON   AND  WENTWORTII, 

IN  THE  CI-ERK'S  OFFICE  OF  THE  DISTRICT  COURT  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 


FOUXPRY  OF  S.  ANnRI's    AXD    SO.V 

iiartkord; 
VV.  C.  Amistron?,  Typrnfraphcr. 


^V.  8.  WILLIAMS'S 
PRESS. 


PREFACE. 


FnoM  the  size  of  this  volnmo,  us  compared  with  the  v;iiicty  and 
fxloiit  of  the  Kubjects  under  ex.imimitioii,  it  will  Le  readily  perceived 
that  niiiiiiteiioss  of  detail  has  been  impossible. 

In  disei'ibiniif  the  adventures  and  proceedings  of  the  pioneers  in 
the  settlement  and  civilization  of  the  Western  Continent,  the  interest- 
ing nature  of  the  narrative  im'y  liave  led  the  antlmr,  in  sonic;  instances, 
away  fann  tiie  immediiite  object  of  his  attention,  viz:  the  nnnncrs, 
peculiarities,  and  history  of  the  aboriginal  inhabitants.  He  trusts,  Innv- 
cver,  that  where  this  may  ajipear  to  be  the  ease,  it  will  generally  bo 
found  to  hav(!  resulted  from  the  inseparable  manner  in  which  the;  his- 
tory of  the  natives  and  those  who  have  supplanted  them  is  interwoven. 

kSo  f;r  as  has  proved  convenient  or  practicable,  loralikics  will  l)e 
found  to  be  in  such  a  manner  pointed  out  or  referred  to,  that  the  reader 
who  is  ordinarily  well  acquainted  with  the  geography  of  the  country 
will  seldom  be  at  fault.  Upon  this  point,  the  opening  of  the  fifth 
book  of  '-The  True  Travels,  Adventures,  and  Observations  of  Cap- 
taine  Inhn  Smith,"  is  worthy  the  attention  of  all  historieal  writers.  It 
runs  til  us: 

"IJefore  we  present  you  the  m  ;tters  of  fact,  it  is  fit  to  ofTer  to 
your  view  the  St.ige  whereon  they  were  acted;  for,  as  Geography  with- 
out History  seemeth  a  carkasse  without  nuition,  so.  History  without 
Geogr  phy  wandereth  as  a  Vagrant,  without  a  certaine  habitation." 

The  wiirks  whi/li  have  been  carefully  examined  by  the  author  in 
th"  pi'ONciMition  of  his  design,  and  from  which  most  of  the  facts  em- 
bodied in  this  oulli.'ie  of  history  and  description  have  been  obt.ined, 
are  the  following: 
Aiiii'riciin  Ai,li(]'iiiii's  1111(1  IJc'i'iirclit's  iiild  ;  Tho   N,'ilnr:>l    Hisliiry   of  i\I:;ii ;    liy  J.-imuii 


liic  Or  i,'il il  lll^ll 


iT  Oil-  lU'il  11:104;: 


liV  Alcx:iMili'r  W.  r.iiKir.ird  ; 


Ciiwli's  I'ricliiiril  ; 
I.i'Uors  iiiul  Nnlcs  (III  till-  !\Iiin'i('is,  Ciisloms, 
Tliu   lliiiL;iM|ihy  iiml   lli>|i)ry  (if  Uii'   Inilhiris  j      Uliil  Ciiidilioii  nl'  tin'  .N.>i  l!i  Aliicr.Cilll  In- 
ul' NdiUi  Aiiioi'ica;  bj  Ir^amucl  (J.  Drake  ;  i     (iiiiiis;  liy  (iuiir^'c  Cilliii ; 


Ml 


f  M 


IT" 


rUKFACK. 


Tho  History,  Condition,  mid  Pro!<pcct»  of  lti<! '  f'toiu'V  I.lfi'  of  Jos,  llrfinl— Tlmycn.1iinPU''»; 

Inilliiii  Tiilii'H  of  llio  I'liilcd   Sliilc";   l)y  '  .Mi'inoir'd  of    Williiim    Pi'iin ;    liy    'I'lioiiuia 

ll.nry  U.  StliooliTiil'l,  I,t-.  I);  j     Cliiikson; 

The  I'li.icil  Si.iIih'  r,\|ilorliii,'  J',x|icilitioii ;    llcclicwi'lilorN  Nari'iilivc  of  Die  Mi'-«ion  of 

by  (Joiiiiiiiiiiilcr  ('liaili'.i  WilUi'x;  j     lli<'  I'liiliil  Itrclliri'ii  mnoiii,' the  Hcliiwure 

liiillaii  llii>i,'ni|iliy ;  l>y  It.  II,  Tliiu'lici",  mid  .MiiIii'l;iiii  IihIIuiis; 

Mc  ImIo^Ii'm  Hook  of  tliL>  lridiiiii.s;  j  Tli<-  Mfo  of  William  Henry  llnrrlHoi),  with  a 

Triivi'lrt  of  Ciipl.  Jniiiillmii  Carvrr  tliroiiijli  j      llislorj  of  tliu  Wars  with  tiic  Itrlti^ll  and 

thd  Interior  of  North  Anierieii,  in  U7iV-7-8;        Indian!*  on  onr  Noilh-we- tern  rronlierx; 
Indian  War-i  of  the  United  Statist;  hy  VVii- .  Tlu;  Adventure  '  of  Daniel   Iloone;  liy  iho 

liani  V.  Moore;  nuthor  ol  I'ncle  I'hilipV  Conversalions; 

T)io   llif<tor,y  of  tlio  Conquest  of  Mexico;  ,  The  lli^lory  of  tlie  Ainerii'an   Indians;  l)y 

from  till' S|iani>li  of  Dun  Antonio  Do  Solis; ,     Jiimes  Adair,  fir  forty  years  ii  rusiduul 
Tim  Coni|Me>t  of  Mexico;  hy  liernal  Diaz;     and  trader  amnni,' tliem  ; 

d(d  Castillo,  Uei,'idor  of  thu  city  of  (Juatc-  J  Cohlietl's  r,il'e  of  Andrew  Jackson  ; 

main,  written  in  1508 i  Tho   History  of  Georgia;   by  Cajit.    Ilm,di 

rrescotl'H  Contpiest  of  Mexico;  j      McCall; 

Concpiest  of   .Mexico   and  Peru;    Harper's  j  The  Adventures  of  ('apt.  Iloniieville  in  tho 

scuiea  (jf  Tales  from  American  History ;  Far  West,  and  auneni,'  the  Koiliy  .Moun- 

Uoberlsoii's  lli>lory  of  America;  j     tains;  liy  Wa^hinulon  Iiviii\' ; 

The  Invasion  and  ('(iii(|UC'st  of  I'loriihi,  uii-  [  Cox's  .Adventures  on  liie  (-'uliimliia  Itiver; 

dnr  Hernando  de  Soto,  written  by  a  gen-  :  liarrow'.sVoya^'es  of  Discovery  and  Kesearch 

tieman  of  the  town  of  Klvas;  wiiliin  tlio  Arctic  Ketjinnsi; 

Irving'.s  Conquest  of  Tlorida;  J  Back's  N.arralivo  of  the  Arciic  Land  I'.xpo- 

Tlio  Territory  of  Florida ;  by  John  Lee  Wil-  j     ditlon ; 


Gieniiland,  tho  Adjacent  Hen*,  and  tlie  North- 
west Passa;,'!!;  by  Rern.ard  O'Ueilly  ; 

Parry's  Joiirn.'il  of  a  .'second  voyii'.-e  for  tho 
Discovery  of  a  North-west  Pas:-iii,'e; 

Inland  Expedition  to  tliu  .Arctic 


Mains; 
Tin'  True  Travel?,  Advpiiti're*:,  and  Observn- 

lioiis  of  Ciiptaiiie  F  ihii  ymilli ;  from  the 

Loudon  edition  of  KiJ'J; 
The  Life  of  Onptain  John  Smith;  by  W.  G.  i  Mackenzie' 

Simula;  !     (Icean; 

Tlie  History  of  the  Indians  of  Connecticut;  j  Purclias,  his  Pilgrimaso; 

liy  John  \V.  D((  1-oiiost;  Tliu  .Modern  Traveller;  by  Jo.«iah  Condor, 

Baylie's  Jlemoiis  of  Plymouth  Colony ;  |      Articles  on  South  America  ; 

Barber's   llisioiical  Colleciions,  in   Masfu- ;  Spanish  .America;  by  K.  H.  Bonnycastle; 

chussetts  and  Connecticut;  !  Ir\iii!,''s  Life  of  Columbus; 

The  Rev.  William  Ilulibard's  Narrative  of    Indian  Tribes  of  Guiana;   by  R(!V.  \V.  H. 

tho  Indian  Wars  in  New  EiiLjlaiid  ;  writ- 1      IJrelt ; 

ten  in  177.') ;  \  .Alexander  do  IIu:nboldl'3  Travels  in  Smith 

The   History  of  Philip's  War;   by  Tliomns        America; 

Church,  a  .son  of  (.'apt.  Benjamin  Church  ;  (  Prescott's  (Jnnfinest  of  Peru  ; 
New   Kii!,'laiid's    Memorial;    by   Naiiianiel    Travels  in  Peru ;  by  Dr.  J.  J.  Von  TschudI, 

Mortoii,  pulilislied  in  1009;  j     translated  from  tlie  (ierman  by  Thoimwina 

The  Publications  of  the  Massachiis-i  Us  His-       Ro.ss  ; 

lorical  Society,  especially  those  relatinij  to    The  Geocirnphical,  Natural,  niul  Civil  Ilis- 

tlie  F.arly  Setllc'iieiils  in  New  Kiii^land ;  j     tory   of  Chili;  by  Ablie  don  J.   Ii<niliii3 

includiiiL;.  amoii!,'  other   documents,  tlii  j     Molina;  translated  from  the  (irit,'inal  Ital* 


neiiilHins  of  0.  Mourt  and  K.   \Vinslov' 
concerniii!,'   the   Pilgrims    at    Plymouth ; 
Letters  and  Wrilini,'s  of  Roger  Williams; 
Gookin's  Historical  Collections, &c.,  &c. 
Schoolcraft's  Notes  on  the  Iroquois; 


ian  by  an  American  (ieiitleman; 
John   Mawu's  Travels    in   the   Interior  of 

Brazil ; 
Head's  Journey  to   tho  Pampas    and  the 

Andes. 


u 


lis- 

if 
the 


i 


I 


CONTENTS. 


OENEUAL    ClIARACTKHISTICS.  paob 

CiiAt'TitR  I.    Ui'ii{lii  uf  thu  Ndi'tli  AiiiKi'iciui  Imliuiisi— Huiuu  of  thuir  General  CiiHtuiuit 

mill  rixiiliiirilicf,, 13 

I'liM' 11.11  II.    lirliK'Km  di'  iliM  liiiliiirii— Their  Wuiipons  and  System  of  Wiuliire— 

'ilinr  LwilKiim'.s,  Uress),  Oriiiiiiitiils,  Ate 25 

Ar.IiaUCAN    ANTIQUITIES. 

I'liAiTKii  I.    rn lied  States' TeiriUiry,  «tc 30 

CiiAi'iKull.     AiituiullieH  uf  iMi'Xieo,  jic 44 

CiiAiTLiii  III.     AiiliiiuitieM  (if  fciiiiitli  Ainci'icii, 4U 

U'llE   AiiOillCrlNES    OF  MEXICO. 
CiiAi'TKii  1,    (Jcneral  Ueinurks — Expedition  of  Orijidva — lleriiiiiido  Cmtez,  ,       ,       54 
CnAi'TEii  II,    lliittlea  with  the  Natives— Coneiliiitory  Intercoin'.si; — Donnil  iMiiiiiiii,    .    Oi 
(MiAi'iHii  HI.    Coinniunicutioiw  with  the  Mexiciiu  Kmpeior — Tlio  '/.eiiiptiulliiiis  and 

I       i.iiiKivisiiiiiiM, as 

I  1      t'iftkpii:it  IV.    The  M.   cli  to  ThiKCidii — Oecupatioii  of  llie  City — (iitat  Ma.-i^iu'ie  ul 
I  I  Llidliila— Kiitraneo  into   the  City  of  Mexieo,  und  Interview  with   .Aloiili/.iinia — 

Description  of  the  Temple,  &.c 77 

C'nAi'TKR  V,  yciznre  and  Ini|iii^iiiiiiiciit  of  Montezuma— Kxeeiition  of  Qnaliiopuru 
and  Ills  C'oinpanions — Oiniiicus  I'm^pcels— Ivxpcdilioii  of  I'liinpliilo  dc  Nai\ai/, — 
Sneci'ss  of  (Jorlez  n^ain^t  him— Ucturii  to  Mfxico — (Milra^e  hy  .Mvaiailo,  and 
C'onsciiiicnt  Troiibk'.'i — Ui'alh  of   Moiitizuiiiu — The   "AotAti    7V(s(i  "— Hatlle   of 

Obtnmha,  and  Arrival  at  TIascala, 87 

CiiAi'TEii  VI.    Preparations  for  the  Attack  on  thiiCily  of  Mexico — niiililiiit;aiidTraiis- 
jiorlation  of  Hri(,'aiilines — Siei;'!  laid  to  the  Cily — Assault  by  llio  Spaniards,  und  their 
Uepulsi — Sncrillee  of  P.-isi.ncr.s — Caiilnie  of  (iaiitiinozin — Coniinest  of  Ihe  (.'ajiilal,    % 
CnierKR  VII.     KcbniidiiiL;  of  the  C'i'y— K.Meiision  of  Spanish  Powers— 'flu;  .Marcli 
to  llondiuas— Kxecuiiun  of  iiautimoziii — Dunna  iMarimi — JIudern  .Mexico,      .        .  ]()ti 

THE    FLOP.IDA    INDIANS. 

CiiAi'TKR  I.  Karly  Kxpedilioiis  of  Spanish  Adventurers — Ponco  dc  Leon— I..  Vela.i- 
((Uez  de  .Avilon— I'aniphilo  de  Naiv:iez — Feriiaiulode  Soto:  his  Laiidin;,'  and  l^stalj- 
llsliment  at  Tampa — Story  of  John  Ortiz,  a  Spanish  Captive  amon;,'  thu  Indians,       111) 

Chai'tek  11.  Pro^'ress  Northward— Contests  with  the  Natives- Vitacluico— Kxpeili- 
tion  to  Ctnifachi(pii— DepartMie  for  the  West, HG 

CiiAi'TKR  III.  Krom  Ihe  Coii(|iiest  by  De  Soto  lo  the  Year  IF18 — Alissionaiy  Opera- 
lions  by  the  Spaniard.s— .Mooie's  Invasion  of  Florida— Howies — Wars  of  Ibl'J- 
Defeat  of  tlu^  Seininoles  by  (General  Jackson, ICJ 

CnAi'ri;H  IV.  Commeiicenient  of  the  late  Florida  War — Treaty  of  Moultrie  Creek — 
Trialy  of  P:iyiie's  l.andiiii,'— Osceola— Def-lriiction  of  Dade's  Command— liattlo  of 
the  Ouillilacuocliie— Conference  Willi  Indian  CI,  el's  by  Oeneral  Caines,   ,        .        .  i'Jfi 

CiiAi'TicR  \'.  Coiidilion  of  y.AA  Florida— (len.  Scott's  CamjiaiLcn— Carrisc  ;.  '.lesiegeu 
on  tln^  ( )uillilaenii(:hie — Occurrences  tliirini;  the  Summer  of  lS3(i — Arrival  of  Creek 
Allii's — Ciiliiiiel  Lane's  Ilxpedilion  from  Tampa — liattlo  of  the  Walioo  Swanij)— 
General  les-uji  apiiointed  to  thu  conunand  in  Florida, 134 


% 


'i 


•       ^  tit. 


>] 


COMTliNTS. 


FKOU 


110 


l't3 


CliAl'Tlcn  V[.  Ptlfiiit  fif  llii'  Pi'iiiltinli-i  Hiiiit)i\v;iril-  KiiriiiiiitiT  on  tlin  Ihitrlirn  I.ii«- 
Icii— (JiililriciRi'  mill  'I'l'ili:!'  villi  lilt!  Iii(lliili!<— Iti  lli'Will  III  (III'  'I'ri'al)  ol   l'il)lii''i 

Lniiihiii;— Ni'iflt'ct  on  tlm  pni't  of  tint  ImliitiiH  in  comply  >vitli  Us  ri'iivlnioiiM— Cup- 
lull',  Hiirii'iMliT,  iiiiil  'rri'iii'lit'i'iiii!)  Hi;i/iiio  of  vuii'iiw  Clilils— Di'iilli  of  Onci'iila— 

Ciilotii  I  TiiyliM's  l'iuii|iiii;;ii, 

CiiAriKii  VII.  Vaii'iiis  Mliiur  |;hi;m,:iiii('|i!h— yiirniiilrr  nl"  I,iiri,'i'  N  iinliii.-i  o|'  jn- 
(Ikiii-<— C'lililliiimiii'ii  of  Di'piril.illmi- — llliind-liiMiiiiU  I'luiii  Cilliii— AHurk  upon  ii 
Coiiipiiiiy  of  Aclurs— St'iiiliiiilu  Cliiil's  briiiij;lii  hack  Inim  lliu  ^Ve^l  In  rrpml  lliitir 
Coliilillim  III  llii'lr  Coinilrjiiu'ii — Colmicl  lliiiiii')'.i  llxpidillim  In  iIid  I'mikIiuUs — 
KikI  of  iliu  War— liiiriiiii!*  fliipptd  VV'ml— NiiiiiLici's  r>tlll  i'i'iiiuliaii(;  in  l*1briil>i|   . 

TIIM    INDIANS    OF   VIUOINIA. 

CuAi'THK  r,  I'xpcditiim  of  AinlJiis  mid  lliulnw— Of  Sir  nictiiinl  CircnvlIU-— Of 
lt.!illiip|oiii(W  (i(i:-iiiill,  Willi  Ciiptiiin  Hmilli  — SililcMicnt  at  .liiinchliiwn — Vi.-il  lo 
!'()« liMlan— Impiiiviilriiod  miil  Dilllciillli';)  of  llic  CwIoiiIsIh— llxplnraliiiii  ol'  llio 
t'liicl:iiliiiiiiiiiy— Sniiili  tukon  I'lisniicr— His 'rrciuini'iit  Ijy  ilio  liidiiiiis,    ,       .       ,151 

C'liAi'Tui  II.  Cuint  of  Powlmiiin— fmllli'H  PrcBcrviition  by  PocalunilHs— .«iippllfi! 
Iiy  till'  liidlniiK— Newport's  Arriv.'il— SinithV  Kxpi'diiiotit  up  llm  CliPMiipfiikc,    .      100 

CiiAi'i  i;ii  III.  Curdiiiilioii  of  I'nwlialmi— Siiillli's  Vi-<il  to  Wcrowncon  oco  lor  I5ii[i" 
plit  s— Ticiirlu'i'y  of  I'owliiilMii— Siiiilli  a  sconiul  limi;  Pri"*!  r\i,'(l  liy  I'.n'ahoiiiim— 
Visit  III  raiiuiiiky— riiilit  Willi  tlm  Kiiii;  >    "iispiilu'wli— AHci'iKliiiiry  of  tint  Kunlisli,  171 

C'iiai''I'Ii:k  IV.  Di.ilR'ss  of  llio  Colonii's— .Martin  and  West's  Peltli'incnts— Arrival  of 
1.111(1  Uu  la  W.iiTo— Hctaljiilions  npon  iliu  Niitivfs— ScizurH  of  PnciitKiiilas:  Hon 
Miirriaui'— rnacc  willi  Ilio  Indians— I'nciiliuntas  visits  ICnaland:  lltT  Di'iith— Death 
111  r.jwiiiiliiii— Pory'a  BettJiinunt, ,        .^81 

(.iiAiTicii  \'.  Iliu  Virginia  .Ma'siicro  of  1022  and  of  10-11  (or  1G14)— Dialh  of  Opo- 
(:liMiK'iiiioiii.;hi I'Jl 

CnM'TKR  VI.   S^initlr;'!  .\ccoiint  of  tlie Numbers,  Appc'iiKiuctMinU  ILibii-Juftlnj  Indians,  l'J4 

NEW  ENGLAND   INDIANS. 

CiiAi'TKR  I.  Conduct  of  tlif  Kiirly  Voyiii,'crs— Arrival  of  iliu  Mny-riowcr— Snmo?ct— 
Ti.-'pmnliiMi — .M.i-i^iisdit — \Vc>ionV(,'i)lo:iy — C'liiinbi  I  lint's  Conspiracy — Trmli'  in  l'"iro 
Arms— TlioK.  MDrlnii — Deiitli  of  Ma.-si:f;oil  iind  .AlrXMinltr,  and  Accession  ol  I'liilij),  199 

CiiAi'Tta  II.  Tlio  NarraKimsotts— Till'  Priinola— Murdur  of  Slono  und  Dldliani— 
r.iiilk'i.lt's  i:x|ndition— Tilt!  Pequut  War— Destruction  of  the  IVquol  Fort— Tlie 
Tribf!  Di~i[iiM>('d  und  t-nlidiii'd, 209 

CnAfrEii  III,  Quarrel  between  the  Narr;i!,Mn!'ett3  iind  Mi  Iipy^ins— Unciis  und  Miiin- 
tiiiilino — Tlie  .Moliegan  Lund  Contioversiy— Sub.-eqiieiil  Cuiidition  of  tlm  Peqnols 
mid  Molie:;iin3, ,  'J19 

CiiAiMKii  IV.  'i'lie  Iiidiiuis  fiirnislied  with  Fire-Arms— Situation  of  tlic  Colonials — 
I'liilip's  Accssion — Mis  Trenties  wilh  tlio  Whiten— Ills  Triiu  Pluns— I'.inissiiries 
H'lit  lu  Piiitkonate — Captain  Benjimiiii  Cliiirch — His  Interview  willi  Awuslumks— 
.^nu■(ler  of  Jdliii  Passainon, 2ii9 

CnAi'TkK  V.  Alliick  on  J^wnnFoy— Collection  of  Troops— rii;ht  at  jMilcb' nriilRu — 
riiili|i  ilrivi  n  from  the  Neck— Cluircli  iit  Piiiilialuse — Meitrnction  ol  riooklleld,     .  21)7 

CiiAi'rKii  VI.  I'liilip  moves  Westward— AtliicUs  on  Iluilley  iind  DeerlleM— CJoITi!  tho 
Keyicide — iJeslrnclion  of  Liillirop'sCoinnnind  — AssmiiUhoii  Spriiu^field  iind  liallleld 
—  Ilxpidition  atjuiiist  tliu  Niirrat;unsetts :  CnlragiMUi.sCriii  Hies  in  their  Kediiclioii — 
Philip  on  till!  Hudson — Deslriict'iiof  Lancai'ler,  Medileld.Seekoiil;,(;i-oton,  Warwick, 
Marlboroiiijli,  &.c.— Canonchel  taken,  and  put  to  Death — Furlhur  linliun  Ravayes,    210 

CuAl'TER  VII.  Philip's  Return  to  Pokanoket— .Major  Talcolt's  Successes- Clinrcli 
Coinini-.,-.i(iiied  liy  Ilio  Court  at  Plynionth — His  Interview  with  Awoshoidcs;  with 
the  Sonkonales  at  t-'aiiiUvich — His  Canipaitrn  iifjainst  llio  Indians— Philip  sicn  :  his 
Will'  and  Son  luUeii— Death  of  Weelaniore,  Queen  of  Pucasset— De.Uh  of  Pliilip,  .  250 


I 


J 


"il 


CON  TK  NTS.  7 

CiMPTKR  VIII.     Piimilt  (if  Aniiiiwoii  iiinl  llli  Pnily -J>iirlii.(  In  ccilurc  of  Ciiplii'ii 
•  liiircli— llmli'l'  llii-  War,  1111(1  Kiuul  Difiioml  (d'PiiHiiH'rH— r*iiiiim,iry  ol'lliu  fi)l(ii!i:il 


\.i 


%7 


J 


I'lMrim  l.\.  Ilic  i;.iHicrii  liidinriM— Tin  ir  rricndl)  Di'^piiKiilKii— Sci/jiri-  nC  lliiw( 
jinplii'iilcd  ill  Pliili|i"n  <;(iii,.piiiicy— I'Vi'iH'li  iiiiil  liidiiiii  V\  iir  ;ii  lllHll  — AUiiik  uli  <'(i« 
cliccii  -MuiiiiM- 1)1'  Miijiir  VViiIili'oii— Wiir  ol'  170'.*— Cliiircii'i*  Lnil  CumiuilKU— \\  ur 
of  I'lVi.'-Ciiptiiln  Jciliii  Ldvowfll, 'JTS 

T)iK  IIUK.inOTS.   on    SIX    NATIONH 
CiiM'i  rn  I.    Oniu'ralOulllncsdf  Cliiiriu'tcr,  kc— linprt'Mtldin  (if  tlio  liiliiibltniit*  nf 

Ni'w  i;iii;liiii'l  rc>p(  ciiiiij  ihc  Ii'iKpmis — (Iiiiani'iilii:  111m  Spcccli  tii  M.dc  In  Hiirrc,     tlHO 
CjiAi'TiiR  II.     liiKiimis  Tnidili'iii   ri'liillvc  lit  llicli'   I'lpriiicr  llisUii)  — A  liner  Ac- 

niiiiiit  nf  th«  (llfll'i'i'iit  Iribi'K  bclonKlir^  to  thu  L'oiill'dcrai'y,  iiiid  llic  iiuiiiiiii'iir  ilu  Ir 

riilim— IticidciilH  of  I'nrly  Wiuriirc, iJf'O 

('ii\riKii  III.    liiipDiluiit  <;iiiini(;lorH  mid  r.vi.'iils  of  Itic  nishtcciilli  Century— nriiiil  — 

CicsMpN  Wiir,  iiiid  Ilisliiry  (if  l.iii'iiii,   .        ,        .        , '."'.■» 

CiiAi'iKR  IV.    IIl^<t(<l'y  (jf  llrtuil  I'ltntimicd :  Odiiiicxluii  of  tlio  (*ix  Nutioiii  Willi  tliu 

Will' (if  llio  Ami-j'ieuM  Rttvoltilloii, ^li'i 

('n\i-i'KR  V.    Cdiilimiiition  (if  R''voliili(iii.iry  Iiicidciito, ;M:1 

t'liAi'iKR  VI.    Cciicinl  >'iilliviiiiV  ('iuiip:ii!^ii  ir,Miii3l  llio  InKiiiois— SubscqiR'iit  VVm- 

likc  I  »|irriiiioiiM  of  till' Niitldii", Ii'.'l 

riiM'ii.ii  VII.    Cduditicjii  df  till!  Six  Nnlldiis  Hiib»P(pi('iit  to  tlio  Ruvoliiliou— Conclii- 

sidii  df  llraiil'a  Ilisldry— Ui'd-.lii('k(!t  mill  f-drn-Pliiiitcr, 

CiiAi'Tiiii  VIII,    Pri'soiit  Coiiditiim  of  the  Six  Ni4limis 

FoK  i'lAi'  s  v;aii, 

Cmm'tkr  I.    Ficiicli  Innr.'Mion  ovor  the  Iiidinns— Ilritlch  Ocpupntlon  of  tlio  Woslei'ii 

I'dih— Pdatiiic,  iiiid  his  Pliiiis  fur  cxli'i'iniiiiitiii^' lli(?  Kii'^'lisli, 

CiiAi'TKK  II.    Sii'go  of  DLlrdit--15iitllo  of  llldddy  IJiidijc, 

THE  DELAWARl'iy.  SITAWAKEE.S, 
AND  ornEB  TutriKfi  op   the  ijinnr.K  a-nh  westkrn  states. 

CiiAPTER  I.  The  nolnwiii-c!"— VVilliimi  Pciiii— !<t.  Tiiminiiiiy— Tho  Muniviiiiis— Tho 
Sliuwniiccs— I'rciich  imd  hidiiiii  VViir— UriKidock'i  Ui^li'iit— .Mussiicro  of  Hit*  Cints- 
ldi,','l  liidiiiiis— I):iiiiid  lldoiic,  ....  lUa 

CiiAi'TER  II.  Uivisidii  ol'llin  Dulawaii's— VVhiif'-Eyc:^,  niid  Pipu— liidiiiii  CdiiffiU  r.icy 
of  1781— Altiick  oil  liryiiiit'a  Siiitlon,  and  nmile  neiir  tho  IJhio  Licks— (Ji'iicral 
f 'liii-kf'd  Kxpi^dilidn— Disiisti'dim  Cmn[).ii!;ii  of  lliiniiar  niid  HI.  Clair— .Mililmy  Opcrii- 
lidiis  dr(;c>'L:nil  Wiiyiu! — Decisivt;  Itallli'  near  the  .Mauii'.co  Rapids,  ami  siihM'ic.icnt 
'I'lcaty  df  Pt'iice, litil 

I'll  u'lKR  III.  Cdiidilinii  of  the  Indians  siihspqniMit  to  thr^  Peiico— Tho  Pinphit  I'ixlv- 
wiilnwu— Ti'cuniSfh :  His  Plans  and  Intriniiifs— {jcncral  Ilnrrison's  KxpiMliiiim 
siirainst  Ihu  Proplu-l's  town— Defeat  of  Ww  Indians  at  Tippec-aiido — War  dl'  I.-*!-,'  — 
Ilarrisdirsi  Invasion  of  Canada— llallli!  of  the  Tlianies,  and  Dealh  df  Tei'iiniHeli,      .  308 

('MAIM  nu  IV.  Acquisitiun  iind  Sale,  by  the  I'liiled  Hialcs,  di'  liiilian  Land  in  llliiidii 
—  l;i,ic,li-IIawk— Tilt!  .-'acM  icnidved  west  df  ihi!  MiMsi.ssipiii— Return  of  l!iacl;-llawk 
and  his  Followers- Defeat  of  Major  Slillman— The  lloslilo  Indians  pursued  by  At> 
kinsiii  and  Diidife— Their  Defeat  on  tho  bank  of  iho  Mississippi— Illack-lliuvk's 
Knncnder — llo  is  taken  to  Washington— His  f?ub^('(iueiit  Career,  .        .       .       .      370 

INniAT^TS  (U-^  THE  SOUTH  i^.RN   STATES. 
CiiAi'TKR  I.    Early  Location,  Nntnliers,  Cliaracter,  &c.,  of  tlieCatawbas;  of  thu  ITppor 
iiiid    Lower  Clieidkecs;  iif  ilio   Muscdice«s   or  Creiks;  of  tbe   Clnic'laws;  of  llie 
Chicka.«aws— I'lench  War  with  the  Nulchuz  and  Cliickasaws, ;1B3 


:tJ7 
3:!U 


311 


■   \ . 

■  V 


l^  11 


X 

■I 

Ii 


\'wi^ 


Vp''\ 


^A 


< 


•• 


i 


b  CONTENTS. 

PAOB 

CiiAi-TER  II.  Colonization  of  (Jooiciii— Eiiily  IiitiTcoiirso  willi  the  Niilivcs — Tonio- 
cliichi— liitiiijiica  ol'llu)  Kcvcrt'iid  Thomas  liosomwortli— Chcroki'o  Wiir  of  n.VJ— 
Altiikulliikiilla  and  Occonostota— Murder  of  Indian  Iloslat;i'3— Colonel  Monlgoni- 
(  ry'y  Kxpcdilion — Destruction  of  the  Eaptern  Cherokee  Towns— Batllo  near  Ktclioe 
— Ca[)i(ulation  at  Fort  London — Indian  Treachery — Cainjiaign  of  Colonel  Grant, 
and  Complete  Reduction  ol  the  CherokecH, 300 

CiiAi'TEU  111.  Ciiplain  i^teunrt's  A^'ency— Disturbance  in  17G7— Visit  of  Tecumseh  to 
t!i(^  Southern  Tribes — WealherTord— Sack  of  Tort  Mimnis— War  of  1813— ♦Jenend 
Jackson's  Cauijiaign — Battles  on  the  Tallusahatchee;  atTalla(let,'a,  Aulossec,  &c. — 
The  Hallibeea— Defeat  of  the  Indians  nt  Hor8e,-Shoe  Bend— End  of  the  War,  .        .  402 

CiiAPTEH  IV,  The  Removal  of  tluiCherokees  west  of  the  Mississippi— I'li'sent  Luca- 
tion  and  Condition  of  the  other  Tribes  of  the  Southern  Slates,       .        .        .        .411 

NORTHKRN  RACES. 

Chapter  I.  The  Esquimaux :  their  Manni'rs  and  Per^()nal  Appearance — Accounts 
of  Early  Voyasors — Esiiuinianx  lliihilalions,  Eood,  &c.— Tlie  Kuiuk  or  Canoe — 
Seiilintt — Tlie  Rein  leer— Ums  of  tlie  Dol?— Patriiirclial  Coveniment— Eflecls  of 
Eoi'eign  liUerc(jurs(.. 410 

CiiAi'-rKK  II.  The  E:-q  limaux  of  iNlelviJle  PeMijisula— Tlieir  Sluliire  ainl  Cnstunie — 
Snow  lluls  and  their  Eurnituie— IniplemcMils  (nr  Ilmiliui;  and  Seulint;— Menial 
Traits, 426 

CiiAi'TER  111.    Tlio  I'nisteneaux,  Chijjpewas,  &c 4'.)1 

VARIOUS    NATIONS  AND   TRIBES 

BETWEEN    THE    MISSISSIPPI    AMD    'J'lIE    PACIFIC    OCEAN. 

Ctiapteu  T.  The  Sioux  or  Dahcotas,  and  other  Tribes  of  the  same  Race:  Classifica- 
tion— The  IMandans:  Tlieir  Number,  Siiualionj  Villages,  &,c. — Their  Cemeteries — 
Aflectionato  Remembrance  of  the  Dead, •        .      4\n 

Chai'tkr  II.  Personal  Appearance  and  Peculiarities  of  the  Mandans— Their  IIos[)i- 
tality  and  Urbanity— Their  Cleanliness  of  Person — Their  Uress— Portraits  of  Mun- 
dan  Chiefs — Cuntrasl  between  the  Wild  Tribes  and  those  of  the  Erontier — Mandan 
Domestic  Usages— (.iamev  and  Dancis — Trainiu!;  of  the  Vouth — Tlu;  (Jreat  Amnnd 
Religious  Ceremony — The  Mandans  su|)i)ose(l  to  be  of  Welsh  Descent-Annihila- 
tion of  thu  Tribe  by  the  Small-pox,      4K 

CiiAi'TER  III.  The  Si(mx,  continued— Their  M(]de  nf  Life— M:ternal  AITection- Ex- 
j.osure  of  the  Aged — The  famous  Quarry  of  Red  Pipe-stone— Nature  of  this  .Ma;iTial 
— Indian  Superstilions  respi'ding  it — The  Bison  or  Bulfalo — lloi'si'S  of  the  India)is — 
Various  Modes  of  Hunting  llu^  Bullalo— Wasd'I'ul  Destruction  of  the  Herds,        .      '\'m 

CuArTEU  IV.  Indians  of  the  (Ireat  Western  Prairies— Their  Summer  tmd  Winter 
Lodges— The  Medicine-Bag— The  Crows  and  Blackfeet— Races  Hostile  lo  tlu'  latter 
Tribe — Fortitude  of  a  Blackl'oot  Warrior — The  Crow  Chief  Arapooish  and  hisC'uest 

—  Indian  Conceptions  of  a  Perfect  Country — Slory  of  Lorello  and  his  Indian  Wile — 
Adventures  of  Kosuto,  a  Blackl'oot  Warrior 40:l 

Ciiai'tkr  V.  Tribes  on  the  Columbia  and  its  Tributaries— The  Nez-Perces— Their 
Religious  Character — The  Walla-wallas— The  Chinooks— .Mode  of  Flattening  the 
Head — The  Boloipie — Canoee  of  the  Tribes  on  the  Lower  Waters  of  llie  Columbia 

—  Fishing— Houses  of  the  Flat-heads, 473 

CiiAPTKR  \'L    The  Sh(j-honees,or  Snake  Indiaus— The  Shoshokoes,  or  Rnot-diygers — 

iv\lent  of  Country  occupied  by  the  Snakes — 'fhe  Canumches :  Their  Horsennuiship, 
Mode  of  Life,  Dwellings,  &c. — The  Pawnee  Pids— The  Nubajos  and  Moq  les,  477 


i 


i^ . 


|i     .L. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Timid- 
17.')'.)— 

itgdlU- 

Grant, 

,      300 
iscli  to 

ll'.UL'I'ill 

,&c.— 

.  402 

.      411 


•(•(Hints 
iincx^ — 
ccts  of 

.  416 
tninc — 
Mental 
.      4-26 

.  4;u 


iisfi'ilica- 
It'i'ies — 

.      4v7 

IldPIii- 

f  iMan- 

rVininal 
niliilii- 

.  'IK 
n— Ex- 
lla.i'i'ial 
ians — 

.      4,1,-) 
N'intci' 
■  liiltcr 
(iiicst 
VilV— 

.  4liH 
Tlioir 
In;;  tlio 
iin\biii 

.      473 
uicrs— 
n>iliil), 
,s,  477 


S  0  U  T  II     A  .\[  E  \[  I  C  A . 


TRIBES    OF    THE    WKST    INDIES, 

A;ID    TllK     NOHITIKUN    rROVINCEU    OF    SOD'IIl    AMK.IiK^A.,  T :.   ■» 

Chapter  I.  jiidiiins  first  wen  by  Colnnibiis— Lanclinij  ut  Cuannhani— Natives  of 
Cuba— E.nbassy  to  the  Grand  Kabn  I— Discovery  of  Ilayti,  and  Intercourse  with 
the  Nativ'-'s-Guacjinai^ari— Wreck  dl'  the  .Admiial's  Vessel— Ilinesly  and  Ilo-'pi- 
talily  of  tli'^  N'alivo  Inlialtilanis— Trade  for  fiold— Itulldinu;  of  tb(!  Fortress  of  l-a 
Navidad — Dejiarlure  (pf  tlie  Nina — Tliu  C'iL,'nayaiis — Disorders  and  Deslnictioii  of 
the  (Jarrisun  at  I-a  Navidad— I'orl  of  St.  Thomas, 487 

CuArTKR  II.  Indian9(jfJatnaica— Cruise  along  the  Southern  C(jast  of  Cuba — Speccli 
of  an  Indian  Counselh)r — Diflicidties  at  the  Fortress  of  St,  Tlioinas — Its  Sie^'o  l)y 
Caonabo— Efforis  of  Cohnnhus  to  restore  Order— Great  llisini;  of  the  Indians  of 
Ilis|ianiola — Their  Defeat — Tril)iil(!  Imposed — Visit  of  Harlliolomew  to  Xara^Miiiy — 
I'lirllier  Insurrection  in  the  Vena — lioltadilla  as  Viceroj, — Cruellies  practised  on  the 
Indians — Las  Casas — Iiicidenls  related  hy  I'urchas — Administration  of  Ovandn — 
Kxpedition  against  Xara','uay— Ileduction  of  lliguey, 495 

Chai'ter  111.  The  Cariba — Their  Islands  First  Visited  by  Coluinbns — Origin  and 
I.oc.'itioii  of  the  Rac(^— Tokens  (.f  C'annibali.-in  seen  by  the  Spaniards — Cruise  amo!:;; 
the  Isiands — Demeanor  of  Prisoners  taken— lieturn  to  lllspaiiiola — Deslructiou  of 
the  Forlre>s  at  that  Island— Capture  of  Caonabo:  II  is  Uealh — Kxjiulsion  of  thi^  N.i- 
tives  from  the  Caribheu  Islands, .'DO 

CiiAiTKR  IV.  Indians  of  Guiana  and  Venezuela — Classillcation — The  .Arawaks— 
First  seen  by  Columbus — Kiilry  into  the  Gulf  of  Paria— Ilospilnlily  of  the  Natives 
— Ualeinh's  Visit  to  the  Orinoco— Early  Wars  of  the  Arawaks— Victory  over  the 
Caribs — Maroon  Negroes — Presc'Ut  Condilion  of  the  Arawaks— Other  Tribes  of  tiie 
Interior — General  Uescriptiou, ' jl'J 

THE    ABORIGINES    OP    PERU. 
CliAPTKR  I.     Physical  Peculiarities  of  the  Quichiias,  Aymara>.,  Atacamas,  and  Chan- 
gos — Nature  of  thi^  Country- Peruvian  Works  of  Art.  &c.  — First  Riinmrs  of  the 
Wealth  of  the  CourUry  — Kxpedition  of  Pascual  de  Anihu,'oya — Francisco  Pizarro: 


His  First  Voya>;e  of  Discovery — .\inia?;ro's  V( 


-Ctuuracl  of  Pizarro,  Almai'ro, 


and  Liujue — The  Second  Kxpedition— Pizarro  aiul  hi<  Ciunp.'mioiis  upon  llu;  Isle  of 

Goryona — Continuation  of  the  \'oyin,'e — Return  to  Panama, , 

Chai'TKi;  II.     .MylholoLcical  Traditions — 'I'opa  Inca  Vupanchi,  and  his  Sou  Ihiayna 


>-M 


Capac — Tlu^  p. 


"uvian  Capiiii 


-ReliL,'ious  System — (MjvernmeMt — Aijrarian  I, aw — 


Ek'unas — Public  Records:  The  "  Qiiipii^^ — Agriculture — Marriages — Warlike  Policy 
of  the  Ineas — Th(!  Great  Rdiids— C(Uitenlnu'nt  of  the  Natives — Division  of  the  F,m- 
pire:   lluascar  and  Alahuallpa — Contest  for  Supremacy, ')'M 

CiiAi'TKR  HI.  Pizarro's  Visit  to  Spain,  and  .Viijilication  to  the  Emperor — His  Fom- 
Hrolhers — Funds  procured  for  a  New  ICxpedition  to  Peru — N'rssels  a^ain  litled  out 
ut  Paiiama^ — Laudingof  the  Spaniards  upon  the  Peruvian  Cou.  I — Plunder  atCo,'i(|Ue 
— The  March  towards  Tiimbez — Baltles  on  the  Isle  of  Puiui — Tumbez  Deserted- 
Settlement  of  San  Miguel — March  into  the  Interior — Passage  of  the  Andes— Mes- 
siiLTes  from  .Atahuallpa — Kniry  into  Caxamaica, 5-lL' 

I'liAi'TiiR  IV.  First  Interview  wuh  tin;  Inca— Plaiis  lor  his  Capture — Entry  of  Ala- 
huallpa into  C'axamaica — .Address  of  the  Chaplain— ,\t(iick  hy  Ihe  Spaniards: 
Fearful  .Massacre  of  the  Natives,  and  Seizure  of  the  Inca— Prisoners  and  Plunder 
ubluined — The  Promiseii  Rauboni — Hernando   Pizarro's  Visit  to  Pachacamaca — 


f\ 


!  i 


1 

1 

10 


CONTENTS. 


PAoa 
Challcuol.inift — Mpssengcrs  sent  to  Cu/.cm— Iinnienso  Treasure  colk'ctcd  at  Caxii- 

iniilcii — Trial  mid  Murder  of  Ataliiiiill|m, 551 

CuAHTEit  V.  March  ((jwanls  Ciizi'o— Opiioisilinn  of  tlit>  Natives — Deatli  of  Toparca, 
iiikI  MiinUr  of  Cliallcucliima— .Maiico  tJapac— I'.iilry  iiilc  tin'  Capital— llooly  ob- 
laiiit'd— Kscape  of  Maiico,  and  (jtiitiral  Iiisiirjection — S)ic"j  ui  (.Uizco — Ruvoisoa  of 
the  t'patii.'irds— Civil  Wars — I'urtlier  Iloslililics  of  Maiico  Capac— Cruel  Trealniciit 
of  the  Natives— Death  of  Manco  Capac— Reforms  under  Pedro  de  la  (Ja^ea— Tupac 
Amaru— luBurructiou  of  1781- Present  Cuiidilioii  of  the  I'eniviau  Indians,      .        .  5G3 

THE   ARAUCANIAN    KACE 

Chapter  I.  Their  I.ocatiDii,  Appearaiiev,  &c.— Purclias'  Description  of  Cliili— Divi- 
sion of  the  Tribes— Peruvian  C(im|uesis— Agriculture,  Arts,  6i.c.,  atucnig  the  Natives 
— Aliiiagru's  Invasion — Kxpedition  of  Pedro  do  Valdivia — Foiiiidini,'  of  St.  Jago— 
Hattles  with  thu  Majiochinians — Destruction  of  Sj,anish  Miners— Peace  with  the 

Proiiiaucians, 574 

CiiAi'TKR  It.  'I  ii(!  Araucaiiians  Proper— Cliaracler  iind  Habits  of  tlie  Tribe — Houses 
luid  Dress- •t>ecLioiial  Divisions  and  Coverniueiit— System  of  Wart'are— Courage 
and    Aiilitary   t^tcill— Religious   Belief  tuid  Superstitious- Patriotism    and   Public 

tipiril  of  the  Natives— Molina's  Eulogiuin,  . 579 

CnAi'ii'.K  ill.  Army  sent  to  Oppose  the  Progress  of  tho  Siianiards—Batllo  on  the 
Adaiien— Lincoyan's  Cainpaigii — Valdivia's  Murch  Soiilhward— Foundation  of  Val- 
divia.  and  ICslablisluneiit  of  Ports  in  the  Araucanian  Territory — The  Natives  roused 
by  Colocolo — CaiipolicMii  nia<le  Toqui — His  Successes — Great  Victory  over  the 
Hj)::niards— Deatli  of  Va!di\ia  -Invasion  of  Arauco  by  Villagran — His  Defeat — 
Di^truction  of  Conception — Laulaio's  Fatal  Kxpedition  Against  Santiago,  .  .  585 
CiiAPiEK  IV.  Don  (;aicia  de  Mendoza;  Ills  K'lublishmeiit  at  Quiriqnina — Fort  of 
Mount  Pinto  attacked  by  Caupolican— Don  (Jarcia's  Invasion  of  Arauco;  His 
Cruellies — Kxpedition  to  Chiloe — .Artful  .Management  of  tlu'  Clinches — Seiziu'e  and 
Cruel  death  ot  Cau|)olican— Subspquent  Successes  of  the  Spaniards— Retreat  of  the 
Natives  to  the  Marshes  of  Lunuico — Indian  Victory  at  .Mount  Mariguonii — General 

Summary  of  Succeeding  Hostilities, 504 

CiiAi'Tiiii  V.  Viciioyalty  of  Martin  Loyola— Paillaniaclui— Renewal  of  the  War — 
Loyiila  Slaiit— '■'eiieral  liisiirrectiou  i.A'  the  Natives— The  Spaniards  Driven  from  the 
Country  South  of  the  Hio-liio — Bloody  Campaigns  under  several  successive  Toquis 
—Peace  of  1040- Ten  Years'  Wui— Subsequent  Treaties  and  Hostilities— Present 
Position  of  the  Araucaiiians, C03 

INDIAN    TRIBES    OF    BRAZIL. 

CiiAPTicR  I.  Pliysicnl  Characteristics— Pinzon's  Discoveries — Landing  of  Pedro  Al- 
varez Cabral  upon  tlie  liriizilian  Coast — Expedition  under  Vespiicius— Cannibalism 
—Colonization  of  the  Country,  and  Wars  with  the  Natives— Fate  of  Juan  tie  Soils, 
111  the  F.sluiiry  of  La  Plata— Settlement  of  Bahi.i  deTodos  Santos  by  Diogo  Alvarez 
— The  Jesuits— Particulars  of  the  Camiibal  Projiensities  of  the  Natives— The  Boto- 
riidos.      .       ■        ■ CO!i 

t;iiAi'Ti:R  II.  Success  of  the  Portuguese  Against  the  Nidives— Their  Contests  with 
Settlers  from  other  Countries  of  Europe— English  Colony  at  Paiaiba— Expulsion  of 
Giiaraiii  Tribes  from  their  Country  on  La  Plata— Division  of  Brazilian  Nations — 
Daily  Routine  of  Indian  Life  in  the  Fore.-ts— Reflections, CI9 

THE  PAMPAS    INDIANS 
Their  Ilorsemanr-hii)— Their  Mode  of  Life— Sir  Francis  Head's  Pi^-icription  of  the 
Kacc—Femule  Cajjlives  among  the  Indians— Trading  Visits  to  European  SettUv 


PAOB 

[Jaxa- 
.      551 

iiircn, 
y  ob- 

st'ti  of 

llllL'Ilt 

I'liimc 

.  503 


-Divi- 

[lltiVCS 
lugD— 

th  tho 


i74 


louses 

imriige 

Public 

I 

oil  tlie 
1)1  Vul- 
ri)uscd 
■er  tho 
efeat— 

Fort  of 

d;   His 

ire  mill 

of  I  ho 

L'uoral 

IWiii— 

nil  tllQ 

KHiis 

'lOSCllt 


370 


585 


594 


C02 


Iro  Al- 

pulisin 
ISolis, 

|villl'Z 

1  Hoto- 

with 
lion  of 

JI13— 


coil 


CIS 


If  tho 

BltUv 


CONTENTS. 


11 


PAI.ft 

monts— Cla-npiflcntion  of  Tribes— Chani^o  in  their  Condition  by  the  Introduction  of 
European  Domestic  AtiiniulB, • fi'JJ 

THE    PATAGONIANS. 

E;ii!y  Exa:?gprntcd  Reports  conccrninc;  lliem— Uaco  to  which  they  belonc;— Natnro 
of  111.!  Cdiinlry— Terra  dol  Fiu'fjn— General  De.-cription  and  Cla.-.-!inc:aIion  of  tho 
liiliiibitaiilH— Caplain  Filzroy's  Narrative— PhyKical  Conformation  of  lUoNalivcs — 
.Scan(ineiJ3  of  their  Clothing— Tlioir  Huts,  Uesourccs  for  Food,  etc.— Fucgians  car- 
ried to  England  by  Fiizroy— Allcmpt  at  llie  Introduction  of  Agriculture  on  tho 
Inland— rccherais  described  in  \Villu>3'  Narrative  of  tiio  United  Slates'  E.xjiluring 
Expedition • r>C9 


INDIAN    POPULATION 
Of  tho  United  Stales  and  Territories, 


IMPORTANT   ERAS    AND   DATES 
Of  Interesting  Events  in  Indian  History,  ..,.,. 


48,1 


G37 


._./~l 


n 


( I 

n 


4"^ 


jllf:! 


':i 


h- 


':       -II 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


SUBJKCT.  TAliF. 

pRONTisi'iEcK— Iiitcrviow  between  Cortez  mid  Aloiiti'/.iinia, ' 

Indiiiii  l!()\v  and  Arrows,  Harpoon,  liaskct,  Pol,  Howl,  &c., -•! 

Indian  Tomahawk,  Ketlle,  Sjjoon,  Pipes,  &c., -J 

Porlniil  ol'  Montezuma,  In  his  Ma'^'iiillccnt  Rcu'id  Dros, •"' ' 

lleni;iM(l()  Corlez,  IVoiii  an  •)ri:,'in;d  Portrait  by  Tilinii, •"'" 

KxeciUion  ol'  un  Indian  Captive, I-' 

Portrait  of  ()^'C^olil,  llie  Celebrated  Florida  Chief, ■'-"' 

Portrait  of  Captain  John  yniitli,  the  Pioneer  of  Virginia, ••"'- 

PocuhonliiB  Inlerposing  for  the  Life  of  Captain  John  Smilh, lid 

Interview  of  Samuset  with  the  Pilifjims. '-'''D 

Ti^iciinintuTn,  or  (^(luaiito,  the  (Juiile  and  Interj)reter  of  the  Colonii^l'* ■ -"I 

The  Colonists  L^oin;,'  to  Cliureh  armed,  dnriiiL;  the  Early  Indian  Wain, -  II 

Kin','  Ihilip,  llio  Aboriginal  Hero  of  Mount  Hojie, -'if 

Portrait  of  Captain  Benjamin  Church, '-'•> 

Seneca  Lake, -.••") 

Joseph  lirant,  (Thayendankoka,')  of  Wyoming  Notoriety, -".'T 

Red  JacUel,  the  Masterly  Orator  an<l  Chief  of  the  Senecas, lilH 

Hall-Playinfr,  as  practiced  by  the  Western  Tribes, 'Mi 

Portrait  of  William  I'enii,  the  Founder  of  Pemisylvania, 'M.l 

Colonel  (!eore;e  Wasliiuijton,  as  Aid-de-Camp  to  Ceneral  Hraddt.clc, li'i-i 

Border  Encounter,  a  Scene  from  Early  Western  Life, ^liu 

TrapiiinL?  the  Hear, 'MM 

General  Harrison,  surrounded  with  ai)j)ropriato  National  EmbleiiiH, ;!lH 

Tecn.iseli,  the  renowned  Chief  of  the  Western  Tribes, Dd!) 

The  Eagie,  a  Typo  of  Swiftness,  Slrentclh,  and  Superiority, :iii-' 

Indian  Settlement,  rcpresentim,'  their  Costumes,  Tents,  &c., '.".''■) 

General  Jackson  on  his  I'avorile  Wliite  Charger, -tii!) 

Indians  Watcliins  for  Salmon, 4H3 

Indians  niakini;  their  Ofleriiigs  to  the  Dead 411 

Indian  War-Dance,  as  iiraclised  amonLC  the  Mandaiis -118 

Indian  Knc'.;.iipineiit  West  of  the  Mis^issijipi M\'> 

Till'  Misoii,  ge-ierally  called  th(^  lliilTalo 'I?-: 

The  (I'rizzly  Hear,  aboimding  in  llie  North-west  Terrilory, -l.-l) 

BufTalo  Chase,  peculiar  to  the  Western  liidian-i -I-^O 

Portrait  of  Christoplwr  Columbus, l.s'J 

Maqnarri  Pnnce,  in  the  Lower  District  of  Poineroon, h\-l 

An  Indian  Sorcerer  performintr  his  Cerenioiues  over  the  Sick, rii',! 


-, 


% 


s. 


PAOF. 

...         1 

...  -■» 

.  .  .  -■> 

. . .  .vt 

.  .  .  •'*' 

....  l-'l 

, ...  1-" 

.  ...  !•''- 

. ...  M 

'j(m 

. ...  •■iiii 

...  -!  U 


-Til 

■.'r"i 
'J',i7 

:!:h 
•.m:< 
;ii'.t 

Mil 
,  ;?r,i 
.  :itis 


m) 
4:13 

4il 
418 
■Ki.j 

•1,-1) 
.  -l-l) 
.    I.-'.) 


'113 


rM 


:iJ 


INDIAN     RACES     OF     AMERICA. 


GENERAL    CHARACTERISTICS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ORIGIN    OF    TIIK    NORTH    AMKRICAN    INDIANS SOMK    OF    THEIR 

GENERAL    Ctl.STOMS    A.NU    PECUMAKITIES. 

O't'yj  "ffsp  (puXXwv  ysvSr],  >roir,(h  xai  avcJ'pwv. 

"Like  leaves  on  trees  the  race  of  man  Is  found, 
Now  green  in  youlli,  now  witliering  on  the  ground; 
Another  race  tlie  folUtwiiig  spring  snjiplies." — Iliad. 

It  were  fur  cnsier  to  foretell  tlic  period  wlien  tlie  cxtinu- 
ti'jQ  t)f  the  Indian  races  must  be  consummated,  and  to 
explain  the  causes  tliat  must  sooner  or  later  terminate  their 
national  existence,  than  to  trace  back  their  early  history. 

Even  a  succinct  account  of  the  varioi^s  theories,  with 
the  arguments  upon  which  they  arc  based,  as  to  the  prob- 
able sources  whence  the  early  inhabita  its  of  the  Western 
hemisphere  derived  their  origin,  woule.  furnish  matter  for 
a  volume:  we  shall  therefore  do  littlu  more  than  allude 
to  the  diiferent  hypotheses  upon  the  subject,  leaving  the 
reader  to  follow  up  the  inquiry,  if  his  inclination  so  move 
him,  by  the  examination  of  works  especially  devoted  to 
the  discussion  of  this  vexed  question. 

The  want  of  a  written  language  among  the  aborigines 
of  America;  the  blindness  of  the  sj'stem  of  hieroglyphics 
used  by  the  more  advanced  nations  of  the  continent;  and 
the  wild  discrepancies  in  their  fanciful  oral  traditions  leave 
us  little  hope  of  satisfactorily  elucidating  the  my.stcry  by 


im 


i><-l 
1 


m 


li 


LNDIAM   liACLS  OF  AiE^UICA. 


any  direct  infuniuiLioii  obtained  fi'om  the  pco])lo  them 
.selves.    Analogies  in  pliy;sicul  eouroiiTuitioii,  customs,  arclii- 
tcctiire,  language,  and  religion,  must  form  our  principal  clue 
in  deciding  the  question  of  their  origin. 

I'hat  America  was  first  peopled  by  wanderers  from  the 
Old  World  seems  to  be  a  conclusion  to  which  most  of  those 
Avho  have  treated  on  the  subject  have  ari'ivcd.  Exclusive 
ol'llie  supposed  necessity  for  maintaining  the  truth  of  Scrip- 
tural history  by  deducing  all  the  races  of  the  globe  from  a 
connnon  ancestrv,  abundant  facilities  for  an  intentional  or 
casual  migration  have  been  pointed  out  by  geographers. 

The  nnmberlcss  isles  of  the  Pacific  offer  ready  resting- 
places  for  adventurous  or  bewildered  navigators,  and  might 
h,'i\-e  been  peopled  successively  by  wanderers  from  Soutli- 
caslorn  7\.sia.  Some  of  the  natives  of  that  portion  of  llie 
Kasicrn  continent  possess  a  skill  in  nautical  aflairs  whicli 
wcndd  abundantly  qualify  them  fin-  voyages  as  hazardous 
as  any  to  whicli  they  Avould  be  exposed  in  crossing  tlic 
racific  from  island  to  island  in  their  swift  proas.  The 
near  ai)proach  of  the  two  grand  divisions  of  the  globe  at 
Behring's  Straits  presents  still  greater  flicilities  for  a  ]:)ass- 
age  fi-om  one  to  the  other,  when  the  waters  arc  closed  by 
ice,  during  the  severe  Northern  winter,  or  when  they  lie 
open,  affording  a  free  j^assage  for  canoes. 

'^ri^nt  the  North-eastern  portions  of  America  were  visittnl 
and  pr()bal)ly  peopled,  at  a  very  eai'ly  date,  by  adventurers 
from  the  Noi'th  of  ]^]ur(^]ie  seems  to  be  fully  established. 
I\lany  wild  and  improbable  l(\gends  indeed  exist,  touching 
these  eai'ly  voyages,  and  we  can  sympathise  with  the;  man- 
ner in  which  the  old  historian  of  \'ii;ginian  colonization 
dismisses  the  subject:  "b'or  tlu^  sfoi-ies  of  Ai'thur,  Malgo, 
and  ijrandon,  that  say  a  thou.saiul  year(\s  agoe  th(>y  were 
in  (he  Noi'th  of  America,  or  tin;  I'Vyer  of  Linn,  that  by 
his  black  Art  went  to  the  Nwrtii  Pole  in  the  yeare  JoGO. 
In  that  I  know  them  not.     Let  this  suffice." 


I 


..J 


if 


tlicm 
arc'lii-    i 
il  clue 

)\n  tlic 
['lluxso 
jlu.sivo 
'Sciip- 
frorn  a 
jiial  or 
■)hcrs. 
■cstin,q- 
1  iiii;.i;lit 
Soutli- 
i  of  tlie 
i  -wliic'li 
:',aiHl()US 
ng  llic 

[k)l)C  at 
a  ]);\ps- 

ley  lie 

ivisitcnl 
liturcrs 
islicd. 
Iiu'liing 
man- 
l/.atiou 


\Ial- 


(>, 


li;i 


\V(MO 

t  by 
loGO. 


i 


GENERAL  CIIARACTKHISTICS. 


15 


Modern  investign,tion  has  brouglit  to  light  abundant 
evidence  of  visits  by  the  Northmen  to  Grccnhind  and  the 
neit-hborinfif  American  coast,  at  the  close  of  the  tenth 
and  in  the  beginning  of  the  eleventh  centuries,  and  it  is 
not  improbable  that  intercourse  had  subsisted  between  the 
two  countries  at  a  much  earlier  period.  The  iriai-kod  dif- 
ference between  the  Esquimaux  Indians  and  all  other 
tribes  of  the  Western  continent  points  plainly  to  a  separate 
ancestry.  AVe  shall  speak  more  at  large  upon  this  subject 
when  we  come  to  treat  of  tlie  natives  of  that  vast  and 
desolate  region  lying  between  the  Canad.as  and  the  fi'ozen 
seas  of  the  North. 

Vague  accounts  of  islands  or  continents  at  the  West  are 
found  in  the  works  of  many  early  wiiters.  '^J'hc  Atlantis 
of  Plato,  the  llesj)erides,  and  a  host  of  other  uncertain 
fables  have  been  tortured  by  ingenious  antiquaries  into 
proof  of  more  extensive  geographical  knowledge  than  is 
generally  attributed  to  the  ancients. 

Some  theorists  have  indefatigably  followed  up  the  idea 
that  Ave  are  to  s'^arch  for  the  lost  tribes  of  Israel  aniono; 
the  red  men  of  America, ;  nd  have  found  or  fancied  resem- 
blances, otherwise  unaccountable,  between  Indian  and  lie- 
brew  words,  ceremonies,  and  superstitions. 

Others  have  exhibited  equal  ingenuity  in  carrying  out 
a  coni]iarison  between  the  !Moors  of  Africa  and  the  Amer- 
icans, claiming  to  establish  a  near  afllnity  in  character  and 
complexion  between  the  two  races.  They  suppose  the 
Moorish  immigrants  to  have  arrived  at  the  West  India 
Islands,  o.-  the  Eastern  coast  of  South  America,  and  thence 
to  have  spread  over  the  whole  continent. 

llowpver  variant,  in  some  ])ailiculars,  the  dificrcnt 
nations  of  America  may  appear,  thoi'c  are  peculiarities  of 
language  which  are  noticeable  throughout  the  continent, 
and  which  would  seem  to  prove  that  Jieither  of  these 
nations  has  subsisted  in  an  entirely  isolated  condition. 


16 


INDIAN    ItACES   OF   AMKKICA. 


According  to  Trumholdt;  "In  America,  from  the  oouu- 
try  of  the  J^lsquiiiiaiix  to  the  l»;ii)k.s  of  the  Oriiioko,  and 
u.n'ain,  from  thene  torrid  hanks  to  the  frozen  climate  of  liie 
Straits  of  Magellan,  mother  tongues,  entirely  dillvrent  with 
regard  to  their  roots,  have,  if  we  may  use  the  ex])i'ession, 
the  same  physiognomy.  Striking  analogies  of  grammat' 
ical  construction  have  been  recognised,  not  only  in  the 
more  peifix't  languages — as  that  of  the  Incas,  the  Aymara, 
the  Guarani,  the  ^lexican,  and  the  Cora,  but  also  in  lan- 
guages exti'cmely  rude.  Idioms,  the  roots  of  -which  do 
not  resemble  each  other  more  than  the  roots  of  the  Scla- 
vonian  and  Biscayan,  have  resemblances  of  internal  me- 
chanism similar  to  those  v/h.ich  are  found  in  the  Sanscrit, 
the  Persian,  the  Greek,  and  the  German  languages." 

or  ih(^  primary  roots  of  the  diilercnt  Indian  dialects, 
it  is  said  that  there  are  four  moi»c  prominent  than  the  rest, 
and  which  can  be  traced  ovoi'  nearly  the  wdiolc  continent. 
These  are  the  Karalit  or  Escpiimaux,  the  Iroquois,  the 
Lenni  Lenape,  and  that  of  the  Chcrokees,  Choctaws,  and 
other  tril-)cs  of  the  South. 

The  great  body  of  the  American  aborigines,  notwith- 
standing the  country  over  Avdiich  they  are  distributed,  have 
many  features  of  physical  conformation  in  common.  The 
exceptions  to  this  general  truth,  exhibited  principall}'  in. 
the  persons  of  the  Esquimaux,  and  in  certain  wdiite  tribes 
at  the  West,  deserve  a  separate  consideration :  at  present, 
our  remarks  will  be  confined  to  the  red  men,  and  particu- 
larly to  those  of  the  pi'csent  United  States  and  territories. 

The  appellation  universally  bestowed  upon  this  people  is 
in  itself  a  strange  misnomer,  and  would  hardly  have  obtain- 
ed so  generally,  had  not  the  error  in  which  it  originated 
been  one  which  early  voyagers  were  slow  to  acknowledge. 

The  Americans  have,  indeed,  usurped  the  name  of  those 
for  whom  they  were  so  long  mistaken,  and  whom  we  are 
now  reduced  to  distuinguish  by  the  title  of  East  Indians. 


■, 


tlio  COUtl- 
iioko,  and 
ato  of  llio 
?rent  with 
q)rcssi()ii, 
graininat' 
ly  ill  tliG 
AvDiani, 
0  in  lan- 
.vliicli  do 
tlic  Scla- 
rnal  me- 
Sanscrit, 

dialects, 

the  rest, 

3ntinent. 

-lois,  tlie 

nvs,  and 

notwit]i- 
?d,  liave 
n.     The 
pally  in. 
:e  tribes 
present, 
particu- 
ritories. 
coplo  is 
obtain- 
g'inatcd 
-vledgc. 

'f  those 
we  are 
iidians. 


I 


i  I 

l\ 

I ' 

!  I 
I  ' 

i; 

I ; 
'I 

!i 


M 


]  I 


:  I 


li 


r.-fi.r,v,l-bc.i„g  full  1,    ,1"  ^■^7*"'"^' '"  "'I'iol.  wo  have 

»«>^  >.oig,,t«,,ich  J.„  ,„X;  «       ■  ,rf  :''°'"  "'  ""'  "- 

an.]  slenckr  figure  givoXm'r'  ""  "'"''  '=^'''='  P-'-" 
Their  li„ :  ,  „;  wenCm     "kt  ^T"""™  "'  '  '''"  «««• 

of  fcuropenn  nation.,.    They  .^™  IXh        "'"';';  ''«°™"^ 

The  most  distin^nsi„-n,;  °      ,     r  •     ™  '™""  '^•<"- 
the  reddish  or  copn'o    e"l  "/^r;  '•■"'f':^  "^  "'°  ^-o  arc,     I 
of  the  eheek-bonef  and       '    ,  "'°  f ™ •  *^  rro.niucncc     I 

h..3  not  inaptly  been'^oo  np?  «,  to  V°™°"'""  ""^■^■'  »"1     ' 
~Ie.s  from  its  eoarseness  than  lo     1"  ",'"'"'  "^  "'«  '"'«<'     I 
"nnncr  i„  ,rtieh  it  Cn  "      T     "  "'  8'°-'^^  !'""  -ml  the     ' ' 
■'••"■fc     The  women  are  nther  i' 'V'^'':',  '"■"  ™i«"^.'.Ily     '' 
-K.  a  greater  .endeue.tolbSt  'Sir  '""','"  ^"^-^ 
of  them  possess  a  symmetries    r  '"™' '""  '-"""y 

and  attraetive  countenaree  °™'  ^""^  »"  '^S^^-'Wo 

It  was  formerly  quite 
Indians  ,.ore  destitute  of  ifards      'n'?'"'''™  *'''"  «"'« 
fr"m  the  almost  imiyorsnl  o,J  "''"''  '•«""«i 

of  eradicating  «,,at  tCtte  ^u^f™'™'  "-"'S  them 
".ado  of  wood  or  musele-sh  i  ^d?"^'  7""°-'«'^' 
hairs  as  soon  as  they  appeared  •  ^  \  f  P'™''  out  the 
the  whites  eommenfcTiTo  if  ?  '  f  "  '"*«™"'-^  "'ith 
«-  -0  use.  It  was  'e^^mrd  ■^;.::^i:;;!  "'"■!  """-"  to 
ho  men,  to  carry  this  operation  sti  1  a  r"""''^  "'"""S 
hare  the  whole  head   w  t),  T  "''"'°'">  ■■""'  to  Jay 

""i^Se  like  the  comb  rf  toel-  TTT  "'  '  ''P-'-o( 
-P'"o<...i".swerefanta:tir;;;\rwt^^^^^^^ 


I  / 
I  ♦ 


J  t 
i  I 

I 

ii 
I  ! 


m 


111 


4 


.(.ii 


I  ! 


Tl 


18 


INDIAN   RACES  OF   AMKUICA. 


Of  the  likloous  custom  of  llattcnitig  tlic  licinl,  and  tho 
means  hy  wliieli  it  was  a('c()inj)lisli(;(l,  wo  shall  speak 
"vvlicti  describing  the  tribes  among  whom  it  was  practised. 

Nontitionson  thcEo«"'  "  contimiit  approach  so  nearly  to 
the  American  Indiar  jodily  conibrmation,  as  do  certain 
tribes  of  Tartai'S.  A  similaritv  in  hal)its  of  life,  in  (h'ess, 
festivals,  and  games,  is  also  observable  between  the  two 
nations.  '^Phis,  conibincd  with  the  j)roxitnity  of  their  coun- 
tries, and  the  ease  with  which  a  passage  could  be  (ilVected, 
would  seem  to  afford  a  rational  presum[)tion  as  to  the  direct 
origin  of  no  small  portion  of  the  red  tribes  of  North  Amer- 
ica. Who  can  undertake  to  decide,  however,  as  to  what 
admixture  of  races  has  hero  taken  place,  or  how  often 
fresh  ari'ivals,  from  dilferiMit  portions  of  Eastern  Asia, 
have  given  rise  to  new  colonies,  or  destroyed  by  amal- 
gamation, tho  distinctive  characteristics  of  the  earlier  peo- 
ple? Above  all,  can  -we  account  for  tlu'  wonderful  remains 
of  antiijuity  described  in  another  chapter,  by  referring 
them  to  the  same  races  as  were  found  iidiabiting  these 
wilds  when  the  white  man  iirst  ventured  to  exploi-c  them? 

Tho  didiculty  of  the  subject  is  sufftciently  manifest  fi'om 
the  contradictory  conclusions  drawn  by  laborious  but  dog- 
matic antiquaries;  and  still  more  by  the  doubt  and  uncer- 
tainty ill  which  more  candid  but  e<pially  diligent  laborers 
in  the  same  hold  have  confessed  their  researches  to  have 
resulted. 

Tlierc  have  not  been  Avanting  those  who  have  main- 
tained tlio  theory  that  the  Indians  wore  indigenous  to 
America.  Some  who  have  adopted  this  idea  consider  that 
it  involves  the  doctrine  of  a  separate  creation,  while  others, 
that  they  might  not  discard  the  ordinarily  received  opin- 
ion that  all  mankind  have  s])rungfrom  a  single  ])air,  ])lace 
the  seat  of  paradise  somewhere  upon  the  Western  Con- 
tinent, and  consider  the  Eastern  nations  as  descendants  of 
emifrrants  from  America. 


!i 


i 


f 


and  the 
II  sjH'uk 
•ruf'tisod. 
iicai'l}' to 
I)  coi'taiii 
ill  di'css, 
the  two 
nr  coun- 
oflocted, 
ic  direct 
li  Atnor- 
to  what 
'vv  often 
•n  Asia, 
ly  amal- 
lier  peo- 
reinains 
cferring 
ig  these 
e  them? 
jst  fr'om 
)ut  dog- 
1  unccr- 
laborcrs 
to  have 

0  main- 
uous  to 
Icr  that 
i  others, 
d  opin- 
r,  place 
■n  Con- 
ants  of 


GENERAL  ClIAliACTKUlSTICS. 


19 

oro  closely  .o'  o„;  L^'''  "r'^"""^/  ">'<l  ^vhi..], 
vvitl.  more  lively  i„tercsTtl",n''  T''  ''""■■■«"  "" 


A  knowledOT  of  tJm   i    i,-. 
^"".■»«  can  be°ae^Le  n  '•;  "  r""-™*'-^^  °'  *« 
«'«  pornsil  of  their  },i,torv  il         '"""'"«  '"•''""»'■  by 

events  and  scenes  were  vivi!  '  "''"  *'•<>'«  wl,cn  the 

f  before  moderntrr^^;;!--'  "Pon  their  „,i„;t 

'b.^ctness  of  expression  wl  iJh     """"V*"^  ^'"l"  "« 

SiK-h  details  make,  moreot'  .T        ""''''  "'■"•■  •'"-'■s. 

"Pon  the  memorv  than  oTn  7  '  J"  '^'°"S'='-  i".pre.4sion 

gpnerahties.     W^  si,:,    therrflrf  ?*;'  Y  "  ^^"^  "^      " 

l"»toneal  portion  of  this  ,'0*^  *'  '""'^^^  '°  "'« 

-';-';-  .ban  attempt  t Ztt  ""*  "''"^  ■'^^-"■■'t-n 

tn  this  and  in  t]  ^^'^'uvej, 

«P-><  of  nsages  nn:f  Sf,-:;;:^' 7"  ""^y  frequently 
^,  whieh  are  still  to  be  obVerIT'        ''°"Si"g  *«  a  past 
)Vestern  tribes.     The  diffiX' T 7^  *«  ""^e  re„»,e 
<l'f  "etion  in  a  series  of  tT 7  °^  f'^'y'  Rawing  ,he 
-"emitted,  r,u,st  form  o„  tcuseT  "'""^'^  ^  ^^  ^^  - 
chromsms.  "  ''^'"'^e  &r  sueh  seemii,„  ana 

.     VVo  notice  in  the  Indinn   o 

"'"'■^^^^  ^^'o-ty  which  ieadHi:  "T'-f  ^  ^^^^^^^^  -^ 

^  *«  avoid,  with  the  most 


*l 


Jf 


20 


INDIAN    RACES  OV  AMKUICA. 


1 


1  I 


t  I 


S(.rii[)iil()ii.s  cart',  all  iiivolunlaiy  or  iiiii)nlslvc  cxpii'ssion 
of  his  riM'liii;^-.-(.  'I'liis  i.s  not  conrmeil  to  tlui  (;ocasioii3 
U])oii  vvliich  Iio  calls  lortli  liis  powers  of  oiuliiniiico  in  siif- 
fcriiig  tlio  most  cruel  torments  with  apparent  insensihility 
or  oven  with  exultation,  but  entei'S  into  all  tin'  acts  ol'  his 
daily  life,  llo  betrays  no  niiscenily  curiosity  or  ini{)a- 
ticiiice  iindrr  circumstances  that  would  naturally  excito 
both  in  the  hij^hesi  decree.  JIas  ho  been  lon<^  absent 
i'rom  luHuo  on  a  war-path,  or  o\\  *a  visit  t(3  cities  of  tho 
whites;  has  lio  learned  some  great  and  threatening  dan- 
ger, or  has  the  intelligence  reached  him  of  the  death  of 
those  whom  ho  mo;4  values;  his  conduct  and  method  (jf 
conununicating  his  adventures  or  his  inft^rmalion,  aro 
governed  by  the  same  delibi.'ration  and  immobility. 

llcturning  half  faniished  from  an  unsuccessful  hunt,  ho 
enters  his  wigwam,  and  sits  down  unquestioned,  showing 
jio  symptom  t)r  impatience  for  food.  His  wife  j)repare3 
his  refreshment,  and  after  smoking  his  pipe,  and  satisfying 
his  iiunger,  he  volunteers  an  account  of  his  ex])erienco. 
Catlin  gives  a  striking  description  of  the  meeLiug  between 
a  chief  named  Wi-jun-jon,  who  had  just  returned  from  an 
cml)assy  to  W'ashinghju,  and  his  family,  lie  landed  from 
tiio  steamei'  at  his  home  in  the  far  West,  "with  a  com- 
plete suit  (7/  ini/i/ain;  a  colonel's  uniibi-m  (jf  blue,  })i'e- 
sented  to  him  by  the  president  of  the  United  Stat(!s,  with 
a  beaver  hat  and  fealher,  with  e})aulettes  of  gold — with 
sash  and  belt,  and  broadsword;  with  highdiecled  boots — 
with  a  keg  of  whiskey  under  his  arm,  and  a  blue  umbrella 
in  his  hand.  In  this  plight  and  metamorphose,  he  took 
bis  position  on  the  bank  amongst  his  friends — his  wife 
and  either  relations;  not  one  of  whom  exhibited,  for  an 
half  hour  or  more,  thy  least  symptoms  of  recognition, 
although  they  knew  well  who  was  before  them."  The 
conduct  of  the  chief  was  of  the  same  character,  but,  half 
an  hour  afterwards,  "a  gradual,  but  cold  and  exceedingly 


!i 


'. 


^(   ,>.v 


i 


OKNKUAL  CIIAHAiTKIllSTICS. 


21 


foniiiil  r('('()<^Miitioti  hc^au  to  tiiko  place,"  iiftcr  which,  nil 
"went  on  us  it' ho  hiid  iicvt-r  been  ultseiit  -  This  str;iii^'(! 
(lonicaiior  docs  not,  ]'y  :iny  means,  result  from  real  indil- 
feronco,  but  from  the  siipposetl  propriety  of  suppressing 
any  outbreak  of  emotion.  No  doubt  all  the  parties  to 
the  scone  above  described,  wore  in  a  state  of  the  jjjroatost 
curiosity  and  excitennMit,  and  the  family  doubtless  felt 
the  most  exuberant  joy  at  the  reunion;  l)ut  (Uistom,  or 
their  ideas  of  good  taste,  prohibited  the  exhibition  of  a 
"scene,"  Those  who  are  best  acquainted  with  the  char- 
acter of  the  Indians  aji;roc  that  witli  them  the  ties  of  fam- 
ily ad'ection  are  exceedingly  strong  and  enduring.  The 
most  touching  descriptions  are  giv(>n  of  the  manner  in 
whioh  they  mourn  for  the  dead,  and  of  the  tender  and 
faithful  remembrance  of  lost  rt^latives  that  no  leriu;th  of 
time  seems  to  obliterate.  Cai'ver  says,  "  [  can  assert  that, 
notwithstanding  the  ai)pareiit  indiflerencc  with  which  an 
Indian  meets  his  Avife  and  ehilib'cn  after  a  long  absence, 
an  indifference  proceeding  ratlu^r  from  custom  than  iTisen- 
sibility,  lie  is  not  nnmindful  of  the  claims  either  of  con- 
nubial or  parental  tenderness." 

The  same  author  who  had  witnessed  the  most  bloody 
and  savage  scenes  of  Indian  warfare,  and  who  was  familiar 
with  the  cruelties  and  unrelenting  spirit  of  revenge  peculiar 
to  the  race,  candidly  bears  witness  to  their  good  qualities: 

"No  people,"  he  says,  "can  be  more  hospitable,  kind, 
and  free.  *  *  The  honor  of  their  tribe  and  the 
welfare  of  their  nation  is  the  first  and  most  predominant 
emotion  of  their  hearts;  and  from  hence  proceed  in  a  great 
measure  all  their  virtues  and  their  vices.  -xr  *  ^ 
No  selfish  views  ever  influence  their  advice  or  obstruct 
their  consultations.  *  *  They  are  at  once  guided 
by  passions  and  appetites,  which  they  hold  in  common 
with  the  fiercest  beasts  that  inhabit  their  woods,  and  aro 
possessed  of  virtues  which  do  honor  to  human  nature." 


.,.'M/ 


■J      "t']^ 


hi 


'41 


H 


m 


22 


INDIAX  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


The  Indians  are  naturally  taeituni,  Liit  foiid  oF  set 
speeclics.  Ilieir  oratory  is  of  no  mean  order,  and  is  dis- 
tingriislied  for  aijitliiness,  a  qnaintiiess,  and  oceasionally  a 
vein  of  dry  sarcasm,  whieli  have  never  Leen  surpassed. 
Wc  Lave  specimens  of  some  of  their  orations,  upon  great 
occasions,  wliicli  are  models  of  stirring  eloquence,  adorned 
witli  metapliors  and  similes  wliicli  breatlie  tlie  true  sj)irit 
of  poetry. 

Tli'j  most  pleasing  traits  in  the  character  of  these  strange 
peo])le  are  their  reverence  for  age,  their  affection  for  their 
children,  their  high  notions  of  honoi',  and  their  keen  sense 
of  justice.  The  great  stignia  upon  the  whole  race  is  their 
deliberate  and  systematic  cruelty  in  the  treatment  of  cap- 
tives. It  is  hard  to  account  for  this,  hut  it  really  appears, 
upon  investigation,  to  be  rather  a  national  custom,  gradu- 
ally reaching  a  cliniiix,  than  to  have  arisen  from  any  innate 
love  of  inllicting  pain.  It  is  perfectly  certain  that,  if  the 
children  of  the  most  enlightened  nation  on  earth  should  be 
brought  up  in  occasional  iximiliarity  with  scenes  like  those 
witnessed  at  the  execution  of  a  prisoner  by  the  American 
savages,  they  would  experience  no  horror  at  the  sight. 
AVo  need  not  seek  farther  than  the  history  of  religious  and 
political  persecutions  in  Europe,  or  the  cruelties  practised 
on  reputed  witches  in  our  own  country.,  to  satisfy  us  that 
tlie  character  of  the  Indians  will  sufl'er  little  by  com})ari- 
son  with  that  of  their  contemporaries  of  our  oAvn  race.. 

Among  some  of  those  nations  which  in<duded  ;in  ex- 
tensive confederacy,  where  a  system  of  government  ha<l 
become  settled  by  usage,  and  the  authority  of  the  chief 
had  Ijcen  strengthened  by  long  submission  to  hiin  and  liis 
predecessors,  an  arbitrary  monarchy  seeins  to  liave  pre- 
vailed; but  among  the  smaller  tribes,  the  authority  of  tht 
chief  AVfis  rather  advisory  than  absolute.  There  Avas  gen 
erally  a  king  who  held  hereditary  ofhce,  and  exercised 
the  powers  of  a  civil  governor  by  virtue  of  his  descent* 


* 
h 


genp:ral  characteristics. 


23 


■i 


■  \ 


while  to  lead  the  warriors  in  battle,  the  bravest,  most 
redoubted,  and  sagacious  of  the  tribe  was  elected.  Tlu^se 
two  chief  offices  were  not  unfrequentlj,  united  in  the 
same  pci'son,  when  tlie  lawful  sachem,  from  a  sDirit  of 
emulation  or  from  natural  advantages,  showed  himself 
worthy  of  the  position. 

All  matters  of  national  interest  were  discussed  at  a  sol- 
emn council,  consisting  of  the  jirincipal  men  of  the  tribe, 
and  at  Avhicli  great  decorum  and  formality  were  observed. 
As  the  debate  proceeded,  the  whole  conclave,  whenever 
a  remark  from  the  orator  speaking  excited  their  appro 
bation,  would  give  expression  to  their  approval  by  a  gut- 
tural ejaculation. 

A  natural  instinct  of  retributive  justice  orrlained  that 
the  crime  of  murder  should  be  punished  by  the  hand  of 
the  deceased  person's  nearest  relative.  An  interesting 
incident,  connected  with  this  custom,  is  told  in  a  notice  of 
the  public  life  of  tlie  Hon.  Pierre  A  Eost,  of  Tjouisiana, 
given  in  the  United  States  Law  ^fagazine,  for  March,  1852. 
ITe  is  here  said  to  have  been  the  first  to  suggest  the  pro- 
yu'iety  of  interference  in  these  matters  on  the  part  of  the 
State  Courts.  In  a  drunken  fray,  an  Indian  had  l)cen 
accidentally  killed.  "The  relatives  of  the  deceased  were 
absent  at  the  time;  but  they  soon  heard  of  his  death,  and 
came  from  the  Indian  territory  to  exact  blood  for  blood 
from  the  homicide.  He  was  advised  to  flee,  but  would 
not,  anrl,  in  blind  submission  to  the  law  of  the  red  man, 
agreed  to  deliver  himself  on  a  certain  day  to  be  shot. 
The  Court  was  then  sitting,  and  ^fr.  Rost  jiroposed  to  the 
presiding  judge  to  prevent  the  horrid  sacrifice,  by  giving 
the  victim  a  fliir  trial  by  jury,  many  members  of  which 
were  known  and  respected  by  the  relatives  of  the  deceased, 
and  impressing  upon  the  latter  the  necessity  of  abiding 
by  the  verdict,  whatever  it  might  be."  Tliis  was  done, 
and  everv  thing  was  conducted  with  due  form  and  solemn- 


♦•* 


1 


'i> 


t     «. 


)  f 


I,-  , 

1 1 


!.  ' : 


il 


I  ! 


,  I 


■■'■                      i 

!  ■ 

>                       ■} 

li 


'  t 


24 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AIMERICA. 


ity.  The  Indian  witnesses  gave  the  most  satisflictorj 
answers  when  questioned  as  to  thoir  ideas  of  tlic  obhga- 
tion  of  an  oath,  and,  after  a  full  hearing,  the  defendant 
was  acquitted.  The  decision  was  translated  to  the  com- 
plainants, and  they  were  told  that  to  kill  the  prisoner 
woidd  now  be  murder,  and  Avould  subject  them  to  the 
penalties  of  that  crime. 

"Mr.  Kost  then  rose,  and  stated  to  the  Court  that  the 
prosecutors  had  left  their  liunting-ground  to  come  and 
aA'cnge  the  death  of  their  relative,  as  it  was  their  duty  to 
do;  that  justice  had  been  done  to  the  accused,  but  that 
was  not  sufPicient.  Justice  must  also  be  done  to  the  other 
side;  they  must  be  indemnified  for  the  inconvenience  they 
had  been  put  to,  and  the  loss  they  had  sustained;  and,  as 
the  coffers  of  the  treasury  would  not  unlock  at  the  bidding 
of  his  hon(^r,  he  moved  that  the  bar,  jury,  and  by-stand- 
crs,  contribute  a  sufficient  amount  to  satisfy  tluiu.  This 
was  done  as  soon  as  proposed,  and  the  prosecutors  declared 
themselves  satisfied." 

The  institution  of  niarriajre  among  the  American  Indians 
is  by  no  means  so  restrictive  a  system  as  that  adopted  by 
enlightened  nations.  It  is  for  the  most  jiart  dissoluble  at 
the  pleasure  of  the  parties,  and  polygamy  is  extensively 
practised.  As  with  other  barbarous  nations,  the  woman 
is  compelled  to  undergo  the  drudgery  of  daily  labor, 
wliile  her  lord  and  master  lounges  indolently  about  the 
village,  except  at  times  when  his  energies  are  called  forth 
for  hunting  or  war.  When  once  engaged  in  these  pur- 
suits, his  fixedness  of  purjDOse,  and  the  readiness  with 
whicii  he  will  undergo  the  extremes  of  toil,  exposure, 
hunger,  and  privation,  is  marvellous. 


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I  , 


GENERAL  Cli  A 11  ACT  ERISTIC  3. 


CHAPTER  II. 


25 


RELIGION    OF    THE     INDIANS — THEIR     WEAPONS,    AND     SYSTESI    OF 
WARFARE THEIR    LODGINGS,    DRESS,    ORNAMENTS,    ETC. 

"Yot  simple  nntiiro  to  liis  liopc  luis  given, 
Beliiiid  tho  cldiid-topp'd  iiill  an  luunblor  heaven; 
Some  snfor  world,  in  depths  of  woods  embraced. 
Some  happier  island  in  tlie  \v;it(?ry  waste." — Pope. 

The  Indians,  before  receiving  instruction  from  Euro- 
peans, generally  believed  in  the  existence  of  a  Supreme 
Deity,  embodying  a  principle  of  universal  benevolence, 
and  tliat  to  kini  tlieir  gratitude  was  due  for  all  natui-al 
bonellts. 

On  the  other  hand,  they  stood  in  fear  of  a  spirit  of  evil, 
whose  influence  upon  human  affairs  they  considered  as 
being  more  direct  and  familiar.  To  this  being,  known 
among  many  tribes  as  Ilobamocko,  much  more  assiduous 
devotion  was  paid  than  to  the  Great  Spirit,  it  being  far 
more  essential  in  their  view  to  deprecate  the  wrath  of  a 
terrible  enemy,  than  to  seek  the  favor  of  one  already 
perfectly  well  disposed  towards  his  creatures.  Besides 
these  two  superior  deities,  a  sort  of  fanciful  mythology, 
not  unlike  that  of  many  ancient  Eastern  nations,  invested 
every  notable  object  with  its  tutelary  divinity,  and  bestowed 
on  each  individual  his  guardian  spirit. 

A  general  idea  that  the  good  would  be  rewarded,  and 

the  bad  punished,  was  entertained.     Far  away  to  the  warm 

South-west,  a  pleasant  land  was  fabled,  in  which  the  hunter, 

after  death,  should  pursue  his  favorite  employment  in  the 

midst  of  abundance,  and  a  stranger  for  ever  to  want  or 

fear ; 

"Wliore  ovt'ri.isliilo-  Autumn  lies 

On  yi'llow  woods  and  sunny  skies." 


i! 


,1-; 


:  -Mm 


m 


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■     t.,"   ' 


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•  '         '        ^     ii  fcf  u  , 


20 


INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AMKIITCA. 


IS  tis  l;ii'  roiiiMVci 


Their  heaven  av 

disc  of  tlic  ^rahotnctitiis,  as  IVoni  tin-  \)\\\v  al)strac'tioiis  of 


1   from  1he  sensual  para 


an  enliii'htened  reliy;ion.     Ease,  comfort,  and  a  suflieie 


ncy 


for  tlie  natural  wajits,  seemed  all-suITicieiit  to  these  simple 
child 


lildi'on  of  nature,  to  render  an  etei'uity  delightful. 


The  description  handed  down  to  us  of  the  Indian  jiovv- 
wows  or  eonjarers,  and  their  medicine-men,  derive  au 
additional  ])iquaney  and  interest  from  the  fact,  that  those 
who  detail  them  were  generally  as  superstitious  as  the 
poor  natives  themselves.  Wc  might  cite  pages  in  "which 
the  necromantic  performances  of  the  red  men  ai-e  spoken 
of  with  all  the  i)ious  horror  that  would  naturally  1)C  excited 
by  what  were  considered  the  direct  operation^of  the  devil, 
as  displayed  in  the  works  of  his  children.  AVinslow, 
taking  occasion  to  explain  the  meaning  of  the  word  "Pan- 
iese,"  often  applied  to  notable  warriors  in  New  England, 
says,  "Tlie  Panicses  are  men  of  great  courage  and  wis- 
dome,  and  to  these  also  the  deuill  appeareth  more  famili- 
arly than  to  others,  and,  as  wc  conceiue,  maketh  coueuant 
with  them  to  preserue  them  from  death  by  wounds  with 
arrowes,  knives,  hatchets,  &e." 

The  Avorlcs  of  the  learned  divine.  Cotton  Mather,  are 
fdled  with  similar  extravagancies. 

These  2)owwows,  says  Gookin,  "are  partly  wizards  and 
witches,  holding  faniiliarity  Avith  Satan,  tliat  evil  one;  and 
partly  are  })hysicians,  and  make  nse,  at  least  in  show,  of 
herbs  and  roots  for  curing  the  sick  and  diseased.  These 
are  sent  for  by  the  sick  and  wounded;  and  by  tlu^r  dia- 
bolical spells,  mutterings,  exorcisms,  they  seem  to  do  won- 
ders. They  use  extraordinarj'-  strange  motions  of  their 
bodies,  insomuch  that  they  sweat  until  they  foam;  and 
thus  they  continue  for  some  hours  together,  stroking  and 
hovering  over  the  sick. — These  powwows  are  re])uted, 
and  I  conceive  justl}"",  to  hold  familiarity  with  the  devil." 

Wherever  the  Indians  have  enjoyed  free  intercourse 


w 

til 

\\i 

(']■ 

\\ 

bi 

bv 


■'if 


GEXEUAL  CnARACTEiaSTICS. 


27 


a 

of 

)le 

i\V- 

au 

oso 

tlio 

idi 

cen 

itcd 

.vil, 

ow, 

'an- 

:ind, 

wis-    j  I 

uili-    ' 

I 

unit 

,vitli 
are    i  i 


witli  tlio  wliitcs,  tlio}'-  liavo  birii  no  less  eager  to  a(lo])t 
than    apf,  to  acquire   tlie  use  of  their   more   enieaeioua 
weapons.     It  is  of  tlie  primitive  instruments  for  olVencc 
or  defence  that  we  shall  now  speak.     Scattered  over  the 
wliolc  country,  even  at  the  present  day,  small  trianguhir 
bits  of  Avrought  flint,  quarts,  or  other  stone  are  turned  up 
by  the  plough,  or  seen  lying  on  the  surface  of  the  ground. 
These  arrow-heads,  with  occasionally  one  of  a  larger  size, 
which  might  have  served  for  a  lance,  a  stone  tomahawk, 
a  rude  pestle,  o"  the  fragment  of.a  bowl  of  the  same  mate- 
rial, constitute  almost  the  only  marks  now  visible,  in  the 
thickly  settled  Eastern  stntes,  of  the  race  that  formerly 
inhabited  them.     The  opening  of  a  tomb  sometimes  brings 
to  light  other  relics,  and  various  specimens  of  native  art 
have  been  preserved  among  us  from  generation  to  gen- 
eration, as  curious  relics  of  antiquity;  but  until  we  arrive 
at  the  Western  tumuli,  (commencing  at  the  state  of  New 
York)  we  find  but  slight  impressions  upon  soil  at  the 
hands  of  the  red  men,  and  the  few  and  simple  articles  to 
which  we  have  alluded,  constitute  the  most  important  pro- 
ductions of  their  skill,  except  those  formed  from  a  perish- 
able material. 

IIow  the  arrow  and  lance  heads  could  have  been  attached 
«with  any  degree  of  firinness  to  the  wood,  seems  almost 
incomprehensible.  Captain  Smith  describes  a  species  of 
glue  which  assisted  in  accomplishing  this  oltject,  but  the 
shank  or  portion  of  the  stone  that  entered  the  wood  is  in 
some  of  the  specimens  so  short  and  ill  defined,  that  it  seems 
impossible  that  it  should  have  been  held  firm  in  its  place 
by  such  means.  The  arrow-heads  Avere  chipped  into  shape, 
presenting  something  the  same  surface  as  a  gun-flint,  while 
the  tomahawks  and  pestles,  being  of  a  less  intractable 
material,  were  ground  smooth,  and  some  of  them  were 
highly  polished.  A  handle  Avas  commonly  affixed  to  the 
"torn-hog"  or  tomahawk  by  inserting  it  in  a  split  sapling, 


I 


Til 


28 


IN  WAN  KAOKS  OF  AMKltlCA. 


and  waiting  H)!'  tlie  w^od  to  grow  (ii'nilj  urounil  it;  after 
whioli,  it  was  cut  ofl'at  tlic  requisite  liHigtii. 

Tlie  Indian  bow  was  shorter  tlian  tliat  fortnci'ly  used  in 
England,  and  was  so  stifV  as  to  r(>f|uiro  groat  strength  or 
BkiU  to  bend  it.  It  became  a  much  niuie  ellbctivc  weapon 
after  the  intro(bK'tion  of  steel  or  iron  arrow-heads,  which 
quickly  superseded  those  of  stone.  Clubs,  sometimes 
armed  with  flints,  with  the  bow  and  tomahawk,  constitute 
the  principal  weapon  of  the  race.  Djiggcra  of  flint  or 
bone,  and  sliiehls  of  bu^Talo-hide,  were  in  use  among  some 
of  the  Western  tribes. 

Divided  into  innnmerablc  petty  nations,  nearly  the  wliole 
Indian  )opulation  lived  in  a  state  of  insecurity,  from  the 
constant  hostility  which  prevailed  between  ditferent  tribes. 
So  stn^Tg  a  clannish  spirit  as  they  all  exhibited  lias  seldom 
been  noticed  in  any  country,  and  the  bitterest  hatred  was 
inherited  by  every  individual  towards  the  members  of  an 
iinfi'iendly  tribe.  War,  as  in  most  nations,  whether  bar- 
barous or  enlightened,  was  ever  esteemed  the  most  honor- 
able employment.  The  manner  in  which  hostilities  were 
conducted  will  a]i])ear  by  a  detail  of  some  of  the  more 
noted  Indian  Avars,  as  given  in  the  ensuing  chapters  of  this 
work.  The  whole  was  a  system  of  stratagem  and  surprise ; 
a  pitched  battle  in  an  open  field  was  almost  unknown,  and 
greater  honor  was  ascribed  to  the  chief  who,  by  a  night 
attack,  destroyed  his  enemies  at  a  disadvantage,  and 
brought  away  their  scalps  in  triumph,  without  loss  to  his 
own  people,  tlian  to  deeds  involving  the  greatest  personal 
exposure.  The  remorseless  cruelty  with  which  Avomcn 
and  children  were  destroved  in  the  heat  of  conflict,  has 
furnished  a  theme  for  niany  a  tale  of  horror. 

Previous  to  a  declaration  of  war  against  another  tribe, 
the  chief  men  and  councillors  of  the  nation  were  in  the 
hal)it  of  holding  solemn  consultations,  accompanied  by 
numerous  fantastic  ceremonies.    When  fully  resolved  u2)on 


1 1 


li 


I',' 


GKNKUAL  CIIAUACTKIUSTICS. 


29 


hostilities,  llic  first  stop  was  to  sccuro  tho  assistance  of  as 
many  ef  tlic  neighboring  triljos  as  possible,  Cor  which 
j)urii(iso  ambassadors  were  s(Mit,  to  set  [orih  tlic  advantages 
of  tlie  union,  and  to  cement  a  treaty  by  exchange  of  wam- 
pum. When  uU  was  ready,  a  liatchet  or  other  weapon, 
painted  red,  was  sent  as  an  intimation  to  tlio  enemy  of 
wliat  was  in  store.  Wo  are  told  that  the  recei)tion  of  this 
ominous  token,  frecpicutl y  excited  such  rage  in  the  minds 
of  those  to  whom  it  was  sent;  "that  in  the  first  transports  of 
their  fury,  a  small  i)arty  of  them  would  issue  forth,  with- 
out waiting  f>r  ])ei'missiun  fiom  the  elder  chiefs,  and,  slay- 
ing the  first  of  the  offending  nation  they  mot,  cut  open  the 
bod}',  and  stick  a  liatchet,  of  the  same  kind  as  that  they 
had  just  received,  into  the  heart  of  their  slaughtered  foe." 

When,  weaiy  with  the  war,  either  party  desired  to  ter- 
minate hostilities,  the  message  was  sent  under  the  pi'otect- 
ive  influence  of  the  calumet,  or  pli^e  of  peace,  which,  like 
a  flag  of  truce  among  other  nations,  every  where  secured 
the  person  of  those  who  bore  it.  This  pipe,  so  widely 
celebrate  1,  and  of  such  universal  use,  was  most  elaborately 
carved  and  bedecked.  Each  nation  had  its  own  peculiar 
stylo  of  ornament  for  this  all-important  symbol,  which 
was  known  to  all  the  neighboring  tribes.  A  solemn  and 
ceremonious  smoking  of  the  calumet,  formed  the  token  of 
ratification  to  evcrv  treatv.  When  used  at  the  conclusion 
of  a  peace,  the  painted  hatchet  was  buried  in  the  ground, 
and  belts  of  wampum,  so  figured  and  ari-anged  as  to  com- 
memorate the  essential  articles  of  the  piicific  agreement, 
Were  presented,  to  be  kept  as  a  perpetual  memorial. 

The  treatment  of  captives  exhibited  the  opposite  ex- 
tremes of  cruelty  and  kindness.  Greatly  to  the  credit  of 
the  race,  it  was  observed  that,  in  most  instances,  whito 
women  who  fell  into  their  hands  met  with  no  outrage  or 
indignity.  They  were  generally  kindly  tre  ited,  and  every 
respect  Avas  paid  to  their  feelings.     The  men  taken  ])risou- 


II 


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r,i) 


INDIAN  IIACES  OF  AMKllICA. 


ers  of  \v;ir,  were  either  adopted  to  supply  flic  place  of  those 
who  had  filltMi  in  hnttlo, — in  wiiicli  case  they  were  to 
undertake  all  the  responsibilities,  and  were  cntitU'd  to  all 
the  pi'ivil(!g''s  of  the  one  in  whose  ])la('(;  they  stood, — oi 
they  W(M'0  s. ilrninly  devoted  to  death,  by  the  n.ost  refined 
and  eruel  torments  tliat  diabolical  ingenuity  could  devise. 
On  such  occasions,  all  his  native  powers  of  stoical  endu- 
rance were  called  forth  on  the  part  of  the  doomed  warrior. 
When  told  what  was  the  fate  before  him,  he  would  briefly 
ex])i'ess  his  satisfaction ;  and  when  led  to  the  stake,  and  sub- 
jected to  every  torture,  by  fire  and  mutilation,  he  would 
maintain  a  proud  composure,  recounting  his  exploits,  and 
tlie  injuries  Avhich  he  had  inflicted  u])on  his  tormentors 
in  former  battles,  taunting  them  with  their  unskilfnlnoss 
in  the  art,  and  describing  the  su})erior  manner  in  wliich 
ho  and  his  friends  had  tortured  their  relatives.  Not  iinfrc- 
quently  the  rage  of  the  surrounding  company  would  be 
so  excited  by  these  expressions  of  contempt,  and  by  their 
inal)ility  to  brealc  tlie  warrior's  spirit,  that  some  of  them 
would  rush  upon  him,  and  dispatch  him  at  once  by  a  blow 
of  the  tomahawk. 


The  habitations  and  clothing  of  the  Indians  varied 
greatly  with  the  tempcraiare  of  the  climate.  In  the  warm 
regions  of  the  South,  a  slight  covering  proved  suflficicnt, 
while  to  resist  the  severity  of  a  New  England  winter  very 
efficient  precautions  were  taken.  The  usual  manner  of 
building  their  wigwams,  was  by  fixing  a  row  of  poles 
fii-mly  in  the  ground,  in  the  form  of  a  circle,  and  then 
bending  and  confining  the  tops  together  in  the  center.  A 
hole  was  left  fi^r  the  smoke  of  the  fire  to  escape,  at  the 
top  of  the  cabin;  every  other  part  being  warmly  and 
closely  covered  with  matting.     A  tl^dit  screen  hung  over 


fift\| 

of 

con; 

wal 

firm 

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ear 


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1 


OKNKIIAI.  ClfAUAtTKlllrtTlCS. 


81 


tlu!  tlooru'.'iv,  wliifli  \vm  nilMod  whow  any  one  ontcrcd,  aiul 
tlit'ii  allowi'tl  to  fall  into  its  j)lace. 

A  s|i('oit'S  dl'  matting  wa.s  pi'('[>ai'ril  liy  {)ct;ling  the  iiai'k 
fi'oin  ti'i'cs,  and  suliJLTtin^  it,  pacUtMl  in  layci'S,  to  ti  heavy 
pressuiv.  Willi  this  material,  or  witli  mats  wovt'n  I'rom 
rushes,  &t'.,  tlie  walls  ol'tlic  huts  wore  so  closely  thatched, 
as  to  clVcelually  resist  wind  and  weather. 

Sonic  of  these  wigwams  were  of  great  size,  Leing  fi-om 
fifty  to  a  liundred  feet  in  length,  but  the  generality  were 
of  dimensions  suitable  to  a  single  family.  Their  bedding 
consisted  of  mattresses  dis[)osed  in  bunks  attached  to  the 
walls,  or  ujtoii  low  movable  couches.  Bear  and  deer  skins 
furnished  additional  co\*bring.  Their  other  furniture  and 
housidiold  utensils  were  simple  in  the  extreme.  Clay  or 
earlliciii  jm-Is,  wooden  [)latters,  bowls  and  spoons,  and  pails 
ingeniously  liishioned  of  birch  bark,  served  their  ])urp(jso 
for  cookery  and  the  table.  They  were  skilled  in  basket- 
making. 

In  many  of  their  towns  and  villages,  the  wigwams  were 
set  in  ordei'ly  rows,  with  an  open  space  or  court  near  the 
centre;  while  the  whole  was  surrounded  by  a  strong  ])ali- 
sade,  having  but  one  or  two  narrow  entrances.  Yov  spir- 
ited descri})tions  and  sketches  of  the  modern  Indian  towns 
of  the  extrenie  AVest,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  valuable 
works  of  Mr.  (jcorgc  Cat! in.  In  many  respects  it  will  be 
perceivt'd  that  old  customs  are  still  ob'".erved. 

The  elothiiig  of  the  Indians  eonsiotcd  mostly  of  skins, 
dressed  with  no  little  skill  Leggins  of  deer  skins,  Avith  a 
hand's  breadth  of  the  material  hanging  loose  at  the  side 
seam,  and*  often  highly  ornamented  with  fringe  and 
embroidery ;  moccasins  of  buck,  elk,  or  bnffiilo  skin ;  and 
a  garment  of  various  lashion,  from  a  simple  cincture  about 
the  loins,  to  a  warm  and  ornamental  mantle  or  coat,  com- 
pleted tlic  C([uipment  of  the  men. 

Very  rarely,  even  in  our  own  times,  do  wc  find  Indians 


''ik 


'  ■' •'  ''S|iP 


n  > 


■  ;l 
1" 


n 

.  I. 


li- 


"^ 


I 


I  i 

!  I 


I  i 


82 


INDIAN  11ACE3  OF  AMERICA. 


who  arc  "willing  to  submit  to  tlic  restraining  and  incon- 
venient dress  of  tlic  whites.  Tlicy  have  always  been 
accusUtnied  to  leave  the  tliiuii  bare,  and  about  the  neck 
tlicy  can  endure  none  of  the  clumsy  and  disagreeable 
bandages  in  sucli  uuivei'sal  use  among  civilized  nations. 
"Those  Avho  wear  shirts,"  says  Carver,  "never  make  them 
fast,  eitlier  at  tlio  Avrist  or  collar;  this  would  be  a  most 
ihsuflcrable  coniinement  to  them." 

The  women  wore  a  short  frock,  reaching  to  the  knees; 
thcii'  covering  for  the  Icc's  and  feet  were  similar  to  that 
worn  by  the  men.  In  some  portions  of  the  country,  very 
beautiful  specimens  of  ornamental  mantles,  covered  with 
neatly-arrang(^d  feather.-;,  were  seen  and  described  by  early 
writers.  Colored  porcupine  quills  were  in  general  use, 
both  for  stitching  and  ornamenting  the  clothing  and  other 
equipments  of  tlio  Indian. 

A  fondness  for  gay  colors  and  gaudy  ornaments  has 
ever  been  conspicuous  in  the  whole  race.  From  pocone 
and  other  roots,  a  brilliant  red  paint  or  dye  was  prepared, 
with  which  and  A\'ith  other  pigments — as  charcoal,  earths, 
and  extracts  from  the  barks  of  certain  trees — they  painted 
their  bodies,  in  diHercnt  styles,  either  to  make  a  tc  iriblo 
impression  on  their  enemies,  or  simply  to  bedeck  themsel  ves 
in  a  becoming  manner  in  the  eyes  of  their  friends.  1'he 
usual  savage  custom  of  wearing  pendants  at  the  cars  was 
common.  Tlic  cartilage  was  fj'cquently  strett!lic(l  and 
enlarge  1  by  weights,  and  by  winding  it  Avith  brass  wire, 
until  it  nearly  reached  1ho  shoulder.  Tattooing  Avas  prac- 
tised by  some  nations,  but  not  so  systematically,  or  to  so 
great  an  ext(^rjt  as  has  been  observed  among  tlic  savages 
of  warmer  climates,  where  little  clothing  is  worn. 

One  of  the  most  noted  sjiecies  of  ornament,  which 
answered  all  the  purpose  of  a  circulating  medium  among 
the  Eastern  Indians,  was  wampum.  This  consisted  of 
small  circular  bits  of  sea-shell,  smoothly  ground  and  pol- 


I 


GENERAL  CHAKACTERISTICS. 


S3 


ishcd,  with  a  liole  diilled  tliroiigh  the  centre  of  each,  by 
wliich  it  might  be  strung,  or  attached  ornamentally  to  the 
belt  or  other  parts  of  the  dress.  The  "qua-hog"  or  round 
chim  furnished  the  principal  material  for  this  coin,  the 
variegated  ])urple  portions  of  the  shell  being  much  tlie 
most  valuable.  The  great  labor  in  preparing  it,  was  the 
boring,  which  was  effected  by  a  sharp  flint.  When  we 
consider  the  slow  nature  of  such  a  process,  we  can  scarce 
credit  the  accounts  given  of  the  immense  quantities  of 
wampum  that  were  procured  by  the  white  colonists,  while 
it  retained  its  value,  in  exchange  for  European  commodities, 
or  Avhich  were  exacted  as  tribute,  in  atonement  for  national 
oftenccs. 

"The  wompompeague,"  says  Gookin,  "is  made  princi- 
pally by  the  Block  Islanders  and  Long  Island  Indians, 
Upon  the  sandy  flats  and  sliores  of  those  coasts  the  wilk 
shells  are  found.  AVith  this  wompompeague  they  pay 
tribute,  redeem  captives,  satisfy  for  murders  and  other 
wrongs,  purchase  peace  with  their  potent  neighbors,  as 
occasion  requires;  in  a  word,  it  answers  all  occasions  with 
them,  as  gold  and  silver  doth  with  us.  They  delight  mucli 
in  having  and  using  knives,  combs,  scissors,  hatchets,  hoes, 
guns,  needles,  awls,  looking-glasses  and  such  like  necessa- 
ries which  they  purchase  of  the  English  and  Dutch  with 
their  peaguc,  and  then  sell  them  their  peltry  for  their 
wompeague." 

The  principal  articles  of  food  used  by  the  aborigines  of 
the  present  United  States,  were  the  products  of  the  chase, 
fish,  beans,  some  sjiecies  of  squashes  and  pumpkins,  and 
maize  or  Indian  Corn.  "Wild  rice,  growing  in  rich  wet 
Land  in  the  interior  of  the  country,  furnished  a  wholesome 
and  easily  gathered  supply  of  farinaceous  food  to  the  tribes 
of  the  temperate  jiortion  of  the  United  States.  Shell  fish 
were  a  very  important  addition  to  the  resourc(!S  of  those 
who  dwelt  near  the  sea-coast,  and  in  the  interior,  various 
3 


I        "Ml 


l;_i..i-: 


■til! 


■   ■■  i'M 


•I 


14 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


species  of  wild  roots,  and  certain  nutritious  baric  supplied 
the  failure  of  the  cultivated  cro}),  and  fiiruislicd  the  means 
to  eke  out  a  subsistence  when  the  hunt  was  unsuccessful 
or  the  last  year's  stores  had  been  consumed  before  the  sea- 
son of  harvest. 

To  cflect  a  clearing,  and  to  secure  a  crop  with  such  rude 
implements  of  stone  as  they  possessed,  appears  to  us  almost 
an  impracticable  undertaking;  but  we  are  assured,  by  early 
writers,  that  they  obtained  as  large  a  yield  from  a  given 
spot  of  ground  as  can  be  produced  by  the  assistance  of 
all  modern  conveniences  and  contrivances.  Two  dishes, 
gi'eatly  in  vogue  among  the  Indians,  have  maintained  tlicir 
popularity  among  their  European  successors.  Green  corn, 
the  ripening  of  which  was  celebrated  hy  a  national  dance, 
is  souglit  as  eagerly  as  when  it  supplied  a  grateful  relresh- 
ment  to  the  red  men,  emaciated,  as  Smith  describes  them, 
by  the  Spring  diet  of  fish  and  roots.  A  preparation, 
denominated  "Succotash,"  consisting  of  maize,  boiled  with 
beans,  and  flavored  with  fat  bear's  meat,  or  fish,  still 
remains  (with  the  substitution  of  pork  for  wild  meats)  a 
favorite  dish  in  New  England.  Carver  says  that,  as  pre- 
pared by  the  natives,  it  was  "bc_yc  .d  comparison  delicious." 

It  is  singulnr  that  tlie  use  of  milk  should  have  been 
entirely  unknown  before  the  advent  of  the  whites,  although 
there  were  various  animals  i\\  the  country  from  which  it 
might  have  been  pi-ocurcd.  This  fact  has  been  adduced 
as  a  strong  argument  against  the  hypothesis,  that  innni- 
grants  from  the  nomadic  tribes  of  Tartary  have  miiigkKl 
with  the  red  race  in  comparatively  modern  times.  If  the 
ferocity  or  wildness  of  the  buifalo,  deer,  or  elk,  had  at 
first  seemed  to  render  their  domestication  impracticable, 
yet  it  is  not  probable  that  so  important  an  article  of  sub- 
sistence would  have  been  not  onl}'-  disused,  but  entirely 
forgotten,  until  many  generations  had  passed  away. 

With  the  foregoing  brief  sketch  of  some  of  the  more 


mai 

porl 

pro! 

son! 

witll 

omi 

ticu] 

beloi 


GENERAL   CHARACTERISTICS. 


35 


mtirkcd  Indian  traits  and  peculiarities,  we  will  dismiss  tliis 
portion  of  our  subject;  and,  dealing  no  more  in  generalities, 
proceed  to  take  up  tlic  history  of  various  tribes  aud  nations, 
somewhat  in  the  order  of  the  dates  of  their  first  intercourso 
with  Europeans.  We  need  make  no  apology  for  the 
omission  of  many  minor  clans,  or  for  avoiding  that  par 
ticularity,  in  the  delineation  of  private  cliaracter,  v/liich 
belongs  rather  to  biography  than  to  general  liistorj. 


'ft  t'  ' 


M' 


« 


m 


i> 


if 


i    " 


.n 


;.i , 


a 


■^11 


Ur 


{■  I 


u 


AMERICAN   ANTIQUITIES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

UNITED    STATES    TEKRITOKY,    ETC. 

"But  what  are  Tlicse,  still  ataiviiiig  in  the  midst? 
Tho  Earth  has  /ocked  beneath;  tiie  Thuiuler-stone 
Passed  through  and  through,  and  left  its  traees  there, 
Yet  still  they  stand  as  by  some  Unknown  Charter! 
Oh,  they  are  Nature's  own!  and,  as  allied 
To  the  vast  ^lountains  and  the  eternal  Sea, 
They  want  no  written  history;  tiieirs  a  voice 
For  ever  speaking  to  the  heart  of  Man!"' — Roceks. 

In  the  absence  of  any  written  record  of  those  numerous 
races  which  formerly  peopled  this  hemisphere,  information 
mnst  be  songht  in  their  monuments,  and  in  the  disinterred 
relics  of  their  ancient  manner  of  life.  These,  considering 
tho  almost  unbroken  wilderness  which  presented  itself 
to  the  first  white  adventurers,  are  surprisingly  numerous. 
They  indicate  the  former  existence  of  populous  nations, 
excelling  in  many  of  the  arts  of  civilization,  and  cajiable, 
by  their  numbers  and  combination,  of  executing  the  most 
gigantic  works  for  religion,  public  defence,  and  commem- 
oration of  the  dead.  Such  relics,  though,  for  the  most  part, 
not  immediately  pertaining  to  the  history  of  the  Indian 
tribes,  have  supported  the  conjectures  advanced  by  Hum- 
boldt and  other  eminent  cosmographers,  that  these  races  are 
but  the  dwindled  and  degraded  remains  of  once  flourishiuii 
and  populous  nations.  Tho  retrograih^  process  lo  which 
ceitaiu  forms  of  incomplete  civilization  a})pear  doomed,  lias 


1 


i . 


1 1 


and 


rrrz 


AMERICAN  ANTIQUITIES. 


87 


perhaps  bcoii  most  strildnglj  exemplified  in  tlie  difTcrence 
to  bo  discovered  between  tlie  feeble  and  scattered  tribes 
of  tlic  red  race,  and  those  power  fid  and  popidous  com- 
mnnities  who  occupied  the  soil  before  thorn. 

The  relics  of  the  former  people,  usually  discovered  on  or 
slightly  beneath  the  surfa.ce  of  the  ground,  are  of  a  rude 
and  simple  character,  dilTering  htlle  from  the  specimens 
common  among  their  dosecModanls  of  the  present  day. 
The  flint  arrow-head,  chipped  painfully  into  shape — the 
stone  tomal  iwk,  knife,  and  chisel — the  pipe,  the  rude  pot- 
tery and  savage  ornaments,  are  their  only  relics ;  and  these 
differ  but  little  from  the  same  articles  still  liibricated  bv 
their  successors. 

Except  among  the  Esquimaux,  who  occasionally  use 
stone,  and  who  avail  themselves  of  the  arch  and  dome 
in  the  construction  of  their  snow  huts,  notliing  like  regular 
architecture  can  be  assigned  to  the  late  or  modern  tribes 
occupying  this  continent  northward  of  Mexico.  The 
Indian  tumuli,  or  mounds  of  burial,  are  generally  small 
and  of  simple  construction.  It  has,  however,  been  ration- 
ally supposed  that  the  force  of  religious  custom,  surviving 
art  and  civilization,  has  preserved  to  the  red  tribes  this 
characteristic  method  of  their  forefathers;  and  that  the 
rude  barrows,  which  they  still  erect,  are  but  the  puny  and 
dwindled  descendants  of  those  mighty  mounds  and  ter- 
raced pyramids  which  still  rear  their  heads  from  the  isth- 
mus to  the  lakes,  and  from  the  shores  of  Florida  to  the 
Mexican  Cordilleras. 

The  origin  of  these  and  of  other  unquestion.ably  ancient 
remains,  is  to  the  antiquarian  a  question  of  the  most  lively 
and  perplexing  interest.  Here,  in  unknown  ages  and  for 
unknown  periods,  have  existed  wcilth,  power,  and  civil- 
ization ;  yet  the  remains  by  which  these  are  indicated  seem 
to  furnish  but  a  slight  clue  to  the  epoch  and  history  of 
their  long-vanished  constructors.    Within  the  mounds  and 


V   *l 


■■#  i 


.■!' ■ 


! 


'■'.   Ml;-- 


5; 


I 


^>    ;il 


f.     'i3  >l 


li 

1  f 


j, 


:|. 


,! 


\f: 


Ti 


38 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


mnrul  cmbanlcmciits  scattered  throngli  a  large  portion  of 
this  country,  arc  found  the  remains  of  high  mechanical 
and  Rcientific  art.  Pottorj,  the  most  fi-ngilo  of  man's 
works,  3^et  almost  indestructible  Ly  time,  still  rcmams  iu 
large  quantities  and  in  good  preservation.  In  the  com- 
position and  coloring  of  these  articl '3,  much  chemical  skill 
is  evinced;  while  in  many  cases,  their  grace  of  form  and 
pcrf(>.ction  of  fmish  rival  the  remains  of  Grecian  or  I^trus- 
can  art.  Some  of  these  ancient  vessels  are  of  immense 
size;  one,  disinterred  from  a  Western  mound,  being  eight- 
een feet  iu  length  by  six  in  breadth.  Glass  beads  of  rare 
aiid  elaborate  construction  have  been  found;  stone  orna- 
ments, skilfully  wrought,  and  brick,  much  resembling 
that  in  modern  use,  have  been  often  discovered. 

Met.'illic  remains  arc  frequent.  Copper,  used  both  for 
weapons  and  for  ornament,  has  often  been  found,  and  occa- 
sionally sj)ecimens,  plated  v/ith  silver,  have  been  disinter- 
red. At  an  ancient  mound  in  Marietta,  a  silver  cup 
fuiel  V  gilt  on  the  inside,  was  cx2)osed  to  view  by  the  wash- 
ing of  a  stream.  It  has  been  often  questioned  whether 
the  use  of  iron  was  known  to  these  aboriginal  races;  but 
except  the  occasional  presence  of  rust  in  the  excavations, 
little  has  been  ascertained  Avith  certainty — the  perishable 
nature  of  that  metal  peculiarly  exposing  it  to  the  destroy- 
ing influence  of  time  and  dampness. 

Inscriptions,  upon  rocks,  mostly  of  a  hierogly])hic  char- 
acter, are  numerous;  and  on  tlie  walls  of  several  caverns 
in  the  west,  some  extraordinary  specimens  may  be  seen. 
In  the  same  gloomy  receptacles  have  been  found  numbers 
of  a  species  of  nmmmy,  mr)st  carefully  prepared,  and 
beautifully  covered  with  colored  feathers,  symmetrically 
arranged.  Stone  coffins  and  burial  urns  of  great  beauty 
have  also  been  disinhumed  from  the  Western  mounds. 


11 


AMEKI'-AN  ANTIQUITIES.  39 

MOUNDS    A\'D    FOUTIFICATIONS. 

"*         *         *         *         Arc  tlicy  lien — 
Tliu  (lead  of  other  dnys? — And  did  tlie  dust 
Of  tlieHo  fair  solitudes  otiec  stir  witii  lii'e, 
And  l)urn  witli  passion? — I.et  the  mi!,dity  mounds 
That  o\ei'lo(ik  the  ri\'ers,  or  tiiat  rise 
In  tlie  dim  forest,  crowded  uitli  (dd  oaks, 
Answi'r.     A  race  tiiat  ionjr  lias  passed  away 
Built  them;  a  diseijtlined  and  populous  race 
Heaped,  witli  lonp  toil,  the  earth,  while  yet  the  Greek 
Was  hcwin;^''  the  IVntelicus  to  forms 
Of  synuiietry,  and  rearing'  on  its  rock 
The  plitterinir  Parthenon.     These  ample  fields 
Nourished  their  harvests;  liere  their  herds  were  fed, 
When  haply  by  their  stalls  the  bison  lowed, 
And  bowed  his  maned  shoulder  to  the  yoke." 

Bryant. 

The  mural  remains,  in  tlic  United  States  alone,  are  of 
almost  incredible  number,  and  of  most  imposing  magnitude. 
It  has  been  asserted  by  an  accurate  western  antiquarian — 
"I  sliould  not  exaggerate  if  I  were  to  say  that  mpre  than 
five  thousand  might  be  found,  some  of  them  enclosing 
more  than  a  hundred  acres."  The  mounds  and  tumuli, 
he  remark?,  are  far  more  numerous.  Professor  Ealinesque 
ascertained  the  existence  of  more  than  five  hundred  ancient 
monuments  in  Kentucky  alone,  and  fourteen  hundred  in 
other  states,  most  of  which  he  had  personally  examined. 
These  remains  appear  most  numerous  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  Mississi2)pi  and  its  tributaries,  and  near  the  great  lakes 
and  the  rivers  which  flow  into  them.  A  striking  proof 
of  their  immense  antiquity  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact  that 
the  latter  stand  upon  the  ancient  margin  of  the  lakes,  from 
which,  in  some  immemorial  age,  their  waters  are  known 
to  have  receded. 

It  is  remarkable  that  these  peculiar  works  of  antiquity 
toui^h  the  ocean  only  in  Florida  at  the  southern  extremity 


■'"•t- -.".1,;  .mil 


'•'fv 


'm 


,.-!.■<■ 


m 


.V  .'    . 

*  4t»L 


i 


(~ 


iO 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMKUICA. 


of  the  Atlantic  coast;  and  their  greater  nninbcr  and  mag- 
nitude in  tlic  soutli  and  west  seems  to  foiliCy  tlie  sii]»i)osi- 
tiou  that  their  f(,)nnders  ean)e  originally  fidiu  ^lexieo,  and 
■wen?,  perhaps,  a  people  identical  with  the  builders  ol'  Clio- 
lula  and  Tcotihuaeaii. 

IMic  extent  of  some  of  these  works  is  cxtraordinaiy. 
In  New  York,  (where  at  least  a  hundred  of  theiu  have  been 
surveyed)  in  the  county  of  Onondaga,  formerly  existed 
the  remains  of  a  fortification  eueloslim-  more  than  live 
hundred  acres.  Three  circular  forts,  dis2)osed  as  a  trian- 
gle, and  situated  about  eight  miles  dit^tant  fi'om  each  other, 
served  as  its  outworks.  In  many  of  these  fortified  places, 
considerable  military  skill  is  evinced;  angles,  bastions, 
and  curtains,  being  frc(piently  traceable.  "'I'hough  nuich 
defaced  by  time,"  says  a  traveller,  of  the  entrenchnieuts 
near  lake  Pepin,  "every  angle  was  distinguishable,  and 
appeared  as  regular,  and  fashioned  with  as  much  military 
skill,  iis  if  planned  by  Vaubau  liimsclf," 

Some  of  the  most  remarkable  of  these  works  ha^•e  been 
discovered  in.Georgia.  On  the  banks  of  tlu?  liittle  Kivcr, 
near  Wrightsborough,  are  found  the  remnants  of  "a  stu- 
pendous conical  pyramid,  vast  tcti'agon  terraec;^,  and  a 
large  sunken  or  excavated  area  of  a  cubical  form,  encom- 
passed with  bank's  of  earth,  and  also  tlio  remains  of  an 
extensive  town."  Other  and  similar  structures  occur  in 
the  same  region.  On  the  Savannah,  among  other  extensive 
remains,  is  a  conical  mound,  truncated,  fill}'  feet  in  height, 
and  eight  hundred  in  circumference  at  its  base.  In  other 
portions  of  the  same  region  are  found  excavations,  and 
vast  quadrangular  terraces.  Florida  abounds  in  vestiges 
of  a  similar  nature. 

At  the  Ww-^t,  these  r(nnains  assume  a  much  more  perma- 
nent and  imposing  character.  On  a  branch  of  the  i\rusk- 
ingum  river,  in  Ohio,  a  scries  of  entrenchments  and  mouiidr^, 
two  miles  in  length,  and  of  great  solidity  of  struct ui-e,  i.s 


t-^ 


AMEUICAN  ANTigillTlKS. 


41 


fourKl  io  exist.  In  Licking  county,  a  most  extensive  range 
of  fortilicalions,  cnibmciiig  or  protocting  an  extent  ofsev* 
iM'.il  m-ilc'^,  lias  been  traei^l. 

At  Ciix'i:-ville,  in  tlie  same  state,  were  ionnd  two  (exten- 
sive eailheii  enelosures,  one  an  exact  circle,  and  the  otlier 
a  correct  square,  correspondin.u;  precisely  to  the  cardinal 
))<>iiits  of  the  coni})ass;  ami  a  mound  ninety  feet  in  lieij^ht. 
In  most  of  these  and  other  similar  ruins,  stone  was  uscil, 
though  to  a  limited  extent.  Parallel  walls,  communicating 
with  the  water,  sometimes  at  a  distance  of  several  miles, 
arc  features  common  to  many  of  these  struct'^rcs.  Faiilier 
west,  the  extensive  use  of  brick  in  constructing  simihir 
edifices  has  been  ascertained;  and  an  arched  sewer,  con- 
structed of  stone,  indicates  a  knowled<2,e  of  architecture  fai» 
superior  to  that  possessed  by  most  S(.Mni-ci^'ili/cd  nations. 

In  Missouri,  and  other  regions  of  the  west,  the  ivmains 
of  stone  buildings  have  Ixn-n  fi'e([UiMitly  discovered  — in 
one  instance,  those  ol'  a  town,  regularly  laid  out  in  street.s 
and  squares.  Upon  the  Missouri  and  Aikunsas  ri\ei-s, 
some  (^f  the  most  extensive  fortified  woi'ks  are  found.  I', 
one  of  these,  on  the  latter  river,  are  two  immense  mounds, 
truncated,  each  eighty  feet  high,  and  out'  th(Misand  in  cir- 
cumference at  the  base. 

These  gigantic  mouads  are  anions?  the  most  interesting 
and  thickly  scattered  relics  of  the  vaaished  races.  -.Many 
of  them  arc  tumuli,  or  sepulchres  of  the  dead,  others  were 
connected  with  the  defensive  fortiP.cations,  and  others,  of 
the  grandest  and  most  imposing  aspect,  were  probably  huge 
altars  of  idolatrous  worshi[).*  In  general,  these  ancient 
mounds  may  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Indians 
by  their  greater  size,  and  still  more  certainly  by  the  nature 
of  their  contents.  Some  of  these  latter  have  already  been 
described.     Besides  utensils  of  lead,  sdver,  and  copper,  the 

*  The  iisii.il  material  employed  in  tlioir  construction  is  earth,  thongh 
occaaion.illy  they  liavo  been  built  of  stone. 


i  I 
I  I 


IT''. 


w 


:n: 


i 


-I , 


;'i 


* 


■■V, 


•:*  s    "i 


•#^" 


r 

N 


r" 


42 


INDIAN   HACKS  Ol-'  AMKUICA. 


i'V 


oxy(Vi/-<Ml  roinaiiis  of  iron  liavc  Ih'imi  CoiiimI.  Mica  inlrrons 
of  various  sixos,  with  a  varii'lv  oi'  iiiaiiiic  shrlls,  are  among 
tlio  deposits. 

'rii(>  pracfuio  of  Itiii'iiinii;  the  <1«mi1  ai'pi'ars  to  lia\-t>  l>ccn 
coniMioii.  Mass(\s  of  aslics  aiul  cliaivo;!!  ;nv  oCicii  roimd 
■mixed  with  incinerated  lioncs.  In  l'';iirlield  county,  ( )liio, 
a  ]\\\<^c  earthern-warc  caldi'oii,  jilaced  upon  a,  fiii'iiacc,  was 
di.-intei'red.  It  was  eighteen  leet  K)n;j  l>y  six  lu'oad;  and 
contained  the  .skelott)ns  of  twelve  ]»ersoiis,  besid(>s  various 
articles,  wUieli  had  been  buried  with  them.  'I'hey  wiu'o 
in  a  large  mound,  fifteen  feet  below  the  surface  uf  tlu;  eai'th. 

In  the  great  mound  at  Cireleville,  an  inunenso  nundxT 
of  skeletons  "werc  found,  all  laid  with  their  heai|s  toward 
the  centre. 

In  Illinois,  r.earlj  op[)osito  St.  Louis,  within  tlic  circuit 
of  a  few  miles,  are  more  thau  an  hundred  and  fifty  luounds, 
some  of  extraordinary  si/e.  One  of  them,  tbrmoi'ly  occu- 
pied by  monks  of  the  Oi'der  of  La  Trappe,  is  ninety  feet 
in  height  and  nearlj^  lialf  a  mile  in  circumference.  It  is 
a  remarkable  circumstance  that  the  soil  of  which  these 
huTe  cones  arc  constructe(],  must  occasionally  have  beeu 
brought  from  a  great  distance.*  The  occasional  exist- 
ence of  terraces  or  stages  of  ascent  woidd  seem  to  indi- 
cate a  similarity  of  origin  witli  the  pyramidal  structures 
of  Mexico.  "'^' 

Indeed,  it  is  diflicidt  to  suppose  that  the  authors  of  these 
extensive  remains  could  have  had  other  than  a  south-west- 
ern oi'igin.  All  are  ancient  in  the  extreme;  yet  probably 
they  were  erected  by  successive  races,  and  the  most  ven- 
erable antiquity  seems  attached  to  tlic  forest-covered 
mounds  of  the  West. 

Mr.  Bradford,  in  his  interesting  Researches  into  the  Ori- 
gin of  the  Red  Race,  (from  which  many  of  the  foregoing 

*  ]\I;iny  others  of  great  size,  varyintr  somewh.it  in  form,  yet  all  evincing 
a  striking  similarity  in  construction,  might  be  described. 


"^>* 


f 


r-- 


? 


1 


ANrKUk'AX  ANTIQUITIES. 


43 


f;u'ls  li.ivt;  l)ccii  drawn,)  a«lii[ils  with  Hafrty  tlio  followii);^ 
CDticliisioiis  in  regard  to  tlu*  aiieicnt  occupants  of  our  soil. 

1.  "That  tlioy  wore  all  ol'tiic  same  ori^^in,  branches  ul" 
the  same  rav,  and  possessed  of  siniilar  customs  and  insti- 
tutions. 

2.  "That  Ihey  -were  populous,  and  occupied  a  great 
extent  of  tt*rt'itory. 

''\.  "That  they  had  arrived  at  a  considerable  deg'ree  of 
eivili/.ation,  wore  associated  in  large  communities,  and  li\'ed 
in  extensive  cities. 

-i.  "  j'hat  they  possessed  the  use  of  many  of  the  metals, 
such  as  lead,  co{)])er,  gold,  and  silver,  and  probably  tho 
art  of  woi'king  in  them. 

5.  "That  they  scul])turcd,  in  stone,  and  sometimes  used 
that  material  in  the  construction  of  their  cdilices. 

G.  That  they  had  the  knowledge  of  the  arcli  of  receding 
steps;  of  the  art  of  ])otteiT, — in'oducing  urns  and  utensils 
formed  "with  taste,  and  constructed  upon  the  prinei})les  of 
chemical  composhion;  and  of  the  art  of  brick-making. 


"7      "M' 


That  they  worked  the  salt  springs,  and  manufactured 
that  sidistance. 

8.  "  That  they  -were  an  agricultural  people,  living  under 
the  influence  and  protection  of  regular  forms  of  government.* 

9.  "  That  they  possessed  a  decided  system  of  religion, 
and  a  mythology  connected  with  astronomy,  which,  with 
its  sister  science,  geometry,  was  in  the  }<ands  of  tho 
priesthood. 

10.  "That  they  were  skilled  in  the  art  of  fortification. 

11.  "Tliat  the  epoch  of  their  original  settlement,  in  the 
United  States,  is  of  great  antiquity;  and, 

Lu'^thj,  "That  the  oidy  indications  of  their  origin,  to  be 
gathered  from  the  locality  of  their  ruined  monuments, 
point  tow^ard  Mexico." 


1] ' 


. .  .*,.i;s 


44  INDrANT  HACKS  OF  AMKltlCA. 


CllAPTKU  II. 

ANTiqUITinS    OI'    MKXICO,    ETC. 

"Thoy  Rt'ind  between  tlic  mount:ii;is  arul  the  sea;  " 
Awful  iMcmini.ilM,  Imt  nf  wlioin  we  know  not! 
— 'I'iinc  was  they  stoml  jiloii^'  tlie,  erowiloil  Hlreet, 
Teniple-.  of  (joil.s!" — Uouuiis. 

The  Soulh-wcstcrn  roglona  of  Nortli  America  present  a 
most  extensive  aiul  iiUercstiiigCiold  f()r;inti(piiiri;i!i  research. 
The  loiig-eontimuMl  existence  of  powerful,  civilized,  and 
populous  races  is  fully  proved  by  tho  occurrence  of  almost 
innumerable  ruins  and  national  relics.  Even  in  the  six- 
leenth  century,  the  Spanish  invaders  found  these  re<ji;ions 
in  the  possession  of  a  higlily-prospcrous  a)id  partially- 
civili/.ed  people.  Government  and  social  institutions  \V(ue 
upon  that  firm  and  well-dcfmcd  basis  which  bctokctuHl 
long  continuance  and  strong  national  sentiment.  In  uiany 
of  the  arts  and  sciences,  the  subjugated  races  were  ecpial, 
and  in  others  superior,  to  their  Christian  conquerors. 
Their  public  edifices  and  internal  improvements  were  on 
as  high  a  scale,  and  of  as  scientific  a  character,  as  those 
of  most  European  nations  of  the  day. 

Tho  fanatical  zeal  of  Cortez  and  his  successors  destroyed 
invaluable  records  of  their  history  and  nationalit}-;  and 
many  of  their  most  splendid  edifices  fell  before  the  ravag(*s 
of  war  and  bigotry;  yet  numerous  structures  still  exist, 
though  in  ruins,  attesting  tho  art  and  industry  of  tlicir 
founders.  PyraTiiid.^',  in  great  numbers,  still  rear  thi^ir 
terraced  and  truncated  surfaces  through  the  land.  In  the 
first  fury  of  the  conquest,  the  great  Teocalli,  or  Temple 
of  the  city  of  ^fexico,  was  levelled  to  the  ground,  and 
■we  can  only  learn  by  the  description  of  its  destroyers,  with 
what  pomp  and  ceremony  the  Alexicans  celebrated  on  its 


■w^ 


FT" 
I 


AMERICAN   ANTigU ITIKS. 


45 


summit  the  ritos  of  tlioir  H;in,miiiiary  worship.  Tlio  coloa* 
s:il  ligiircrt  of  tlio  sun  ami  moon,  covered  with  plates  of 
gold,  the  hideous  stono  of  sacritieo,  luid  the  terrible  sound 
of  the  j^reat  war-drum,  ai'c  mingK'd  with  strange  fascina- 
tion of  description  m  the  pag<\s  of  the  early  ehronielers. 

Jn  the  city  of  Te/.cueo,  which  is  said  to  have  contained 
an  hundred  and  forty  thousand  houses,  are  the  remains  of 
a  groat  ])yramid,  built  of  large  nuisscs  of  basalt,  lincly 
l)olislu;d  and  curiously  sculptured  in  hieroglyphics.  Other 
similar  edifices  in  tlie  neighborhood  are  cotnposed  of 
brick.  The  enormous  structure  of  Cholula,  covering  a 
surface  twice  larger  than  the  great  Egyptian  })yramid,  but 
truncated  at  half  its  altitude,  still,  in  its  ruius,  excites  the 
admiration  of  travellers. 

A  still  more  extraordinary  effort  of  setni-civilized  indus- 
try is  to  be  found  in  the  celebrated  Xochicalco,  or  "House 
of  M(jwerp,"  situated  on  the  plain  of  Cueriuivaca,  more 
than  a  mile  above  the  level  of  the  '^ea.  It  appears  to  be 
a  uatiiial  hill,  shapel  in  a  pyramidal  form  by  luunan  labor, 
and  divided  into  four  terraces.  It  is  between  Three  and 
I'onr  himdred  feet  in  height,  aud  nearly  three  miles  in  eir- 
eumferenec. 

J^]ight  leagues  from  th'e  city  of  Mexico  are  the  two  cele-* 
brated  pyramids  of  Tcotihiuican,  sacred,  according  to  tra- 
(liticMi,  to  Ihe  (leiiied  sun  and  moon.  U'lic  large:-  lias  a 
l)ase  nearly  seven  Imndi'od  foot  in  length,  aud  is  an  hun- 
dred and  eighty  feet  in  height.  They  arc  faced  with  stone, 
and  covered  with  a  durable  cement  These  pyramidal 
structures  may  bo  estimated  by  thousands  in  the  South- 
west(^rn  provinces  of  this  continent. 

TliG  ruins  of  ancient  cities,  in  the  same  region,  are 
extremely  numerons,  and  eveiy  thing  evinces  the  former 
existence  of  a  swarming  and  inlusti'ious  ])opulation.  In 
Te/.eueo  and  ils  vicinity  arc  the  nMuains  of  vei'y  maguili- 
ecnt  buiMings  and  aipicducts.     At  Mitlan,  in  the  district 


1  i 


i 


j; 


■'i'Q:it''^ 


"••1 


'*!'*'  .1.1 


Jd 


f 


f 


t  1  .  *r-  *« 


n 


,!f- 


'f 


V.     Mi> ' 


•if-; 


IXIMAX  liACES  OF  AMERICA. 


of  Ziipoteca,  occur  spcciincns  of  architecture  of  tlic  most 
imposing  character.  Six  porjiliyry  columns,  each  nine- 
teen foot  in  heic-'ht,  and  of  a  sinc'le  stone,  decorated  the 

0  7  i..y  / 

interior  of  the  principal  building.  Elaborate  ]\rosaic  work 
and  illustrative  paintings  abound,  strongly  resembling 
some  of  the  classical  antiquities. 

The  rnins  of  Palonquc,  in  Chiapa,  arc  among  the  most 
extensive  and  remarkable.  ITere  formerly  stood  a  great 
city,  the  remains  of  which  can  be  traced,  it  is  said,  over  a 
Rjxicc  six  or  seven  leagues  in  circumference.  ]\Iuch  elab- 
orate sculpture,  exhibiting  curious  historical  reliefs,  is  dis- 
covered in  the  forsaken  apartments  of  the  ancient  palaces 
and  temples.  These  represent  human  sacrifices,  dances, 
devotic'-',  and  other  national  customs.  The  richly-carved 
figure  (ii'  a  cross  excites  surprise  and  speculation — the 
same  emblem  having  been  discovered  elsewhere,  as  ^\ .  Q 
as  in  Northern  America. 

!Many  surprising  remains,  both  of  erection  and  excava- 
tion, arc  to  be  found  near  Villa  Nueva,  in  the  province  of 
Zacatecas.  A  rocky  mountain  has  been  cut  into  terraces, 
and  extensive  ruins  of  pyramids,  causcAvays,  quadrangu- 
lar enclosures,  and  massive  walls  arc  still  standinof. 

At  Copan,  in  Honduras,  among  many  other  remarkable 
works,  are  found  numerous  stone  obelisks,  of  little  height, 
covered  with  hieroglyj)ljical  representations.  The  relics 
of  a  fantastic  idolatiy  are  frequent,  "^fonstrous  figures 
arc  found  amongst  the  ruins;  one  represents  the  colossal 
head  of  an  alligator,  having  in  its  jaws  a  figure  with  a 
human  face,  but  the  paws  of  an  animal ;  another  monster 
has  the  a]")pearance  of  a  gigantic  toad  in  an  erect  pos- 
ture, with  human  arms  and  tiger's  claws."  At  the  time  of 
the  Spanish  conquest,  Copan  was  still- a  large  and  popu- 
lous city.     Tt  is  now  utterly  deserted. 

The  extensive  ruins  of  Uxmal  or  Itzlan,  in  Yucatan, 
have  been,  ever  since  the  memory  of  man,  overgrown  with 


i 


AMERICAN    ANTIQUITIES. 


47 


an  ancient  forest.  At  this  place  is  a  large  conrt,  paved 
entirely  with  the  figures  of  tortoises,  beautifully  carved 
in  relief  This  curious  pavement  consists  of  more  than 
forty-three  thousand  of  these  reptiles,  much  woi'ii,  lliwiigh 
cut  u})on  very  hard  stone.  A  large  p^'ramid  and  tcm})lo 
arc  still  standing,  containing  some  elegant  statues,  and, 
it  is  supposed,  the  representation  of  the  elephant.  Great 
mathematical  accuracy  and  adhesion  to  the  cardinal  points 
distinguish  the  relics  of  this  city. 

Many  other  extraordinary  remains  might  be  cited.  The 
works  of  the  Mexican  nation,  such  as  it  was  found  by  the 
Sj)aniard.s,  were  of  a  massive  and  enduring  character. 
Extensive  walls,  designed  for  a  defence  against  foreign 
enemies;  large  public  granaries  and  baths,  with  admir- 
able roads  and  aqueducts,  evinced  a  degree  of  power  and 
enliglitenment  to  Avhich  the  colored  races  have  seldom 
attained. 

Sculpture  and  elaborate  carving  were  favorite  occupa- 
tions of  the  ^Mexicans,  as  well  as  of  their  forefathei's,  or 
the  races  which  preceded  them.  The  famous  Stone  of 
Sacrifice,  the  Calendar  of  ^Montezuma,  and  the  hideous 
idol  Teoyamique,  all  still  preserved,  attest  the  grotes(pie- 
ness  and  elaborate  fancy  of  their  designs.  The  latter 
image,  as  described  by  a  traveller,  "is  hewn  out  of  one 
solid  block  of  basalt,  nine  feet  high.  Its  outlines  give  an 
idea  (""f  a  deformed  human  figure,  uniting  all  that  is  ter- 
rible in  the  tiger  and  rattle-snake.  Instead  of  arms,  it  is 
su])plied  with  two  large  serpents,  and  its  drapeiy  is  com- 
].)osed  of  wreathed  snakes,  interwoven  in  the  most  disgust- 
ing manner,  and  the  sides  terminating  in  the  wings  of  a 
vulture.  Its  feet  are  those  of  a  tiger,  and  between  them 
lies  tlie  head  of  another  rattle-snake,  which  seems  descend- 
ing from  the  body  of  the  idol.  For  decorations,  it  has  a 
largo  necklace  composed  of  human  hearts,  hnndh  and 
skulls,  and  it  has   c\'idently  been   2)aiiitpd  originally  in 


wlmf 


b    'I 


1:1 


O 


m 


M 


(f 


%)i-\B 


•  *  *   J  '- 


■n.'. 


I      MS 


M    *1 


Ht' 


x 


'i 


-rfi 


i^' 


'  Tt^/" 


N 


48 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


natural  colors."  Other  figiinjs  of  tlic  deified  rattle-snake 
Lave  been  discovered. 

Great  skill  existed  in  tlieart  of  pottery,  and  many  ves- 
sels of  exquisite  design  and  fmisli  have  been  disinterred. 

The  liieroglyphical  paintings  and  manuscripts  of  the 
]\[exicans  were,  with  few  exceptions,  destroyed  by  their 
fanatical  conquerors.  Some  choice  specimens,  however, 
still  exist;  principally  exhibiting  the  migrations  of  the 
Aztecs,  their  wars,  their  religious  ceremonies,  and  the 
genealogy  of  their  sovereigns.  Almanacs  and  other  cal- 
endars of  an  astronomical  nature  have  been  preserved. 
The  material  of  the  manuscript  consists  of  tlic  skins  of 
animals,  or  of  a  kind  of  vegetable  paper,  formed  in  a  man- 
ner similar  to  the  Egyptian  papyrus. 

Of  the  numerous  cities  and  temples,  whose  remains  are 
so  abundant,  inany  were,  doubtless,  erected  by  the  Aztec 
people,  whom  Cortoz  found  so  numerous  and  flourishing, 
or  by  their  immediate  ancestors.  Others  were,  jjrobably, 
constructed  at  a  remote  age,  and  by  a  people  who  had  at  an 
early  period  migrated  to  these  regions.  A  certain  resem- 
blance, however,  a|)])ears  to  pervade  them  all.  The  pre- 
sence of  enormous  [pyramids  and  (piadrangles,  the  peculiar 
construction  of  causeways  and  aqueducts,  and  the  great 
similarity  in  mythological  re])resentation,  appear  to  indi- 
cate that  their  founders  wei'e  originally  of  a  conunou  stock, 
and  all  of  certain  n.'itional  prei^ossessions. 


AMERICAN     ANTIQUITIES.  49 

CHAPTER  III. 

ANTIQUITIES    OF    SOUTH    AMEFIICA. 

«  *     *     *     YVf.  arc  but  wliere  we  \Vv>-re, 
Still  vvauderiiiy  in  a  City  of  the  Dead!" 

Rogi;rs. 

At  the  Spanisli  discovery,  South  America,  like  the 
Nortlieni  continent,  was,  in  a  great  i)ortion,  peopled  by 
half-sava<i;c  tribes,  resembling  the  Indians  of  our  own 
country.  Some  powerful  and  partially-civilized  kingdoms, 
however,  yet  survived,  and  of  these,  the  empire  of  the 
Peruvian  Incas  was  the  first.  Under  the  sway  of  these 
powerful  sovereigns  was  comprehended  an  extensive  dis- 
trict, lying  along  the  Pacific  coast  for  many  hundreds  of 
miles.  Other  nations,  in  their  vicinity,  of  whose  history 
we  are  ignorant,  also  possessed  a  considerable  share  of 
power  and  independent  government. 

The  antiquities  of  these  regions,  so  similar  to  those  of 
the  Northern  continent,  appear  to  prove  a  similarity  of 
origin  in  their  founders.  Very  numerous  mounds  occur, 
some  of  them  two  hundred  feet  in  height,  and  containing 
relics  of  the  dead.  Urns  of  fine  construc^on,  and  human 
bodies  interred  in  a  sitting  posture  have  been  excavated. 
Embalming  has  evidently  been  extensively  practised,  and 
in  many  instances  the  arid  nature  of  the  soil,  without  this 
precauti(Mi,  has  preserved  the  bodies  of  its  ancient  inhabit- 
tants.  Caverns  appear  to  have  been  frequently  adopted 
as  cemeteries.  In  one  of  these,  six  hundred  skeletons 
were  found,  bent  double,  and  regularly  arranged  in  bask- 
ets. Stone  tombs,  of  a  very  massive  construction,  have 
also  been  disinhumed. 

In  these  mounds  and  graves  are  found  a  great  variety 
of  ancient  im]3lements,  of  gold,  copper,  and  stone.  Kxqui- 
»jite  carvings  in  stone,  and  jewels  evincing  gi^cat  skill  in 


^^"^^nr* 


"jrr-ypn. 


Miill 


Ml 


\    ^t 


'A. 


> 


M*l 


I'-^ 


60 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


tlie  ]a))i(larj,  have  been  discovered.  Tlie  idols  of  gold 
and  copper  arc  often  of  singular  construction,  being  formed 
of  till  a  plates  of  metal  hammered  into  their  rcspeetivo 
shapes,  without  a  single  seam.  Stone  mirrors  and  vases 
of  marble,  weapons,  domestic  utensils,  cotton  cloth  of  fine 
texture,  and  the  implements  of  ancient  mining,  have  also 
been  frequently  brought  to  light. 

The  system  of  ancient  agriculture  and  of  artificial  irri- 
gation appears  to  have  been  extremely  ingenious,  and  w.ell 
adapted  to  the  nature  of  the  soil  and  climate,  reminding 
us  strongly  of  the  Chinese  industry  in  effecting  similar 
objects.  The  steepest  mountains  were  laid  out  in  terraces, 
and  aqueducts  of  the  most  solid  and  durable  construction 
conveyed  water  for  domestic  uses  and  the  fertilization  of 
land.  In  some  instances,  the  pipes  of  these  aqueducts  were 
of  gold — a  circumstance  which  excited  the  cupidity  of  the 
Spaniards,  and  contributed  to  their  destruction. 

The  public  roads  and  causeways  laid  out  by  this  ancient 
people,  may  justly  compete  with  the  most  celebrated  works 
of  the  same  kind  in  the  old  world.  Their  ('yclopean  archi- 
tecture, and  the  ingenuity  with  wdiich  the  greatest  natural 
difficulties  have  been  overcome,  excite  the  admiration  of 
travel  1  crs  an d  i nqui rers.  "  We  w ere  surprised , "  says  IIu m - 
boldt,  "to  find  at  this  place  (Assuay),  and  at  heights  which 
greatly  surpass  the  top  of  the  Peak  of  Tenerific,  the  mag- 
nificent remains  of  a  road  constructed  by  the  Tncas  of 
Peru.  This  causeway,  .ined  with  freestone,  may  be  com- 
piTcd  to  the  finest  Roman  ro;ids  I  have  seen,  in  Italy. 
Fn.nce  or  Spain.  It  is  perfectly  straight,  and  keeps  the 
same  direction  for  six  or  eight  thousand  metres.  We 
observed  the  continuation  of  this  road  near  Caxamarca, 
one  l.nmdred  and  twenty  leagues  to  the  south  of  Assuay, 
and  h  is  believed,  in  the  country,  that  it  led  as  far  as  the 
city  of  Cuzco."  When  complete,  it  extend(;d  from  Cuzco 
to  Quito,  a  distance  of  five  liundred  leag'ues. 


.'VsJiPt. 


:zr=.7i 


AMERICAN    ANTIQUITIES. 


51 


"One  of  these  great  r<mds  passed  tliroiigli  tlie  plains 
near  tlie  sea,  and  the  other  over  the  mounUiins  in  the  inte- 
rior. Augustin  de  Carate  says  that  for  the  construction 
of  the  road  over  the  mountains,  they  were  compelled  to 
cnt  away  rocks,  and  to  fill  up  chasms,  often  from  ninety 
to  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  deep,  and  that  when  it 
was  first  made,  it  was  so  plain  and  level,  that  a  carriage 
might  easily  pass  over  it;  and  of  the  other,  which  pursued 
a  less  diflicult  route,  that  it  was  forty  feet  wide,  and  as 
it  was  carried  through  valleys,  hi  order  to  avoid  the 
trouble  of  rising  and  descending,  it  was  constructed  upon 
a  high  embankment  of  earth."* 

The  ruins  of  many  edifices,  all  of  massive  construction, 
and  all  bearing  the  marks  of  similarity  of  origin,  are  scat- 
tered throughout  a  great  expanse  of  country.  In  the 
ancient  city  of  Tiahuanaco,  built  before  the  days  of  the 
Incas,  the  architecture  appears  to  have  been  of  the  most 
massive  character,  reminding  us  of  the  Cyclopean  struc- 
tures at  Baalbec  and  Mycenae,  Immense  porches  and 
doorways,  each  formed  of  a  single  stone,  and  supported 
on  masses  of  similar  magnitude,  struck  the  early  travel- 
lers with  astonishment.  In  Cuzco,  the  city  of  the  Incas, 
are  many  remains  of  a  singular  character.  The  walls  are 
built  of  stones  of  great  dimensions,  and,  though  of  many 
angles,  fitted  so  accurately  that  the  interstices  can  scarcely 
be  seen.  On  a  round  mountain  near  Caxamarca,  are  the 
extensive  ruins  of  a  city,  built  in  terraces,  and  constructed 
of  such  enormous  stones,  that  a  single  slab  often  forms  the 
entire  side  of  an  apartment.  Above  these  circular  terraces, 
seven  in  number,  appear  the  remains  of  a  great  forcress 
or  palace.  Many  cities  of  a  similar  construction  have  boeu 
discovered.  In  some  instances,  pointed  or  bell-shaped  roofs, 
composed  of  stones  laid  in  cement,  have  been  remarked. 

*  Bradford'a  Orifjin  and  History  of  the  Red  Race. 


,  ... . 


'liifl 


I.  mmm 

■'-'Am 

a-  ii',  ■■  ,!■!*?■■ 


1  ■'■'v''*^3!j 


,.;  <',  O'i.;-  ^l> 


'      ',H 

1 


t.^r^'- 


,\      <:  *, 


mmtmmiimiiiimimmmi 


Tt 


52 


INDIAN  B4GES  OF  AMElilCA. 


Some  of  tlio  ruins  arc  constructed  of  unburnt  brick,  exceed- 
ingly hiirdened  by  the  sun. 

Many  sculptures,  evincing  great  skill  and  delicacy,  still 
exist.  I'hcsc  are  the  more  remarkable  when  it  is  consid- 
ered  that  the  chief  instruments  of  the  ancient  inhabitants 
■\vcre,  probably,  for  the  most  part,  composed  only  of  hai'd 
cned  co])per.  Of  this  material,  their  weapons,  often  of 
exquisite  manufacture,  were  com230sed.  Far  to  the  north- 
ward, b(^yond  tlie  dominion  of  the  Incas,  inscriptions  and 
figures  may  be  found  sculptured  on  the  rocks.  "On  the 
banks  of  the  Orinoco  and  in  various  parts  of  Guiana,  there 
are  rude  figures  traced  upon  granite  and  other  hard  stones, 
some  of  them,  like  those  in  the  United  States,  cut  at  an 
immense  height  upon  the  face  of  perpendicular  rocks, 
They  represent  the  sun  ancj  moon,  tigers,  crocodiles  and 
snakes,  and  occasionally  they  appear  to  be  hieroglyphical 
figures  and  regular  characters." 

Tlie  surprising  number  of  these  ruins  and  relics,  and 
the  great  space  over  which  they  extend,  indicate  the  exist- 
ence, for  many  ages,  of  a  jDCople  possessing  all  the  power 
whi<:!h  regular  gsjvernment,  settled  institutions,  and  national 
character  can  give.  "  In  examining,"  says  ^fr.  Bradford, 
"the  line  of  civilization,  as  indicated  at  present  by  these 
ancient  remains,  which  is  found  to  commence  on  the  plains 
of  Varinas,  and  to  extend  thence  to  the  ruins  of  the  stone 
edifices,  which  were  observed  about  the  middle  of  the  last 
century,  on  the  road  over  the  Andes,  in  the  province  of 
Cujo,  in  Chili,  or  to  the  road  described  by  the  Jesuit 
ImonsfP,  or  to  the  ancient  acjueducts  upon  the  baidcs  of 
the  river  Maypocho,  in  south  latitude  thirty-three  degrees, 
sixteen  minutes;  we  are  surprised  to  discover  a  continuous, 
unbroken  chain  of  these  relics  of  aboriginal  civilization. 
Reverting  to  the  epoch  of  their  constructi^,  we  arc  pre- 
sciiiod  with  the  astonishing  spectacle  of  a  great  race  cul- 
ti/  ting  the  earth,  and  possessing  many  of  the  arts  diffused 


•>>»- 


AMERICAN  ANTIQUITIES. 


53 


at  an  early  period  tliroiigli  an  imTiicnsc  territory,  tlireo 
thousand  miles  in  exV,nt,  Even  up  to  the  time  of  the 
discovery,  most  of  this  vast  region  was  occupied  by  pop- 
ulous tribes,  who  were  dependent  upon  agriculture  fc^r 
sul«istence,  were  clothed,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  regular 
systems  of  religion,  and  their  own  peculiar  forms  of  gov- 
ernment. From  conquest,  and  vari(nis  causes,  some  sov- 
ereignties had  increased  more  raj)idly  than  others;  but 
still,  whether  we  are  guided  by  the  testimony  of  the  Span- 
ish invaders,  or  bj  the  internal  evidence  yet  existent  in 
the  ancient  ruins,  it  is  impossible  not  to  trace,  alike  in 
their  manners,  customs,  and  physical  appefxrance,  and  in 
the  general  similitude  observable  in  the  character  of  their 
monuments,  that  the}'-  were  all  members  of  the  same  fam- 
ily of  the  human  race,  and  probably  of  identical  origin." 


i  mn 

H 

'"'■"^■Sl 

\'  ^  *'"  rIS 

it     , 
1 

ijii 

' 

\  .'i 

I 


<{ 

t 


'!^,  ^ 


THE  ABORIGINES  OF  MEXICO. 


CHAPTER  I. 


GENERAL  UnMAUKS — EXPRDITION  OF  GUIJALVA — 
HERNANDO    CORTEZ. 

«*  ♦  *  The  Race  of  Yore; 

How  are  they  blotted  from  the  things  tluit  be!" 

Scott. 

The  kingdoms  of  Ncav  Spain,  as  Central  America  and 
the  adjoining  country  Avere  first  called,  presented  afar  dif- 
ferent aspect,  Avhen  first  discovered  hy  Europeans,  from 
tliat  of  the  vast  and  inliospitable  -wilderness  at  tlie  North 
and  East.  Instead  of  an  unbroken  forest,  thinly  iidiabitcd 
bv  rovnng  savages,  hero  were  seen  large  and  AveJl-built 
cities,  apeo])]c  of  gentler  mood  and  more  refined  manners, 
and  an  advancement  in  the  useful  arts  which  removed  the 
inhabitants  as  far  from  tlicir  rude  neighbors,  iu  tlie  scale 
of  civilization,  as  they  themselves  were  excelled  by  the 
nations  of  Europe. 

AVlien  first  discovered  and  explored  by  Europeans,  !Mex- 
ico  was  a  kingdom  of  great  extent  and  power,  ^b)llte- 
zuma,  chronicled  as  the  eleventh,  in  regular  succession,  of 
the  Aztec  monarchs,  held  supreme  autliority.  ITis  domin- 
ions extended  from  near  the  isthmus  of  Darien,  to  the 
undefined  country  of  tlie  Ottomies  and  Chichimccas,  rude 
nations  living  in  a  barbarous  state  among  the  mountains 
of  the  North,  llis  name  signified  "the  surly  (or  grave) 
Prince,"  a  title  justifietl  by  the  solemn  and  ceremonioua 
hoMiage  which  he  constantly  exacted. 


_zJ 


I     ■■•  J, . 


:• 


,^.;,'l 


"W 


I 


MOjVTBZaMJt. 


'■'■•*' S) 


i'^T 


Wl 
nufur 
itiihii 
the  n 
warn  i 
sionci 
.IS  w 
Comt 
visioi 

COlllK 

wises 
Til 
icans 
witiie 
abstn 
and  i 
i^are  : 
ilizccl 
huina 
and  i 
and 
disLH'; 

in  cfl( 
cause; 
civili; 
Anal( 
that  t 
tlic  (i 
reliiiic 
itants 
tlie  O 
ivc  di 
the  A^ 
sunu'i 


f 


>^-  .,,-.. 


AUOUKUNKa  OK  MKXICO. 


55 


Whon  tlio  Spmiiurds  first  appoarod  on  the  coast,  tlio 
niiturnl  terror  excited  hy  siicli  luihoard-of  conquerors  was 
iiilinitely  liei.gliteiied  Ly  divers  ]K)rtents  and  omens,  wlii(,'h 
the  ina^K'iaiis  and  necroinaiieers  of  the  kiii^  eonstrucd  as 
warnings  of  ^reat  and  disastrous  revolutions.  This  oe(!a- 
sioned  that  stiani^e,  weak,  and  vaeillatinf^  P<'hc,y,  wliieh, 
as  we  shall  hereufti'r  see,  he  adopted  towards  Cortex. 
Comets,  conna<i;rations,  overflows,  monsters,  dreams,  and 
visions,  wei-e  constantly  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  royal 
council,  and  inferences  were  drawn  thcrefium  as  to  the 
wisest  course  to  be  pursu(xl. 

The  national  character,  religion  and  customs  of  the  Mex- 
icans presented  stranger  anomalies  than  have  ever  been 
witnessed  in  any  nation  on  the  etfrth.  They  entertained 
abstract  ideas  of  right  and  Avrong,  with  systems  of  ethics 
and  social  proprieties,  which,  for  truth  and  purity,  com- 
pare favoral>ly  with  the  most  enlightened  doctrines  of  civ- 
ilized nations,  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  custom  of 
human  sacrifice  was  carried  to  a  scarcely  credible  extent, 
and  accompanied  by  circumstances  of  cruelty,  filth iness 
and  cannihalisui,  nivore  loathsome  than  ever  elsewhere 
disgraced  the  most  barbarous  of  nations. 

A  vast  amount  of  labor  and  research  has  been  expended 
in  cfibrts  to  arrive  at  some  satisfactory  conclusion  as  to  the 
causes  which  led  to  the  ^fexican  superiority  in  the  arts  of 
civilization  over  the  other  inhabitants  of  the  New  World. 
Aiuilogies,  so  strong  as  to  leave  little  doubt  upon  the  mind 
that  they  mnst  be  more  than  coincidences,  were  found,  on 
the  first  discoveiy  of  the  country,  between  the  traditions, 
religious  exercises,  sculpture,  and  language  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  Centi'al  America,  and  those  of  various  nations  in 
the  Old  Wo  fid.  Notwithstanding  this,  the  great  distinct- 
ive dillereiiee  in  the  bodil)^  conformation  of  all  natives  of 
the  AVestern  Continent,  from  the  people  of  the  East,  proves 
sudieiently  tliat,  previt>us  to  the  Spanish  discoveries,  the 


'a 


k^tLM 


3         •>  T*'^T^!ft,'Spi 

>,.    -jv  ■<■<<■ ' -tin 


V') 


''fit  '■>}■' 


'y-^'  '%r 


.'U'^ 


'f:^ 


56 


INDIAN   llACES  OF  AMEUICA. 


tiino  elapsed  since  any  tlirect  eoiiiinuniciitioii  cniild  liavc 
existed  between  tlie  two,  must  have  I  teen  vci'v  yreat.  'I'lio 
(»1)\  itiiis  anti([uily  ol'  the  ai'fhitrctiiial  rrinains  eari'irs  us 
back  to  a  most  remote  ei'a:  some  imiiutaiu  tliat  poilions 


o 


f  tl 


lese  nnist  have  betMi  standin.ir  lor  as  many  t'ciiluncs 
as  !he  nreat  ])yramids  of  K^^ypt,  while  others  refer  them  to 
a  much  hiter  (^ri«,nn.  The  pernit'ions  hai)it  of  lirst  adoptini^ 
a  thi'ory,  and  tlu-n  seai'ching  lor  sueii  i'aets  only  as  tend  to 
support  it,  was  never  more  l()reibly  exemplified  than  in  tho 
variant  hypotheses  as  to  tlu^  ori,L(in  of  ^^exiean  eivili/ation. 

The  valley  and  country  of  Anahuae,  or  ^^(^\ieo,  was 
successively  peoj>led,  aeeordin^u,'  to  tradition  and  the;  evi- 
denee  of  ancient  liiej'o<>:ly))hics,  by  the  Toltecs,  the  (Jhi- 
ehimeeas,  and  tlu^  Nahmitlaeas,  of  whieli  last-nuMilioned 
people,  the  A/tees,  who  linally  obtained  the  ascendancy, 
foi'ined  the  jn'ineipal  tribe,  'J'hese  innnigrations  were  from 
S(^me  indetei'minate  region  at  the  north,  and  apjiear  to 
have  been  tla^  result  of  a  j^railual  proLj-ression  soutliward, 
as  traces  of  the  peculiar  architectural  structures  of  tho 
^rexic'an  nations  arc  to  be  pMind  stretching  throuuhout  the 
country  between  the  l^ocky  ^Nfountains  and  the  sea,  as  far 
north  as  the  '^il.a  and  Colorado. 

The  periods  of  these  sevm-al  ari'ivals  in  Analmae  are 
set  down  as  follows.  '^I'hat  of  the  ^Foltecs.  about  thi^  mid- 
dle of  tho  seventh  eentuiy,  and  of  the  I'ude  Chicliimecas_ 
the  year  1070.  The  Nahuatlacas  comnitmced  theii'  mii^ra- 
tions  about  1170,  and  the  Aztecs,  se])aratin<r  themselves 
from  the  rest  (jf  the  nation,  founded  the  ancient  city  of 
^[exico  in  the  year  1325. 

'^riie  tale  of  cruelties,  ojipressions,  and  wholesale  destruc- 
tion attendant  U]wn  the  Spanish  invasion  and  conquest, 
is  a  long  one,  and  can  be  here  but  briefly  c]iitomized ;  l)ut 
enough  will  be  given  to  leave,  as  far  as  practicable,  a  Just 
impression  of  the  real  condition  of  these  primitive  nations, 
and  the  more  marked  outlines  of  theiT-  history. 


^::- 


.•■-v.->.>.  -\-    ~ 


5^..",^ 


■:*•» 


i 


■mvfi^ 


I 


■Mi; 


"  y.  ti  .y.i.v/i  <)    (  o  u  IK  /, 

IKriM    A.V  oKKilNAI,   rnRTRAIT   HV  TITUN. 


Iff 


i 


i 


•■IT 


If 

t' 

1 

1 

L^ 

},.'Vl1 

'■'V 

IMi 

gl 

1 

m 

1 

4 

f 

|:  ■  ■  ■  ■  A 
1      .    'X. 


1? 


d: 


~>>«^:  ..., 


ABORIGINES  OF  MEXICO. 


57 


In  the  early  jiart  of  the  sixtecntli  century,  the  eastern 
sho}'o  of  ^[cxico  and  Central  Anieridi  had  been  explored 
by  Spanish  navigators;  andVasco  Nugnez  de  Balboa,  led 
by  the  ordinary  attraction — tales  of  a  country  rich  in  g(jld 
and  silver — had,  in  September,  1513,  crossed  the  isthmus 
to  the  great  and  unknown  ocean  of  the'^West.  The  con- 
dition and  character  of  the  natives  was  but  little  noticed 
by  these  early  explorers,  and  no  motives  of  policy  or  human- 
ity restrained  them  from  treating  those  they  met  as  caprice 
or  fanaticism  might  dictate.  Balboa  is  indeed  spoken  of 
as  inclined  to  more  humane  courses  in  his  intercourse  with 
the  natives  than  many  of  his  contemporaries,  but  even  he 
showed  himself  by  no  means  scrupulous  in  the  means  by 
which  he  forced  his  way  through  the  country,  and  levied 
contributions  ujion  the  native  chiefs. 

The  mind  of  the  Spanish  nation  was  at  last  •  aroused 
and  inflamed  by  accounts  of  the  wealth  and  power  of  the 
great  country  open  to  adventure  in  New  Spain,  and  plans 
were  laid  to  undertake  some  more  notable  possession  in 
those  regions  than  had  yet  resulted  from  the  unsuccessful 
and  petty  attempts  o.t  colonization  upon  the  coast. 

Diego  Valas([uez,  governor  of  Cuba,  as  lieutenant  to 
Diego  Colon,  son  and  successor  of  the  great  admiral,  sent 
an  expedition,  under  command  of  Juan  de  Grijalva,  to 
Yucatan  and  the  adjoining  coast,  in  April  of  the  year  1518. 
After  revenuing  former  iniuries  received  from  the  natives 
of  Yucatan,  the  party  sailed  westward,  and  entered  the 
river  of  Tobasco,  where  some  intercourse  and  petty  tra flic 
was  carried  on  with  the  Indians.  The  natives  were  filled 
with  wonder  at  the  "AFake  of  the  Ships,  and  dillbrence  of 
the  ^Ten  and  Habits,"  on  their  llrst  appearance,  and  "stood 
without  ]\rotion,  as  deju'ived  of  the  use  of  their  Ilaiuls  by 
the  Astonishment  under  which  their  Eyes  had  bi'ought 
them." 

I'lic  usual  propositions  were  made  by  the  Spanish  com- 


„.;;\.T..;.v'^'i:>?fl 


'm^in 


u 


i.S 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


niaiiilcr,  of  submission  to  tlic  great  and  miglity  Prince  of 
the  East,  whose  subject  lie  professed  to  be;  but  "tliey  heara 
his  })roposition  with  the  marks  of  a  disagreeable  attention," 
and,  not  unnaturally,  made  answer  that  the  proposal  to 
form  a  peace  Avhich  should  entail  servitude  upon  them  was 
strange  indeed,  adding  that  it  would  be  well  to  inquire 
Avhcther  their  present  king  was  a  ruler  whom  they  loved 
before  projiosing  a  new  one. 

Still  ]3ursuing  a  westerly  course  along  the  coast,  Gri- 
jalva  gained  the  first  intelligence  received  by  the  Span- 
iards of  the  Emperor  Montezuma.  At  a  small  island 
were  found  the  first  bloody  tokens  of  the  barbarous  reli- 
gious rites  of  the  natives.  In  a  "Ilonse  of  Lime  and 
Stone"  were  "several  Idols  of  a  horribhi  Figure,  and  a 
more  horrible  Avorshij)  paid  to  them;  for,  near  the  Steps 
where  thev  were  placed,  were  the  carkasses  of  six  or 
seven  men,  newly  sacrificed,  cut  to  pieces,  and  their 
Entrails  laid  open." 

Eeaching  a  low  sandy  isle,  still  farther  to  the  westward, 
on  tlie  day  of  St.  John  the  Ba])tist,  the  Spaniards  named 
the  place  San  Juan,  and  from  iheir  coupling  with  this 
title  a  word  caught  iVom  an  Indian  seen  there,  resulted 
the  name  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa,  bestowed  upon  the  site 
of  the  ]n'esent  great  fortress.  No  settlement  was  attempted, 
and  Grijalva  returned  to  Cuba,  carrying  witli  him  many 
sani[iles  of  native  ingenuity,  and  of  the  wealth  of  the 
country,  in  the  shape  of  rude  figures  of  lizards,  birds,  and 
other  ti-ifies,  wrought  in  gold  imperfectly  refined. 

The  Cul)an  governor,  Velas(piez,  dctermincMl  to  ])ursue 
discoveries  mid  coiKjuost  at  the  west,  and  a]i]M)inlc'd  Her- 
nando  Cortez,  a  Spanisli  cavalirr,  resident  U]ion  the  island, 
to  eoinnianil  llic  ne^v  expedition.  That  the  reader  may 
ju(lg<'  what  strange  eonlradietions  inav  exist  in  the  char- 
at;fi'r  of  the  same  inili\i(lual ;  how  geiierositv  and  cupid- 
ity; mildness  and  i'ei'ocity;  cruelty  and  kindness,  may  be 


>^T,-.^' 


■b        «'. 


ABORIGINES  OF  MEXICO. 


59 


combined,  let  him  compare  tiie  after  conduct  of  this  cele- 
brated hero  with  his  character  as  slvctched  by  the  historian. 

"Cortez  was  well  made,  an<l  of  an  agreeable  counte- 
nance; and,  besides  those  common  natural  Endowments, 
he  was  of  a  temper  which  rendered  him  very  amiable; 
for  he  always  spoke  well  of  the  absent,  and  was  pleasant 
and  discreet  in  his  Conversation.  His  Generosity  was 
such  that  liis  Friends  partook  of  all  he  had,  without  being 
sufl'er'd  by  him  to  publish  their  Obligations." 

In  the  words  of  the  poet,  he 

"*  *  *  Was  one  in  whom 

Advcntiiro,  and  cndiiranco,  and  cniprisu 
ExalU'd  the  niind's  laculties,  and  strunjj 
The  body's  sinews.     Bravo  lie  was  in  tight, 
Courteous  in  lian(|uet.  scornful  of  repose, 
And  honntit'ul,  and  cruel,  and  devout." 

Hidalgos  of  family  and  wealth  crowded  eagerly  to  join 
the  fortunes  of  the  bold  and  popular  leader.  "Nothing 
was  to  be  seen  or  spoken  of,"  says  Bernal  Piaz,  "but  sell- 
ing lands  to  purchase  arms  and  horses,  rpiiUing  coats  of 
mail,  making  bread,  and  salting  pork  for  sea  store." 

From  St.  Jago  the  fleet  sailed  to  Ti-iuidad  on  the  south- 
ern coast,  where  the  {"owe  was  increased  by  a  considerable 
number  of  men,  and  thonce  rouTul  Ca})c  Antonio  to 
Havana.  From  the  latter  }i«)rt  the  flotilla  got  under 
weigh  on  the  10th  of  l^'ebniary,  IT)  19.  It  consisted  of  a 
brigaiitine  and  ten  other  small  ves.sels,  whose  motley  ci'ews 
are  thus  enumerated:  "live  hundred  and  eight  Soldiers, 
si.Kteen  ITorse;  and  of  Meclianii'S,  Pilot;-",  and  Mai'i'incrs, 
an  liuudi'ed  and  nin(>  nioiv^,  be.-^ides  two  Cliaplains,  tlio 
Li('(Miti;ite  .luaii  Hia/,  ;ind  I'';itli('r  Hartlioloincnv  De  Olinedo, 
a  IJi'giilnr  of  tlie  Oi'der  o\'  oiu-  Lady  de  la  Merced."  'The 
mis.sile  weapons  of  the  partv  were  muskiMs,  cross-bows, 
falconets,  and  ten  .■^inall  field  pieces  of  brass.     The  ctjlor, 


%3 


li 


.  <       I 


ii"t'^ 


f  > 


V 


• " , '«}" 

1       1 1,**    "V 

:  -y^a 

" '  •  '"'ifi'^'l^*' 

'':'|1I|^M| 

1 


li 


GO 


INDIAN   RACES   OF   AMERICA. 


qu;ilitj,  and  condition  of  cacli  of  tlio  Jiorscs  is  described 
with  groat  particularity. 

Tlic  lir.-^t  land  made  was  the  island  of  Cozuniel,  off  the 
coast  of  Yucatan.  One  of  the  vessels  reached  the  island 
two  days  before  the  rest;  and  finding  the  habitations  of  the 
natives  abandoned,  the  Spaniards  ranged  the  country,  and 
plundered  their  huts  and  temple,  carrying  olf  divers  small 
gold  images,  ti^gethcr  with  clothes  and  provisions. 

Cortez,  on  his  arrival,  strongly  rc})rehended  these  pro- 
ceedings, and,  liberating  three  Indians  who  hud  been 
taken  2)risoners,  sent  them  to  seek  out  their  friends,  and 
explain  to  them  his  friendly  intentions.  Their  eoniidence 
was  perfectly  restored  by  this  act,  and  by  the  restoration 
of  the  stolen  j^^'op^^^J-  ^'^  ^^''^^  ^^^°  next  day,  the  chief 
came  with  ]iis  2ieo2)le  to  the  cani]^,  and  mingled  with  the 
Spaniards  on  the  most  fi'iendly  tei'ms. 

No  farther  violence  v.'as  oll'ei'ed  to  them  or  their  j)rop- 
erty  during  the  stay  of  the  Spaniards,  except  that  these 
zealous  reformers  seized  the  idols  in  the  tem])le,  and  roll- 
ing them  down  the  steps,  built  an  altar,  and  placed  an 
image  of  the  \'irgin  upon  it.  erecting  a  wooden  crucifix 
hard  by.  The  holy  father,  Juan  iJiaz,  then  said  Mass,  to 
the  great  edification  of  the  wondering  natives. 

This  temple  was  a  well-built  edifice  of  stone,  and  con- 
tained a  hideous  idol  in  somewhat  of  the  human  foi-m. 
"All  the  Idols,"  sa\'s  de  Solis,  "worshipped  by  tliese  mis- 
erable People,  were  formed  in  the  same  Manner;  for  tho' 
they  dill'ered  in  the  Make  and  Representation,  the}'  were 
all  alike  most  abominably  ugly;  whether  it  was  that  these 
Barbarians  had  no  Notion  of  any  other  Model,  or  that  the 
Devil  really  appeared  to  them  in  some  such  Shape;  so 
that  he  who  struck  out  the  most  hideous  figure,  Avas 
accounted  the  best  work  man." 

Seeing  that  no  prodigy  succeeded  the  destruction  of 
their  gods,  the  savages  were  the  more  ready  to  pay  attcr  tiou 


^% 


■■^-tT  ,..,„ 


v'^ORIGIXES  OF  MEXICO. 


61 


to  the  teacliings  wii'-u  were  so  earnestly  impressed  upon 
tliom  by  the  strangers,  and  appeared  to  hold  tlie  symbols 
of  tlieir  worship  in  some  veneration,  offering  incense 
before  tliem,  as  erstwhile  to  the  idols. 

Cortez  hoard  one  of  the  Indir.ns  make  many  attempts 
to  pronounce  the  word  Castilla.  and,  his  attention  being 
attracted  by  the  circumstance,  he  puiFued  his  inquiries 
until  he  ascertained  that  two  Spaniards  were  living  among 
the'  Indians  on  the  main. 

He  immediately  used  great  diligence  to  ransom  and 
restore  them  to  liberty,  and  succeedccl  in  the  case  of  one  of 
them,  named  Jeronimo  de  Aguilar,  who  occupies  an  import- 
ant place  in  the  subscque^ii  details  of  adventure.  The 
other,  one  Alonzo  Guerrero,  having  married  a  wife  among 
the  Indians,  preferred  to  remain  in  his  present  condition. 
lie  said  to  his  companion:  "Brother  Aguilar,  I  am  mar- 
ried, and  have  three  sons,  and  am  a  Cacique  and  captain  in 
the  wars ;  go  you  in  God's  name ;  my  fiice  is  marked,  and 
my  ears  bored;  what  would  those  Spaniards  think  of  me 
if  I  went  among  them?" 

De  Solis  says  of  this  man  that  his  natural  affection  was 
but  a  pretence  "why  he  would  not  abandon  those  deplor- 
able Conveniences,  which,  with  him  weighed  more  than 
Honour  or  Religion.  We  do  not  lind  that  any  other 
Spaniard,  in  the  whole  Course  of  these  Conquests,  com- 
mitted the  like  Crime ;  nor  was  the  name  of  this  Wretch 
worthy  to  be  remembered  in  this  History:  But,  being 
fouiul  in  the  writings  of  others,  it  could  not  be  concealed; 
and  his  Example  serves  to  show  us  the  AVeakness  of 
Nature,  and  into  what  an  7\.l)yss  of  ^lisery  a  man  may 
fall,  when  God  has  abandon.'d  him." 

Poor  Aguilar  had  been  eight  years  a  captive:  tatooed, 
nearly  naked,  and  browned  by  sun,  ho  was  scarce  distin- 
guishable from  his  Indian  companions,  and  the  only  Cas- 
tilian  wards  which  he  was  at  first  able  to  recall  were  "  Dios, 


,1 


J^ 


I 


G2 


INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AT.tElilCA. 


Santa  Maria,"  and  "Scvilla."  Still  mindful  of  his  old 
associations  and  religion,  ho  boro  at  his  shoulder  the  tat- 
tered Iragnicnts  of  a  prayer-book. 

lie  belonged  to  a  ship's  crew  who  had  been  wrecked 
on  the  coast,  and  was  the  only  survivor  of  the  number, 
except  (irterrero.  The  rest  had  died  from  disease  and 
ovcrwoi'k,  or  had  been  saerilieed  to  the  idols  of  the  coun- 
try. 7\guilar  had  been  "reserved  for  a  future  occasion 
by  reason  of  his  Leanness,"  and  succeeded  in  escaping 
to  another  tribe  and  another  master.     ■ 

Cortcz  sailed  with  his  fleet,  from  Cozumel,  for  the  I'iver 
Tabasco,  wliieli  was  reached  on  the  loth  of  March,  1519. 
Urging  their  way  against  the  current,  in  the  boats  and 
smaller  craft — for  the  principal  vessels  Averc  left  at  anchor 
u(^ai'  the  mouth — the  wliole  armament  entered  the  stream. 
As  they  advanced,  the  Spaniards  perceived  great  bodies 
of  Indians,  in  canoes,  and  on  l)oth  banks,  whose  outcries 
were  interpreted  by  Aguilar  to  be  expressions  of  hostility 
and  defiance.  Night  came  on  before  any  attack  Avas  made 
on  citlier  side.  Next  morning,  the  armament  recom- 
menced its  progress,  in  the  foi'm  of  a  crescent:  the  men, 
protected  as  Avell  as  possible  by  their  shields  and  ([uilted 
mail,  were  ordered  to  keep  silence,  and  offer  no  violence 
until  ordered.  Aguilar,  wlio  understood  the  language  of 
these  Indians,  was  commissioned  to  explain  the  friendly 
purposes  of  his  companions,  and  to  warn  the  natives  of 
the  consequences  that  would  result  from  their  opposition. 
The  Indians,  with  signs  of  great  fury  and  violence,  refused 
to  listen  to  him,  or  to  grant  permission  to  the  Sjvininrds 
to  supply  themselves  with  wood  and  water. 

The  engngemcnt  commenciKl  by  a  shower  of  arrcnvs 
from  the  canoes  on  the  river,  and  an  immense  multitude 
opposed  the  landing  of  the  troops.  Numbers  and  brav(;ry 
could  not,  hovvcver  avail  against  the  European  skill  and 
implements  of  warfaro.     l^Losc  in  the  canoes  v.-ere  easily 


„ I 


ff- 


drivei 

and  jii 

cealed 

made 

diana 

1^abas( 

stron;'' 

O 

being 
Cort 
throug 
Juen  w] 
plete  p 
Tl,^; 
iards  h 
hind  a  ; 
whistlii 
tain.'" 
woods. 


GI 


UlTIl 

powers 
and  s])ij 
chorejo, 
sorted  ft 
Tabasco, 
lie  expl 

w]lOS(!  11; 

abused  t 
of  the  111 


ABOIIIOINKS  OF  MEXICO. 


68 


driven  ofT,  utuI,  not\vitlisl,;iiulii)g  tlio  (linicultles  of  a  wet 
iiud  iiKirshy  shore,  Avliere  tliousuuds  of  the  eiiomy  hiy  con- 
cealed to  spring  n})on  them  unawares,  the  Spanish  forces 
made  ihoir  \v;iy  to  the  town  of  'I'abasco,  (h'iving  the  In- 
dians into  the  fortress,  or  disjtersiiiii;  tluMu  in  the  forest. 
Tabasco  was  i)rotectcd  in  llie  oi'chnary  Indian  styh',  by 
strong  palisades  of  trees,  a  narrow  and  crooked  entrance 
being  left. 

Cortez  immediately  attacked  the  town,  and,  by  firing 
tlirougli  the  })alisades,  his  troops  soon  drove  in  the  bow- 
men who  were  defending  them,  and  after  a  time,  got  com- 
plete ])ossession. 

Tli^  town  Avas  ol)stinately  defended,  oven  after  the  Span- 
iards had  eiVeeted  an  entrance.  The  cneniy  retreated  be- 
hind a  second  barricade,  "irouting"  the  troops,  "valiantly 
whistling  and  shouting  'al  calachioni,'  or  'kill  the  cap- 
tain.'" They  were  finally  overpowered,  and  fled  to  the 
woods. 


CHAPTER    II. 

GREAT    UATTLF.S  WITH  THE    NATIVES CONCILIATORY 

INTE.'COUESi: DONNA  MARINA. 

niTiiEiiTO  a  blind  superstition,  by  which  supernatural 
powers  were  ascribed  to  the  whites,  had  quelled  the  vigoi 
and  s})irit  of  the  Indians,  but  an  interpreter  iiamed  Mel- 
chorejo,  whom  Cortcis  had  brought  over  from  Cuba,  de- 
sei'ted  from  the  Spaniards  during  the  first  night  spent  in 
Tabasco,  and  urged  the  natives  to  another  engagement. 
lie  explained  the  real  nature  of  the  mysteiious  weapons 
whose;  flash  and  thunder  had  created  such  tt'rror,  and  dis- 
abused the  simple  savages  of  the  idca^  entertained  b}'  thoi;i 
of  the  invulnerable  nature  of  their  foes.     They  prov-  d  ia 


I  ■ 


^ 


r':9m: 


''I'M 


ii!    *    '     .  >\.    J.  ill 

•:■■■;  ft 


11} 


ti 


I 


'»5  <li 


:-!.■ 


■I    % 


'  ii 
I  I    -    t 


V  'Mi 


{ 


Cii 


INDIAN  RACES  OP  AMERICA. 


the  subsequent  h;ittles  mueh  uiore  Jang(Tous  ojiponentg 
tliaii  before.  The  narrator  mentions,  -with  no  little  satis- 
faction, tlie  liite  of  this  deserter.  His  new  allies,  it  seems, 
"being  vanquished  a  second  time,  revenged  themselves  on 
the  adviser  of  the  war,  by  making  him  a  miserable  sacri- 
liee  to  their  idols." 

All  was  as  still,  upon  the  succeeding  day,  as  if  the  coun- 
try was  abandoned  by  its  inhabitants,  but  a  l)arty  of  one 
hundred  m<  a,  en  a  scout,  was  suddenly  surrounded  and 
attu'  k  xl  .  •  such  hordes  of  tlie  enemy,  that  they  might 
have  K  ■>  *■  ofl'from  sheer  fatigue,  but  Jbr  another  com- 
pany \  .ii  c-i'^^e  to  their  assistance.  As  the  Spaniards 
endeavored  to  rc/..  ^at  to  the  cam]),  the  Indians  would  rusli 
iipon  them  in  full  force,  "ivdio,  immediately  upon  their 
facing  about,  got  out  of  their  reach,  retiring  with  the  same 
swiftness  that  they  were  attacked;  the  motions  of  this 
groat  multitude  of  barbarians  from  one  side  to  another, 
resemljling  the  rolling  of  the  sea,  whose  waves  are  driven 
back  by  the  wind." 

Two  of  the  Sj)aniards  were  killed  and  eleven  wounded 
in  the  fray:  ci  the  Indians,  eighteen  were  seen  lying  dead 
on  the  field,  and  several  prisoners  were  taken.  From  these 
Cortez  learned  that  tribes  from  all  sides  were  gathered  to 
assist  those  of  Tabasco  in  a  general  engagement  planned 
for  the  next  day,  and  he  accordingly  made  the  most  dili- 
gent preparation  to  receive  them.  The  horses  were  brought 
on  shore,  and  care  was  taken  to  restore  their  animation, 
subdued  by  confinement  on  board  ship. 

As  soon  as  day  broke.  Mass  was  said,  and  the  little  army 
was  put  in  motion  to  advance  upon  the  enemy.  They 
were  discovered  marshalled  on  the  vast  plain  of  Cintia, 
in  such  numbers  that  it  was  impossible  to  compute  them. 
They  extended  so  far,  says  Solis,  "that  the  sight  could  not 
reach  to  sec  the  end  of  them."  The  Indian  warriors  were 
painted  and  plumed,  their  arms  were  bows  and  arrows, 


1 1 


ABOUIGINE.S  OF  MEXICO. 


65 


slin^r.^,  (Inrts,  cluhs  armoil  witli  sharp  flinti^,  and  heavy 
Avoodot)  swords.  I'hc  bodies  of  the  leaders  were  protected 
by  cpiiUed  coats  of  cotton,  and  they  bore  shiekls  of  tor- 
toise-sl\ell  or  wood,  mounted,  in  some  instances,  witli  gohl. 

To  the  sound  of  rudi;  (h-unis,  and  the  bhist  of  sea-shells 
and  larw  flutes,  the  vast  crowd  fell  furiously  upon  the 
Spaniards,  and  althoufrh  cheeked  by  their  more  eflieient 
weapons,  only  retired  to  a  convenient  distance  for  hurling 
stones  and  discharging  arrows.  The  field-pieces  mowed 
them  down  l>y  hundreds,  but  concealing  the  liavoo  by  rais- 
ing clouds  of  dust,  and  closing  up  their  ranks  with  shouts 
of  "ala — lala"  (the  precise  sound  of  the  Turkish  war-cry, 
viz:  a  constant  repetition  of  the  word  Allar  they  held 
their  ground  with  the  most  determined  coara-'c. 

The  little  handful  of  cavalry,  which,  led  ')y  C  tcz  in 
person,  had  made  a  detour  to  avoid  a  mars'  nc  -'-r  fed  upon 
the  Indians  from  a  new  quarter,  and,  riding  '  .rough  and 
through  the  crowded  mass  of  savages,  s(  bewildered  and 
amazed  them,  that  they  fled  in  dismay.  ,v  such  animal 
as  the  horse  had  ever  before  been  seen  by  them:  they 
took  the  monsters,  says  Diaz,  for  centaurs,  supposing  the 
horse  and  his  rider  to  be  one. 

On  the  field  of  battle,  as  the  conquerors  passed  over  it, 
lay  more  than  eight  hundred  dead  or  desperately  wounded. 
But  two  of  the  Spaniards  were  killed,  although  seventy 
of  tlieir  number  were  wounded  at  the  first  rush  of  the 
barbarians. 

The  victors  having  rendered  thanks  "to  God  and  to  our 
Lady,  his  blessed  Mother,"  for  their  success,  dressed  their 
wounds,  and  those  of  the  invaluable  horses,  with  the  fat 
of  dead  Indians,  and  retired  to  refresh  themselves  by  food 
and  sleep. 

Lopez  do  Gomara  affirms  that  one  of  the  holy  apostles, 
under  the  form  of  Francisco  de  Morla,  appeared  upon  the 
field  during  this  bloody  engagement,  and  turned  tlie  scale 
5 


-V-  tiW'  j.'Pi 


■f  i^ 


;^-.-^;;f:(,l, 


■  . '  ■  ,      ■■■>    '       '' 


■''   -vil 


■'.••'"fet 


-^.*n 


li 


I 


68 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMKUICA. 


of  vi(^tory.  Diaz  saya;  "It  iiii<:,lit  bo  llio  cas(\  and  T,  sin- 
ner ius  I  am,  was  not  ])erinittv(l  to  sec  it.  What  I  did  sec 
was  Francisco  do  Afoi'la,  in  company  witli  (j)rtez  and  tlio 
rest,  upon  a  chosnut  liorso — But  altliou,^Ii  I,  unwoi'tliy  -iii- 
nci-  that  [  am,  was  unlit  to  l)cliohl  cither  of  tlioso  lioly 
apostles,  upwards  of  lour  hun<lrod  of  us  woro  present;  let 
their  testimony  bo  taken."  lie  adds,  that  ho  never  heard 
of  tlic  incident  imtil  ho  read  of  it  in  Gotnai'a's  liistory. 

Several  prisoners  were  1al\'en  in  this  battle,  among  them 
two  Avho  a})[)carcd  to  bo  of  su})crior  rank,  ^riieso  were 
dismissed  with  presents  and  favors,  to  carry  })roposals  of 
})eacc  to  their  friends.  The  result  was  highly  .satisfactoi'y : 
fifteen  slaves,  with  blackened  faces  and  ragged  attire  "in 
token  of  contrition,"  came  bringing  olferings.  rermission 
was  given  to  bury  and  burn  the  bodies  of  tliose  who  fell 
in  the  terrible  slaughter,  that  they  might  not  bo  dovour(;d 
by  wild  beasts  ("Lyons  antl  Tygers"  according  to  Diaz). 
This  duty  accomplished,  ten  of  the  cacicpics  and  ])rinci}^al 
men  made  their  ap})carance,  clad  in  robes  of  static,  and 
expressed  desire  for  j)eace,  excusing  th(>ir  liostiHty,  as  the 
n'SuH  of  bad  advice  from  their  neighbors  and  the  ])ersua- 
sion  of  the  renegade  whom  they  had  sacriliced.  Cortc'z 
took  pains  to  impress  them  with  ideas  of  his  jiowcr  and 
the  greatness  of  the  monarch  ho  served  ;  ho  ordered  the 
artillery  to  bo  discharged,  and  one  of  the  most  sj)irited  of 
the  horses  to  be  brought  into  the  reception-room :  "  it  being 
so  contrived  that  he  should  show  himself  to  the  greatest 
advantage,  his  apparent  fierceness,  and  his  action,  struck 
the  natives  with  awe."  " 

Many  more  chiefs  caine  in  on  the  following  day,  bring- 
ing the  usual  presents  of  little  gold  figures,  the  material 
of  which  came,  they  said,  from  "Culchua,"  and  from  "Mex- 
ico," words  not  yet  familiar  to  the  cars  of  the  Spaniards. 

^fwenty  women  were,  moreover,  ofiercd  ;is  presents,  and 
gladly  received  by  Cortez,  who  bestowed  one  u})on  each 


t^r*, 


ABOniOINES  OF  MKXICO. 


67 


of  Ills  olTiccrs.  They  were  all  duly  baptizo<l,  ainl  1i:hI 
tlio  pltvisiircof  list('iiiii;^M(>a  discourse  upDU  tlic  inystciics 
of  his  failh,  dclivenHl  for  their  especial  benefit  by  j-athcr 
I'artholoiiiew,  the  spiritual  guide  of  the  invaders.  Know- 
ing notliing  of  the  language,  and  having  no  competent 
intcrj)rctcr,  it  i)robably  made  no  very  vivid  impression, 
but  these  captives  were  set  down  as  the  first  Christian 
women  of  the  country. 

Anu^ng  them  was  one  young  woman  of  remarl-cable 
beauty  and  intelligence,  wliom  the  S])aniards  ehristt-ned 
Afarina.  She  was  said  to  be  of  royal  parentage,  but,  from 
parental  cruelty,  or  the  fortunes  of  war,  had  been  held  in 
slavery  at  a  settlement  on  the  borders  of  Yucatan,  where 
a  .^^exicail  fort  wa^  established,  and  afterwards  fell  into 
the  hands  of  tlie  Tabascan  cacicpio.  She  spoke  both  the 
Alexican  language,  and  that  common  to  Yucatan  and 
Tabasco,  so  that  Cortez  wis  able,  by  means  of  her  and 
Aguilar,  to  communicate  with  tlic  inhabitants  of  the 
interior,  through  a  double  interpretation,  until  ^farina  had 
mastered  the  Spanish  tongue.  She  accompanied  Cortex 
throughout  his  eventfid  career  in  Atexieo,  and  had  a  son 
by  him,  who  was  made,  says  Solis,  "a  Knight  of  St.  Jago, 
in  consideration  of  the  Noljility  of  his  ]\rothcr's  birth." 
Before  this  connection  she  had  been  bestowed  by  the  com- 
mander upon  one  Alonzo  Puerto  Carrero,  until  his  depart- 
ure for  Castile. 


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! 


68  INDIAN   RACKS  OF  AMKUICA. 


CIIAriKK    III. 

COMMUNICATIONS    WITH    TIIK    Mr.XUAN    r.-AIl'liKOIl — THE 
ZEMPOALLANS    AND   ^UIAVISTLANS. 

"Tlioii  too  (lost  |iiirfjo  fVdtn  r.-irtli  ih  horribly 
Ami  old  idolatrii's; — tVoiii  their  proud  liiiieo 
Each  to  his  irr:i\{'  their  prii'sts  go  out,  till  nuiio 
la  loft  to  toai'ii  tlii'ir  worship!'' 

Uuyant's  Ifi/wn  In  Pi'itlh. 

Bki-'ORE  his  (lr})aitiiro  from  'I'ubasco,  Corte/  ami  liia 
])ric'.st  made  stroiuioiLS  t'H'ortM  to  explain  tlie,  iiiiiici])lcs  of 
liis  religion  to  the  chiefs  ami  ihrir  {(oople.  This,  indeed, 
seems  reallj  to  have  l)een  a  j)urpose  uppermost  in  liis 
lieart  throughout  the  wliole  of  his  Lloody  eain})aioii;  but, 
as  may  well  be  supposed,  tiie  subject  was  too  abstract,  too 
novel,  and  too  little  capable  of  proofs  whicli  aj)})eal  to  tho 
senses  and  inclinations,  to  meet  with  unujli  favor.  "Tliey 
only  complied,"  says  Solis,  "as  men  that  Averc  subdued, 
l)eing  more  inclined  to  receive  another  God  than  to  part 
with  any  of  their  own.  Tliey  hearkened  ■witii  pk-asure, 
and  seemed  desirous  to  comprehend  what  they  heard:  but 
reason  was  no  sooner  admitted  by  the  will  than  it  was 
rejected  by  the  understanding."  They  acknowledged 
that  "this  must,  indeed,  be  a  great  God,  to  whom  such 
valiant  men  show  so  much  respect." 

From  the  river  Tabasco  the  fleet  sailed  direct  for  San 
Juan  de  Ulua,  where  tliey  were  no  sooner  moorr d  than 
two  large  piraguas  with  a  number  of  Indians  on  board, 
came  boldly  alongside.  By  the  interpretation  of  Marina, 
Cortez  learned  tliat  these  came  in  behalf  of  Pitalpitoquc 
and  Tendile,  Governor  and  Captain  of  the  district,  under 
Montezuma,  to  inquire  as  to  his  purposes,  and  to  make 
oilers  of  friendship  and  assistance.     The  messengers  were 


't'-Tir. 


rr. 


i 


AnoUir.TNKS  OP'  MEXICO. 


69 


lian(lsoni(>ly  onti'rtaiiicd,  mixI  (listniss('(l  witli  ;i  rcw  pros* 
cnts,  Iridium'  in  tlKMii.sclvoH,  Init  ol"  iiiestitiuiblo  valuo  in 
tlu'ir  unskilful  ey(>s. 

As  tlie  troops  landod,  Tem^.ilo  sont  ^oat  nuni1)ors  of  his 
men  to  assist  in  cri'ctini^  liuts  for  tlx'ir  M<:c'omino(lalioti ;  a 
service  wliich  was  rcndciHMl  with  rcniarkal)]*;  d  xti'i'ity 
and  ra])i(1'ty. 

On  tlio  morning  of  Kastor-day,  the  two  <ji;rcat  od'u'cra 
cumc  to  tho  camp  witli  a  lordly  company  of  attendants. 
Not  to  })e  outdone  in  jinradc,  Cortcz  marsliallcd  liis  s(d- 
diers,  and  liaving  conducted  tin;  chiefs  to  the  rmlc  chapel, 
M[\<A  was  said  with  duo  cenMiiony.  1  fc  then  feasted  them, 
and  opened  ne;.!<>1iatih)ns  hy  telling'  of  his  great  soverci,i;'n, 
Don  Carlos,  of  Austria,  (('harles  tin;  l''ift!i,)  and  (express- 
ing a  desire  to  hold  eonminnion  in  his  behalf  with  tlio 
mighty  I'itnperor  ^ronte/.uma. 

'J'his  j)roposition  met  with  little  favor.  Tendile  urged 
him  to  accept  tho  ju'esents  of  plumed  cotton  mantles,  gold, 
&c.,  which  they  had  brought  to  oiler  him,  and  depart  in 
peace.  Diaz  says  that  the  Indian  commander  expressed 
haughty  astonisluncnt  at  the  S[)aniar(rs  presumption. 
Corti':^  told  them  that  he  was  fully  resolved  not  to  leavo 
the  country  without  obtaining  an  audience  from  tlu^  em- 
peror; but,  to  cpiiet  the  ap})rehension  and  disturbance  of 
the  Indians,  he  agreed  to  wait  until  a  message  could  bo 
sent  to  tho  court  and  an  answer  returned,  befoi-e  com- 
mencing further  o])erations. 

Taintt-rs,  whose  skill  Diaz  cidarges  upon,  now  set  to 
work  to  depi(!t  upon  rolls  of  cloth,  the  portraits  of  Cortez 
and  his  oflieers,  the  as})cct  of  the  army,  the  arms,  and 
oth"r  furniture,  the  smoke  ]>oured  forth  from  the  cannon, 
aui.  above  all,  the  horses,  whose  "obedient  fierceness" 
struck  them  with  astonishment.  These  representations 
were  lor  the  benefit  of  Montezuma,  that  he  might  le.nii 
more  ch^arly  than  he  could  by  verbal  report,  the  iiature 


Lr_z: 


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70 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


of  his  novel  visitants.  By  tlic  messengers,  Cortcz  sent, 
as  a  royal  jircscnt,  a  crimson  velvet  cap,  with  a  gold 
medal  upon  it,  some  ornaments  of  cut  glass,  and  a  chair 
of  tiij-jcstry. 

ritalj)itoqne  now  settled  himself,  with  a  great  company 
of  liis  people,  in  a  temporary  collection  of  Imts,  built  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Spanish  camp,  while  Ten- 
dile  attended  to  the  delivery  of  the  message  to  his  mon- 
arch, Dia%  says  that  lie  wont  to  the  royal  court,  at  the 
city  of  Mexico,  in  person,  being  renowned  for  his  swift- 
ness of  foot;  but  the  more  probable  account  is  that  lie 
availed  himself  of  a  regular  system  of  couriers,  estal)lished 
over  the  more  important  routes  throughout  the  empire. 
ITowevcr  this  may  be,  an  answer  was  returned  in  seve?T 
days'  time,  the  distance  between  IMexico  and  San  Juan 
being  sixty  leagues,  by  the  shortest  road. 

With  the  messenger  returned  a  great  officer  of  the 
court,  named  Quintalbor,  who  bore  a  most  striking  resom- 
blanrc  to  Cortez,  and  one  hundred  other  Indians,  loaded 
with  gifts  for  the  Spaniards.  Escorted  by  Tendile,  the 
emliassy  arrived  at  the  camp,  and,  after  performing  the 
usual  ceremony  of  solemn  salutations,  by  burning  incense, 
&;c.,  the  Mexican  lords  caused  mats  to  be  spread,  and  dis- 
played the  gorgeous  presents  they  had  brought. 

These  consisted  of  beautifully  woven  cotton  cloths; 
ornamental  Avork  in  feathers,  so  skilfully  executed  that 
the  figures  represented  had  all  the  effect  of  a  painting; 
a  4U.uitiJ;y  of  gold  in  its  rough  state;  images  wrought  or 
cnst  in  gold  of  various  animals;  and,  above  all,  two  huge 
plates,  one  of  gold,  the  other  of  silver,  fancifully  chased 
and  embossed  to  represent  the  sun  and  moon.  Diaz  says 
that  the  golden  sun  was  of  the  size  of  a  carriage  wheel, 
and  tliat  the  silver  })late  was  still  largx^r. 

J'rofrering  these  rich  tokens  of  good  will,  together  with 
numerous  minor  articles,  the  chiefs  delivered  their  mou 


1 


ABORIGINES  OF  MEXICO. 


71 


arch's  mission.  Accom})anie(l  by  every  expression  of 
good  will,  liis  i-cfusal  was  declared  to  allow  the  strangers 
to  visit  his  court,  liad  roads  and  hostile  tribes  were 
alleged  to  constitute  insuperable  difficulties,  but  it  was 
hinted  that  more  important,  though  unexplainablc  reasons 
existed  why  the  interview  could  not  take  place. 

Cortez,  courtcouHJy,  but  liruil}^,  persisted  in  his  deter- 
mination, and  disniissed  the  and)assadors  with  renewed 
gifts;  expressing  himself  content  to  await  yet  another 
message  from  I\[ontezuma.  lie  said  that  he  could  not, 
without  dishonoring  the  king  his  master,  return  before 
liaving  personal  connnunication  with  the  emperor. 

He,  meantime,  sent  a  detachment  further  up  the  coast, 
with  two  vessels,  to  seek  for  a  more  convenient  and 
healthy  place  of  encampment  than  the  burning  plain  of 
sand  where  the  army  was  now  quartered. 

Montezuma  persisted  in  ol)jections  to  the  advance  of 
the  Spaniards,  and  Cortez  being  equally  immovable  in 
his  determination  to  })rocced,  the  friendly  intercourse  hith- 
erto maintained  between  the  natives  and  their  guests  nuw 
ceased.  Tendile  took  his  leave  with  some  ominous  threats, 
and  Pitalpitoque  with  his  people  departed  from  their  tem- 
porary domiciles. 

The  soldiers,  cut  ofl*  from  their  former  supplies  of  pro- 
vision, and  seeing  nothing  but  danger  and  privation  in 
store  for  them,  began  to  rebel,  and  to  talk  of  returning 
home.  Cortez  cheeked  this  movement  by  precisely  the 
same  policy  that  was  resorted  to  by  Agamemnon  and  Ulys- 
ses, under  somewhat  similar  circumstances,  as  will  be  found 
at  large  in  the  second  book  of  the  Iliad^  line  110  ct  seq. 

He  seemed  to  a^ssent  to  the  arguments  of  the  spokesman 
of  the  malcontents,  and  proceeded  to  proclaijn  }iis  purpose 
of  making  sail  for  Cuba,  but,  in  the  meantime,  engaged 
the  most  trustv  of  his  fj'iends  to  excite  a  contrarv  feeliu'^ 
among  the  te"oops.     The  effort  was  signally  successful:  the 


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72 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


coiimiaiulor  graciously  coiisciit(3(l  to  rciiKiin,  and  lead  tlicm 
to  rurlher  coiuiucsts,  cxj)rossiiig  liis  great  satisfaction  in 
liuding  tlicni  oi'  such  l)oI(l  and  dctcnniiicd  spirit. 

^Vbout  this  time,  13ernal  Diaz  and  another  sentiiu'l  being 
stationed  on  the  beaeli,  at  some  (hstanee  from  ihe  i'ani|», 
pei'ceived  live  Indians  of  a  dill'iMX'nt  appearance  iVom  any 
liilherto  seen,  aj)j)roaeliing  tliem  u])on  the  level  sands. 
l)ia/  conducted  them  to  the  general,  wlio  learned,  l>y 
Marina's  interpretatiori,  that  they  came  in  behalf  of  the 
eaeicpie  of  Zempoala,  or  Cempoal,  to  jjroll'er  the  sei'viees 
of  their  kitig  and  liis  ])eople.  I'his  ti'ibe  held  the  Mexi- 
cans in  great  fear  aiid.  tU'testation,  and  rejoiced  in  the 
o|»portunit>^  i:o\v  ])resented  (or  attempting  some  retaliation 
loi'  former  {)j)pressions  and  injuries. 

The  exploring  expinlition  had  discovered  a  desirable 
location,  at  the  town  of  Quiavistlan,  a  few  leagues  north 
of  the  encam])ment,  .:jid  Coi'te/  oneludcd  to  move  thither 
innnedialely.  llelore  taking  fnilher  stejts,  he  established 
himself  more  hrmly  in  command, by  resigning  his  commis- 
sion under  \'alas(]uez,  and  taking  the  vote  of  his  followers 
as  to  wlicXiuM'  he  should  be  theii"  captain.  This  being  setlk^l 
to  his  satisfaction,  he  marched  for  Quiavistlan,  ])assing  the 
river  at  the  s])ot  wiiere  Vera  Ca'iv/j  was  afterwards  built. 

ZempoaJla  lay  in  his  I'oute,  and  tluM'e  the  ai'uiy  was 
met  by  a  d(^j)utation  li'om  the  cacii|U(>,  lit?  being  too  eor- 
])ulent  to  come  in  ])ersou.  Swei't-snu'lling  llowci's  wtM'c 
oll'ered  as  tokcMis  ol'  iriendshij)  to  \\\o.  S|>anisli  otlicei's. 
'J'he  town  was  well  built,  and  ornamented  with  sliade- 
1ree;\  Tin;  iiduibitaiits  tH)llccted  in  iunumeralde  but  or- 
derly crowds  to  witness  the  entrancie  of  the  cavalcade. 
Tl"!  "fat  cacique"  entertained  his  guests  handsome! v, 
making  grievous  conij)laints  of  the  oppressions  and  exac- 
tions sullercd  by  him  and  his  tribes  at  the  hands  of  ^^()n- 
tezunia's  ollicers.  lie  had  been  subdued  by  the  great 
em2)eror,  and  was  now  his  unwilling  tributary. 


1     Head, 

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I  I 


ABORIGINES  OF  MEXICO. 


73 


Quiavistlan  was  situated  upon  a  rocky  eminence,  up 
wliicli  the  army  advauccd,  pre})arcd  to  crush  any  o])posi- 
tion  on  the  part  of  the  inluibitants.  These,  liowevcr,  had 
mostly  lied  from  tlieir  homes  on  the  approach  of  the  S]);tn" 
iards.  In  the  principal  square,  Cortcz  was  met,  and  sahiled 
with  the  usual  fumigations  of  incense,  l)y  lUlecn  oi'  tlio 
chief  men  of  the  town.  They  excused  the  timidity  of 
their  ])eo])k',  and  promised  that  tlicy  sliould  innnediately 
return,  as  no  injuries  were  intended  by  the  sti'ang-ers. 

Tiiey  came  accordingly;  tlie  chiefs,  together  Avith  the 
corj)ulent  cacique  of  Zempoalla,  Ijeing  boiMie  u})on  litters. 
All  united  in  lamentations  ovei-  thi^  crui;!  state  of  d(.'gra- 
dation  and  serNilude  to  whicli  they  Averc  subiccted  by  tlio 
tyrant  Montezuma,  lb)  j>luiider(Ml  them  of  their  tix'asui'es, 
sei/e(l  ;nid  carried  away  their  wives  aiid  daughters,  and 
saerifieeil  no  small  number  of  them  to  his  gods. 

While,  they  were  yet  consulting  and  besee^'hing  assist- 
ance from  the  Spaiuards,  the  wliolt;  conclavi^  was  sliieken 
with  tei'i'oi'  by  the  intelligence  of  the  ai'i'ival  of  fu'e  royal 
emissaries  or  tax-gatherers,  'i'liese  stately  personage's,  to 
whom  the  (.^uiavistlans  hastened  to  minister  witl'.  cringing 
stM'vility,  (lid  not  even  condescend  to  bestow  a  lo(;lc  upon 
the  Spanish  oflieers.  "They  a -ere  dressed,"  says  Diaz, 
"in  mantles  elea'anily  Avrouuht,  and  draAvers  of  the  same, 
their  hair  shining,  and,  as  it  were,  tied  at  thi-  top  of  ;hc 
heail,  and  each  of  them  had  in  his  hand  a  buneh  of  roses, 
Avhieh  he  occasionally  smelt  to.  'i'hey  Avere  attended  by 
sei'\ants,  who  fanned  tlb'm,  and  each  of  Avhom  cairied  a 
cord  and  a  hooked  stick." 

Calling  the  caciques  before  them,  these  dignitai'ies  rc- 
bnkeil  them  for  entertaining  foi'cigncrs,  avIio  disregai'ded 
the  ex])ressed  Avill  of  the  em])eror,  and,  as  a  punishment 
fir  the  contempt,  deinand(Nl  twenty  victims  for  saeiMfice. 
Cortez,  being  inlbi-med  of  this,  advised  the  seizu.i'e  mid 
inqu'isoument  oi'  these  emissai'ies  until  re})ort  of  their  cru- 


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74 


INDIAX  RACES  OP  AMERICA. 


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cities  and  insolence  could  be  made  to  thcir  mastoT-.  Th 
caciques,  accustomed  to  submission,  were  at  lirst  Lorro: 
stricken  at  tlic  proposal,  but  Cortez  persistir.g  boldly  and 
coiilidently  in  liis  opinion,  they  wont  to  tlie  other  extreme. 
I'lio  five  raa<?nates  were  jilaccd,  says  Solis,  "in  a  kind  of 
J^illories,  used  in  tlieir  Prisons,  and  very  incommodious; 
for  they  held  the  delinquents  by  the  neck,  obliging  tlicni 
continnnlly  to  do  the  utmost  with  their  shoulders  to  case 
the  weight,  for  the  freedom  of  breathing."  "  One  of  them, 
also,  being  refractory,  was  beaten  soundly." 

The  exultant  Quiavistlans  would  have  gone  still  farther, 
and  made  a  speedy  end  of  their  prisoners,  had  not  Cortez 
interfered.  Not  willing  to  give  immediate  offence  to  ^NFon- 
t(vuma,  but  desirous  of  being  in  condition  at  any  moment 
(o  ]iick  a  quarrel,  or  to  claim  the  rewards  nnd  considera- 
ti()!i  due  to  meritorious  services,  he  contrived  to  eflret  the 
esciipc  of  two  of  these  lords,  charging  them  to  give  him 
all  credit  for  the  act  at  their  master's  court.  To  pi  os(  rvo 
the  other  three  fi'om  destruction,  he  took  them  on  l)oard  one 
of  his  vessels,  ''the  fleet  having  come  round  bv  sea)  under 
pretence  of  safe  keejiing.  lie,  none  the  less,  proi'laimed 
to  the  caciques,  his  allies,  that  they  should  thereafter  ])c 
five  from  all  op])rcssions  and  exactions  on  the  ptirt  of  the 
Mexican  authorities, 

Tlie  army  was  now  ■  -t  I'  "'ork  at  the  foundation  of  a 
permanent  fu'Lification  '■v.\\  lown.  By  the  willing  assist- 
ance of  the  natives,  the  walls  of  Vera  Cruz  rose  rapidly. 
IV)  exeite  a  si)irit  of  industry  and  emulation.  Cortex  com- 
menced the  work  of  digging  and  carrying  mntcrials  with 
his  own  hands.  Thirty  ciciqucs,  from  the  mountainous 
districts  of  the  Totonaques,  led  by  reports  of  Spanish  valor 
and  virtues,  came  in  to  offer  their  servicfs  and  alliance. 
Their  followers  are  nnmlxTed  by  [Terrera  (an  author  who 
speaks  too  confide  ntlv  of  particulars)  at  one  hundrcMl  thou- 
sand men;  wild  mountaineers,  but  bold  and  ertieient. 


ABOIUGINES  or  MEXICO. 


75 


While  all  hands  wcn^  at  work  upon  the  new  town,  mes- 
sengers once  again  appeared  from  Montezuma.  II is  anger, 
greatly  excited  by  the  first  i-eports  of  the  seizure  of  his 
officers,  iiad  been  mitigated  by  the  favorable  report  of  those 
who  had  been  allowed  to  escape;  and  he  now  sei;t  two  of 
his  own  nephews,  accompanied  by  four  old  lords,  and  a 
splendid  retinue.  AcknowhMlgments  were  made  by  the 
embassy  for  the  service  rendered  by  Cortez  in  setting  the 
two  tax-gatherers  at  libei'cy;  but  he  was,  at  the  same  time, 
vehemently  requested  to  leave  the  country,  and  not  hin- 
der, by  the  respect  due  to  his  presence,  the  just  punish- 
ment of  the  rebels  with  Avhom  he  was  cohabiting,  lie 
wait"!  adjured  not  to  dream  of  making  further  progress 
towards  the  royal  court,  "for  that  the  im|)cdiinents  and 
dangers  >f  that  journey  were  very  great.  On  which  point 
they  enlarged  with  a  mysterious  tediousness;  this  being 
the  principal  point  of  their  instructions." 

(..'ortez  re})lied  that  danger  and  diHiculties  would  but 
give  zest  to  the  adventure,  for  that  Spaniards  knt-w  no 
fe:ir,  and  only  sought  for  glory  and  renown.  He  entiM'- 
tained  the  ministers  handsomely,  and  dismissed  thorn 
with  presents. 

Tlie  Zempoalans  thought  that  the  friendship  cemented 
otween  them  and  the  foreigners  could  not  be  taken  ad- 
vantage  of  better  than  by  engaging  them  to  subdue  a 
neighboring  tribe,  whose  chief  town  was  called  Cing;i|)a- 
cinga.  They  therefore  induced  Cortez,  by  pretiMiding  that 
a  troul)lesome  ]\rexican  garrison  was  quart'  d  there,  to 
assist  them  in  conquering  the  country.  AViih  fnui-  liuu- 
dred  Spaniards,  and  a  great  company  of  Zcupoalans,  the 
S])anish  leader  oiitd'ctl  the  mountain  district  wliere  the 
enemy  was  to  be  sought.  As  the  army  npproached  tl:e 
town,  eight  old  pi'iests,  in  l)lack  and  hooded  robes,  like 
fi-iars,  came  oul  lo  dejtreeate  his  anger,  ^rhose  funelion- 
aries  [uvsented,  as  usual,  \\\r  most  disgusting  and  hoi'rible 


i 


V;...>-^;iu  ■'■■.I 


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Ill 
if' 

It 


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76 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMEIUCA. 


appofirancc.  Thoir  long  liair  was  tanglod  and  clotted  with 
liuinan  blood,  "which  it  was  a  part  of  their  rules  should 
never  be  washed  off,  and  their  persons  were  lilthv,  loy.th« 
some,  and  offensive  beyond  conception. 

Corte/  discovered  that  he  had  been  deceives],  as  no 
^Mexicans  were  in  the  vicinity,  but  he  put  a  good  f'lcc  on 
the  matter,  and  succeeded  in  making  a  j)eaccab]e  arrange- 
ment between  the  rival  tribes. 

Itcturning  to  Zempoala,  renewed  evidence  \y&a  brought 
before  the  eyes  of  this  ziealous  Catholic,  of  tlie  extent  to 
which  the  custom  of  hunian  sacrillcc  was  carried;  and 
especially  of  the  sale  and  consumption  of  the  bodies  of 
the  victims  as  a  "sacred  food."  He  therefore  concluded 
to  prostrate  the  idols,  and  set  np  the  insignia  of  the  true 
religion.  Long  and  earnest  harangues  failed  to  induce 
the  natives  to  jierform  this  service  thcniselvcs :  they  Avould 
be  cut  to  })ieces,  they  said,  ere  they  W(..nld  l)e  guilty  of 
such  sacrilege.  The  soldiers  then  bi'oke  up  and  destroyed 
the  images,  purged  the  temples,  and,  covering  the  bloody 
marks  of  pagan  worship  ^v'th  lime  and  plaster,  erected  an 
altar,  and  celebrated  the  rites  of  Catholicism.  As  no  pro- 
digy or  signal  vengeance  from  Heaven  followed  the  auda- 
cious act,  the  pliable  natives  seemed  readily  to  fall  in  with 
the  proposed  change,  and,  burning  the  fragments  of  their 
idols,  tliey  aped  the  ])osture  and  formula  of  the  devont 
Spaiuai'ds.  An  old  ami  partially  disabled  soldier,  named 
''i'orres,  agreed  to  remain  as  keepc^r  of  the  newly-conse- 
crated temple,  on  the  departure  of  the  troops. 


;>T!*^.. 


■'"'m 


I  I 

i  j 


ABOUIGINES  OF  MEXICO.  77 


ClIAriER  IV. 

Tnr,  riAuni  to  tlascala — occti-ation  of  the  city — great 

MASSACKE    AT    CHOLULA KNTKANCE    INTO    THE    CITV    OF 

MEXICO,    AND    INTER VI K\V    WITH    MONTEZUMA 

DESCRIl'TION    OF    THE    TEMPLE,    ETC. 

"What  (liviiuv  iiifmslfi-s,  Oli  ye  <,n'ils,  are  llicsi', 
That  lloat  in  air,  and  lly  \\\w\\  tlic  seas! 
Came  they  alive  or  ik-iai  npun  tiu'  shore?" 

Dkyden. 

The  bold  and  adventurous  leader  of  the  Spaniards  now 
began  to  set  in  corncst  about  liis  work  of  conquest.  Ifo 
dispatched  one  sliip  direct  for  Spain,  to  obtain  a  confinna- 
tiou  from  the  sovereign  of  bis  authority  in  N(.nv  Spain ; 
and,  with  the  consent  of  most  of  his  companions,  dis- 
mantled and  sunk  the  rest  of  the  fleet,  that  all  might  bo 
nerved  to  the  most  desperate  efforts  by  the  alternative 
presented  them  of  death  or  complete  success. 

Leavino;  a  garrison  at  I'^e  coast  settlement,  he  com- 
mcnced  his  nxarch  into  the  interior,  accompanied  by  a 
botly  of  Zeinpoalans.  The  Indians  of  Jalapa,  Socochima, 
and  Texucla,  offered  them  no  molestation,  and,  after  en- 
during great  hardshi|)S  in  the  passage  of  the  rugged 
mountains,  the  army  reached  Zocothlan. 

Near  the  religious  temples  of  this  town,  Diaz  affirms, 
with  re]ieated  asseverations,  that  he  saw  human  skeletons, 
so  orderly  arranged,  that  tlicir  numbers  could  be  com- 
puted with  certainty,  and  that  they  could  not  have 
amounted  to  less  tlian  one  hundred  thousand.  Beside 
these  were  huge  piles  of  skulls  and  bones:  other  remnants 
of  mortality  were  hung  from  beams.  Three  priests  had 
cliarge  of  these  relics. 

CoLtrary  to  the  advice  of  the  cacique  of  this  province, 


rKlS  n;f 'fiJ 


1 1' 

11 


73 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMKKICA. 


Cortcz  determined  to  pass  tliroii^li  tho  country  of  Tlas- 
calii,  whose  inhabitants  were  inimieal  to  Monte/uina. 

l'\)iir  Zcnipoalau  Indians,  decked  out  in  the  style  deemed 
suitable  for  ambassa<lors,  and  bearing  arrows,  feathered 
witli  white,  and  carried  ]H>int  downwards,  in  token  of  a 
peaceful  mission,  Avcro  sent  to  wait  on  the  Tlascalan 
authorities.  They  were  received  with  respect  by  tlie  sen- 
ate or  chief  council,  whose  members  were  ranged  in  order, 
in  a  great  hall,  seated  upon  low  chairs,  each  made  from  a 
single  block  of  some  remarkable  wood. 

(jHMt  (h'bate  ensued  as  to  wdK^tlier  the  strangers  should 
l;c  permitted  to  pass  through  the  country.  On  the  one 
hand,  ancient  })rjpheeies  were  cited  of  au  invincible  race 
that  should  come  from  the  Kast.  The  remarkable  fullil- 
ment  in  the  landing  of  these  white  men,  of  many  attend- 
ant circumstances  foretold,  touching  the  ships,  arms,  and 
valor  of  the  invaders,  was  enlarged  u])on,  and  it  wms  pro- 
nounced madness  to  oope  with  thetn.  On  the  other  hand, 
it  was  suggested  that  the  Spaniards  might  be  nothing  bet- 
ter than  "monsters  flung  up  by  ihe  sea  upon  the  coasts," 
and,  if  not,  that  their  sacrilege  and  cruelties  forbade  the 
idea  that  they  could  be  other  than  evil  and  avaricious 
barbarians,  wdio  should  be  crushed  as  noxious  reptiles. 

It  Avas  concluded  to  try  the  strength  of  the  whites,  and, 
if  they  could  not  be  resisted,  the  assault  should  be  attri- 
buted to  the  intractibility  of  the  Ottomies,  a  nation  of 
rude  and  warlike  mountaineers. 

The  result  might  readily  be  foreseen:  no  force,  bow- 
ever  overwhelming  in  numbers,  could  resist  the  fire-arms, 
the  discipline,  and  more  especially  the  horses  of  the  Span- 
iards, 'rbcsc  animals  "(supernatural  or  monstrous  in 
tlieir  imagination)"  so  terrified  the  Indians,  that  thoy  trod 
one  another  under  foot  in  efforts  to  escape  from  the  rush 
of  the  little  corps  of  cavalry.  Tn  several  engagements, 
although  undci.*  advantageous  circumstances,  as  in  ambus- 


>-^. 


■•^rfn 


AnOllIOIXES  OF  MKXICO. 


79 


caJes  and  night  attacks,  the  Thiscahins  Avcrc  routed,  and 
vast  nunihers  of  their  warriors  were  shiughtered.  (\)rte/, 
to  strike  further  terror,  eut  off  the  liands  or  thiimhi^ 
of  fourteen  or  fifteen  eaptives,  and  sent  tlietn  to  tlieir 
own  pe()i)le  to  report  what  manner  of  men  ho  and  his 
followers  were. 

Montezuma,  hearing  of  these  sucecsscs,  sent  more  mes- 
sengers to  endeavor  to  })ersu:ule  Cortcz  not  to  make  fur- 
ther advance,  and  at  the  same  time  to  obstruct  the  con- 
clusion of  a  jieace  between  him  and  the  Thiscahms.  '^^I'liese 
edbrts  f;iiled  signally:  Xicolencal,  the  general  of  the 
opj)osiiig  forces,  in  behalf  of  the  town  and  nation,  made 
an  amicable  settlenient  of  difficulties  w  iih  the  S])aniards. 

With  great  pomp  and  ceremonjj  Cortez  marched  his 
armv  into  the  town  of  TIascala,  on  the  23d  of  September, 
(1519).  The  situation  of  the  place  was  rugged  and  moun- 
tainous, giving  the  streets  great  irregularity;  but  the  build- 
ings were  substantial,  and  the  fortifications  massive.  Here 
the  ai'my  tarried  twenty  days,  and  then  marched  for  Cho- 
lula,  a  great  citv,  entirely  subject  to  the  emperor.  Before 
they  set  out,  ALontezuma  had  again  sent  heralds  to  an- 
nounce his  linal  consent  to  a  meeting,  and  that  quarters 
for  the  S[)anish  troo])s  should  be  made  ready  at  Cholula. 

Several  thousand  Tlascalans,  arme<l  and  equipped,  volun- 
tarily oflercd  their  services,  and  the  whole  army  reached 
Cholula  without  molestation.  Here  the  magnates  of  the 
town  met  them,  objecting  to  the  entrance  of  the  Indian 
allies,  as  they  had  been  enemies  of  the  nation;  and  it  was 
agreed  that  the  Spaniards  and  Zempoalans  alone  should 
be  quartered  in  the  city,  while  the  rest  should  encamp  iu 
the  suburbs.  Ilere  were  seen  evidences  of  greater  wealth, 
and  higher  attainments  in  architectural  skill,  than  at  any 
])lace  before  visited.  The  caciques  appeared  friendly,  and 
furnished  provisions  for  the  troops  for  several  days;  but 
firutlly  discontinued  both  their  visits  and  supplies.     This 


.::.J} 


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80 


l.\l)IA?i    IJACKS  OF  AMKKICA. 


!  I 


aroused  the  suspieioiis  (»('  Curte/,  jiiul  lie  ileteniiincd  to 
maintiiiii  the  utmost  vi<^'il;uiee. 

At  this  jiiiieture  iiii  old  woiiinii  t)I'  rank  eame  to  ^farina, 
f(ir  will  MM  slie  had  Cdiitractcd  <^i'eat  friendship,  and  heLi'.i^ed 
her  to  I'Mi'sakc  the  Spaiiiaids,  and  anwr  \n  live  with  her 
and  \\ry  IVii'iids.  Marina,  ever  on  the  wateh  to  serve  her 
lord  and  ni;ister,  pretendi'il  t-oniplianee,  and,  hy  Jnilicioiis 
questions,  elieited  (Voin  the  old  woman  all  the  partieulai's 
ol'  a  forniidablo  ])lot  for  the  destruction  of  tli(>  Spaniards. 
]\ronf(>/nnia  had  sent  twenty  thousand  men  into  the  viein- 
ity,  part  of  whom  wi're  already  secretly  lirouiilit  within  the 
walls;  pit-falls  with  sharp  stakes  at  the  bottom  had  been 
pi'cpai'ed  ill  tlu^  principal  hi.u'hwMj'S  for  the  destruction  of 
the  horses;  and  stones  were  jiiled  on  the  roofs  of  the  houses 
to  hurl  down  npon  the  devoted  army.  Dia/  says:  "'I'he 
re(^ompcnse  which  they  intended  for  our  holy  and  friendly 
services  was  to  kill  us  and  eat  us,  for  which  ])urpose  the 
pots  were  already  boiling,  and  prepared  with  salt,  pi>pper 
and  tomatas."  Seven  human  victims  had  been  sacriliccd 
to  propitiftc  the  favor  of  the  gods,  and  it  was  purposed  to 
devote  twenty  of  the  Sjxmiards  to  the  same  fate,  as  soon 
as  they  could  be  secured. 

All  these  things  were  confirmed  by  a  searching  examin- 
ation of  some  of  the  caciques,  who,  surprised  at  the  super- 
natural penetration  of  the  Spaniards,  confessed  the  wliole, 
but  attributed  it  entirely  to  Afontezuma.  "With  his  usual 
duplicity,  Cortez  spoke  of  this  conspiracy  in  confidence  to 
the  ambassadors  from  the  court,  pretending  that  he  had 
no  suspicion  of  the  part  ^[ontezurna  had  taken.  lie  then 
gave  public  orders  for  marching  on  the  ensuing  da}^,  in 
order  to  precipitate  the  hostile  movement,  but,  at  th(>.  same 
time,  had  all  his  plans  arranged  for  battle,  and  intelligence 
conveyed  to  his  Tlascalan  troops  to  be  ready  to  assist  him 
at  the  dawning  of  day. 

With  the  first  light  all  was  in  motion;  the  Cholulans 


A  HO  UK!  INKS  OF  MKXFf'O. 


81 


nj)poijitcc"l  to  caiTj  tlic  liacrgago,  and  tlioac  wlio  raino  armod 
ail  protoncc  of  actinpf  as  a  f,niar(l,  hut,  in  reality,  to  fall 
upon  tlic  I'car  of  the  army,  poured  into  the  great  square. 
At  a  given  signal  from  Cortex,  a  lioirihle  niassncre  wm 
coniineneed,  whieli  continued  for  two  days,  'i'lic  Tlasea- 
laiis  of  the  party,  n'^inforeeil  liy  multitudes  fi'om  their  own 
town,  wdio  came  at  the  first  news  of  the  attack,  ravageil 
and  j)lundered  tlio  city  with  umvstraiticd  barbarity.  Cor- 
tex at  last  cheeked  tli(\se  outrages,  and  compelling  such  of 
the  |)lnndcr  and  prisoners  as  he  could  discover  to  be  deliv- 
ered up,  proclaimed  j)eace  and  general  amnesty.  He  set 
free  the  unfortunate  prisoners,  who  were  confined  in  cages 
to  be  fattened  for  sacrifice,  and  vainlv  endeavored  to  con- 
vincc  the  priests  and  people  of  the  enormity  of  their  reli- 
gious rites  and  the  truth  of  his  own  doctrines. 

Cliolula  was  one  of  the  most  noted  citic^s  of  ^[(^xico, 
both  for  its  beauty  of  situation  and  structure,  and  its  posi- 
tion as  the  head-ipuirters  of  the  religion  of  the  country. 
The  immens(>  hill  or  temple  of  sacrifice  has  ever  been  the 
subject  of  admiration  and  astonishment  to  all  beholders. 

Montexuma  dared  no  longer  openly  oppose  the  advance 
of  the  Spaniards.  The  terror  of  their  arms  and  the  gloomy 
prognostications  of  the  priests  cowed  and  subdued  his 
spirit,  and  he  sent  messengers  with  gifts  and  invitations 
to  Cortex  to  visit  liis  court,  '^riie  general  imju-ession  con- 
stantly gained  ground  among  the  Mexicans  that  these 
white  men  must  be  "Teules,"  or  supernatural  beings, 
against  whom  it  were  hopeless  oj)enly  to  contend. 

Fourteen  days  after  the  arrival  at  Cholula,  the  army 
was  again  put  in  motion.  The  Zempoalans  were  dis- 
missed at  their  own  request,  and  their  places  were  supplied 
by  Tlascalans,  who  wci'o  ready  by  thousands  to  share  the 
danger  and  profit  of  the  expedition.  On  the  march  over 
the  rougli  mountainous  district  through  which  lay  their 
path,  strong  bodies  of  Mexicans  had  been  placed  in  am- 
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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


rzr 


82 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


Bl? 


1  i 


busli  by  the  order  of  tlic  kin,2',  but  tlicir  hearts  fiiilod  them 
on  the  approach  of  the  invaders.  Cortcz  reached  Clialco, 
near  the  imperial  city,  not  only  without  serious  opposition, 
but  with  his  forces  increased  by  as  many  natives  of  the 
provinces  through  which  he  passed,  as  lie  chose  ti^  enlist 
under  his  banners.  Enchantments  and  conjurations,  to 
whieli  Montezuma  appUed  himself,  with  his  wliole  corps 
of  magicians,  proved  as  ineffectual  as  his  armies  to  arrest 
the  enemy.  It  was  still  his  purpose  and  hope,  as  the  in- 
vaders well  knew,  to  overwhehn  and  destroy  tlicm  at  a 
disadvantage,  when  tlicy  should  enter  his  city. 

Tlie  Spaniards  reached  Tztapalapa,  on  the  great  lalcc  in 
which  the  city  of  Mexico  was  built,  without  further  Ijlood- 
slied,  exce]-)t  the  destruction  of  a  few  poor  Indians  wlio 
approached  "too  near  "  tlic  encampment  at  Amcmeea,  prob- 
ably from  motives  of  curiosity.  The  lord  of  Tezcueo,  upon 
the  north-eastern  border  of  the  lake,  a  nephew  of  tlie  em- 
peror, visited  them  on  their  route  with  solemn  ceremony. 

Iztapalapa  was  built  partly  in  the  lake,  although  the 
receding  waters  have  left  the  site  mostly  dry.  The  appear- 
ance of  the  place  was  truly  Venetian.  Over  the  broad 
expanse  of  water  were  seen  the  towers  and  buildings  of 
numerous  towns,  at  beholding  which,  together  Avith  the 
great  causey  which  led  to  the  island  city,  the  Europeaiis, 
in  tlie  words  of  Diaz,  "could  compare  it  to  nothing  but 
the  enchanted  scenes  read  of  in  Amadis  of  Gaul,  from  the 
great  towers  and  temples  and  other  edifices  of  lime  and 
stone  which  seemed  to  rise  out  of  the  water."  "Never 
yet,"  he  adds,  "  did  man  see,  hear,  or  dream  of  anything 
equal  to  the  spectacle  which  appeared  to  our  eyes  on 
this  day." 

The  lords  of  the  city  assigned  splendid  buildings  of 
stone  for  the  troops  to  quarter  in;  and  such  was  their 
astonishment  at  the  perfection  of  the  architectural  skill  dis- 
played in  the  palaces ;  the  beauty  of  the  gardens ;  the  alleys 


:.-J 


ABOKIGINES  OF  MEXICO. 


83 


of  frait  and  aromatic  trees;  tlie  fountains,  aqueducts,  and 
artificial  pools;  and  the  vast  concourse  of  curious  natives, 
crowding  the  street  and  causey  to  gaze  on  the  novel 
sight,  or  skimming  the  water  in  their  light  canoes,  that 
"to  many  it  appeared  doubtful  whether  they  were  asleep 
or  awake." 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  November,  1519,  Cor- 
tez  led  his  followers  over  the  main  causey  into  the  impe- 
rial city.  A  great  deputation  of  nobles  and  oflicers  came 
out  to  meet  him,  and  escorted  the  army  into  the  city.  The 
streets  were  empty,  that  the  ceremony  of  the  royal  audience 
might  not  be  impeded;  but  windows  and  balconies  were 
thronged  with  eager  spectators. 

]\[ontezuma  now  appeared,  borne  in  a  glittering  palan- 
quin, and  accompanied  by  his  chief  officers,  magnificently 
adorned,  and  disjilayiug  in  their  downcast  looks  and  silent 
obsequiousness  the  reverence  in  which  they  held  their 
monarch.  As  he  dismounted  and  walked  to  meet  Cortez, 
leaning  on  his  relatives,  the  lords  of  Tezcuco  and  Iztapa- 
lapa,  attendants  spread  carpets  before  him. 

With  unheard-of  condescension  and  expression  of  respect, 
the  king  saluted  the  Spanish  commander  in  Mexican  style, 
stooping  and  touching  the  ground  with  his  hand,  and  then 
raising  it  to  his  lips.  He  wore  a  robe  of  fine  cotton, 
adorned  with  gems,  golden  sandals,  and  a  light  crown  of 
gold  supporting  the  ornamental  circle  of  plumes,  esteemed 
the  most  graceful  head-dress.  lie  was  about  forty  years 
of  age,  of  light  complexion,  and  of  majestic  aspect  and 
demeanor. 

Cortez  advanced,  and  placing  a  showy  necklace  round  the 
monarch's  neck,  would  have  embraced  him,  but  was  gently 
restrained  by  the  attendant  lords — such  familiarity  being 
deemed  unsuitable  to  their  sovereign's  greatness. 

After  mutual  friendly  speeches,  the  whole  throng  pro- 
ceeded to  the  palaces  set  apart  for  the  Spaniards'  use,  and 


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'ml 


84 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


AIoLtczuma,  leading  Cortcz  by  tlic  hand,  coiiductcd  him 
to  his  apartment,  and  pkiccd  about  his  neck  a  golden  collar. 

During  the  week  succeeding  the  entry  into  ^fexico,  cere- 
monious visits  were  interchanged  by  Cortez  and  the  em- 
peror, l^hc  Mexican  prince  conducted  his  guests  through 
the  royal  palaces  and  gardens,  and,  in  their  company, 
visited  the  great  temple  of  sacriiice.  The  historians  of* 
that  day  can  fmd  no  language  strong  enough  to  express 
the  wonder  ana  admiration  which  the  magnilicent  spec- 
tacle excited  in  the  minds  of  the  Spanish  beholders.  The 
pomp  and  state  of  the  monarch;  his  crowd  of  obsequious 
attendants;  his  pleasure  houses,  aqueducts,  fountains,  and 
gardens  of  odoriferous  shrubs;  the  extent  of  his  wealth 
in  jewels  and  the  precious  metals;  his  store  of  arms,  and 
the  number  of  his  skilful  artisans,  are  described  and  en- 
larged upon  at  great  length. 

It  remains  to  this  day  a  matter  of  astonishment  that 
such  huge  buildings  of  hewn  stone,  as  every  where  met 
tho  eye  in  the  ancient  city,  could  have  been  erected  with- 
out the  use  of  iron.  Copper,  hardened  by  an  alloy  of  tin, 
was  the  only  metal  of  which  the  tools  were  made  by  which 
the  hard  rock  was  laboriously  shaped. 

The  indignation  and  horror  excited  by  the  bloody 
religious  rites  of  the  country,  led  Cortez  to  strive  contin- 
ually to  impress  upon  the  mind  of  his  host  tha  folly  and 
absurdity  of  his  religioTi.  The  only  good  effect  that  is 
said  to  have  resulted  from  these  arguments  was  the  aban- 
donment, on  the  part  of  the  king,  of  the  custom  of  hav- 
ing human  flesh  set  upon  his  own  table. 

The  principal  temple  is  minutely  described,  and  must, 
indeed,  have  presented  a  singular  scene  of  horror  and 
magnificence.  It  was  surrounded  by  a  w^all,  faced  with 
wreathed  serpents,  carved  in  stone,  the  gateways  to  which 
were  surmounted  with  statues.  The  roof  of  the  main 
building  was  flat,  and   paved  with  beautifully  polished 


I 


AlJOIlIGlXIvS  OF  MKXICO. 


85 


stones;  and  llicrcon  appeared  two  hideous  idols,  seated 
upon  thrones  of  state  in  all  the  splendor  of  barbaric  orna- 
ment; ^vhilc  before  them  stood  the  terrible  stone  of  sacri- 
fice. I'his  was  a  green  mass  of  rock,  five  spans  high, 
presenting  a  sharp  angle  at  the  top,  over  which  the  miser- 
able victims  wcj'c  stretched,  while  the  priest  gashed  open 
the  living  body  with  a  rude  knife  of  flint,  and  tore  out 
the  palpitating  heart.  "I  devoted  them  and  all  their 
wickedness,"  says  Diaz,  "to  God's  vengeance,  and  thonght 
that  the  time  would  never  arrive  that  I  should  escape 
from  this  scene  of  hunum  butchery,  horrible  smells,  and 
more  detestable  sights."  lie  tells  of  an  apartment  filled 
with  wild  animals  and  venomous  reptiles,  who  were  fed 
with  the  sacrificial  flesh.  Of  these,  the  most  dangerous  ser- 
pents had  "in  their  tails  somewhat  that  sounds  like  casti- 
iiets." — "These  beasts  and  horrid  reptiles  were  retained  to 
keep  company  with  their  infernal  Gods,  and  when  these 
animals  yelled  and  hissed,  the  palace  seemed  like  hell 
itself"  From  this  elevation,  a  beautiful  view  was  ob- 
tained of  the  whole  of  the  great  salt  lake  in  which  the 
city  stood,  the  towns  of  the  vicinity,  the  long  and  well- 
built  causeys  connecting  them,  and  the  magnificei/,  moun- 
tains beyond. 

It  would  be  tedious  to  relate  the  ceremonies  of  the  royal 
court,  although  many  of  them  arc  singvdar,  and  well 
worth  the  examination  of  those  who  would  obtain  a  com- 
23lete  knowledge  of  a  time  and  people  varying  so  widely 
from  any  thing  now  known  on  earth.  Among  Monte- 
zuma's means  of  luxury  or  relaxation  were  the  habits  of 
smoking  tobacco,  drinking  a  fermented  liquor  of  no  little 
potency,  and  listening  to  the  remarks  of  a  set(\f  buffoons 
whom  he  kept  about  him,  in  the  same  capacity  as  that  of 
the  covrt-fools  of  a  past  age  in  Europe. 

An  analogy  to  rites  and  customs  of  the  Old  "World, 
no  less  striking,   was   noticed  in  many  of  the  popular 


L— .. 


.'*;■<  I   Mill 


,-:■:■:« 


1    •  ""Hi 

\  J'  I* 


|i 


¥■ 


8G 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


religious  observances.  "It  should  seem  lliat  tlie  Devil," 
as  \)c  Soils  has  it,  "the  LiVL.itor  ol"  tiiese  Kites,  was 
ambitious  to  imitate  ]>a])tism  and  Cii'cumeisioii,  with 
the  same  pride  with  which  he  endeavored  to  counterlrit 
the  other  Ceremonies,  and  even  the  Saerainiiiits  of  the 
Catholic  Church;  since  he  introduced  among  these  Barbar- 
ians the  Confession  of  Sins,  giving  them  to  understand 
that  thereby  they  obtained  the  Favor  of  their  Gods,  lie 
instituted  likewise  a  ridicnhnis  sort  of  Communion,  which 
the  Priests  administered  upon  certain  Days  in  tiie  Year, 
dividing  into  small  Bits  an  Idol  made  of  Klowei',  mix'd 
up  into  a  Past  with  honey,  which  they  called  t/ic  Ood  of 
PtNileaceJ^ — "^ayi  they  even  gave  their  chief  Priosts  the 
title  of  Papas  m  their  Ijanguage;  by  which  wo  find  that 
this  Imitation  cost  Satan  a  very  pai'ticular  study  and 
ap])lication." 

]\[arriagcs  were  performed  by  the  priest's  tying  the 
veil  of  the  woman  to  a  portion  of  tiie  man's  dress,  after 
certain  prescribed  preliminaries.  In  this  guise  the  2)air 
walked  home  together,  and  concluded  the  ceremony  by 
pacing  seven  times  round  the  domestic  hearth.  Divoi'ces 
were  at  the  discretion  of  the  parties,  and  when  they  took 
place,  the  sons  belonged  to  the  man,  the  daughters  to  the 
Avoman.  Hasty  separations  were  guarded  against  by  a 
provision  that,  should  they  again  cohabit  after  having 
once  broken  the  bond  of  union,  both  should  be  put  to 
death.  In  some  instances,  on  the  death  of  the  husljand, 
his  wife  would  immolate  hei'self,  according  to  the  custom, 
until  recently,  so  prevalent  in  India. 


■mrrf**! 


m\tm 


ABOUKilNKS  OF  MKXICO.  87 

ClIAI'TKll  V. 

SKIZUliE    ANO    IMriil.SO.NMKNT    OF    M  ()  NTK /,  1  ^  .M  A — KXECUTION    OF 

QtJAM'Ol'OI'A   AND   HIS   COMI'AMO.NS 0,\IINOI'S    I'liOSl'KCTS 

EXl'lvDITION     OF      I'A.All'llll.O     DK  '  .\  A  1!  VA  i;/, Si;(('i;sS     Ol'' 

COI.'TKZ  A(iAlN.ST  JII.M liKTlllt.N   Tt)  .AIICXICO OUTllAtiP: 

li\   ALVAIiADO,  AM)  CONSKql'ENT  '1'I{0UI1M;S DKATII 

OF  Mf)NTUZTI.'\IA Till:  "^Ol■||I:  TIM.STk" HATTIJC 

OF  ointJ  iii.\,  AM)  Ai;i;ivAL  at  tlascaka, 

"Aii(i  snuiids  (li;'t  iiiiiiolcil  l;mij;ii — !umI  sliout — and  siToam — 
To  tVci'/.i'  tlu^  1»1()()(1  ill  one  discoiilant.  jiir, 
lluag  to  tlic  pi'iiliiig  thuiidfiiiolU  ol'  war." 

Campbell. 

Coiri'KZ  was  not  yet  satisfuMl ;  lie  Iblt  liis  situatioji  to  be 
precarious,  and  tliat  liis  object  would  not  be  fully  accom- 
plislied  until  he  had  acquired  corn}>lctc  mastery  over  the 
inhabitants  of  the  imperial  city.  While;  he  was  on  his 
march  to  Mexico,  Juan  do  Escalcntc,  connuander  of  the 
garrison  left  at  Vera  Cruz,  had,  with  six  otlier  Spaniards, 
j)crishe(l  in  a  broil  with  the  natives.  One  soldier  was 
taken  prisoner,  but  dying  of  his  wounds,  his  captors  car- 
ried his  head  to  Montezuma,  ^J'hc  tr(^phy  ])roved  an  ob- 
ject of  terror  to  the  king,  who  trembled  as  hc^looked  on 
the  marks  of  manly  strengtli  wliich  its  contour  and  tliick 
curled  beard  betokened,  and  ordered  it  from  his  presence. 

Cortez  knew  of  these  events  when  at  Cholula,  but  had 
kept  them  concealed  from  most  of  his  i^eoplc.  lie  now 
addnced  them,  in  select  council  of  his  oflicers,  as  reason — 
with  other  matters — for  the  bold  step  he  purposed.  This 
was  to  seize  the  person  of  Afontezuma. 

On  the  eighth  day  after  the  arrival  at  the  city,  Cortez 
took  with  him  Alvarado,  Velasrpiez  de'Leon,  Avila,  San- 
doval, and  Francisco  de  Luio,  and,  ordering  a  number  of 
his  soldiers  to  ]<;(>ep  in  his  vicinity,  proceeded  to  the  royal 


L-^r 


mm 


J 


88 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMKIIICA. 


I  i 


!l 


piilat'c.  lie  cijii\t;rsc(l  with  Moiit<!/.iiin;i  ('(iiiceruing  the 
atliK'k  oil  tho  giiri'isoii  v^.  the  coiist,  find  professed  Ik'Uci"  in 
the  Moxiciin  prince's  assovonitioiis  that  ho  liad  ni>  [lail  in 
it;  bnt  added  th;i(,  to  fpiiet  all  sns])ieion  on  the  [)art 
ol'  the  great  c)n])eror  of  the  East,  it  wonld  be  hcsL  for 
him  to  I'eniove  to  tho  Spanish  qnarters!  Monteznnia  saw 
at  once  the  degradaticni  to  which  he  was  called  nj)on  to 
submit,  bnt  looking  on  the  lieree  Spaniards  around  him, 
and  hearing  an  interpi'etation  of  their  threats  to  dispatch 
him  innnediately  if  he  did  not  com}>ly,  he  sull'erei I  himself 
to  be  coiubicted  to  the  palace  occupied  by  his  false  friends. 

To  liidc  his  disgrace  from  his  subjects,  tho  unha])[)y 
monarch  assured  tho  astonished  concourse;  in  tho  strei^ts 
that  ho  went  of  his  own  free  will.  Cortex,  while  lu;  kept 
his  ])risoner  secure  by  a  constant  and  vigilant  gnai'd, 
allowed  him  to  preserve  all  the  outward  tokens  of  royalty. 

Aroanwhile,  Qualpopoca,  tho  governor  of  the  disti-ict 
■where  Jnan  do  l^scalentc  lost  his  life,  was  sent  for,  to- 
gether with  his  associate  oilieers.  AVhen  they  ai .  d, 
Cortez;  was  allowed  by  Montezuma  to  punish  then  '  -s 
O"  :  :  iscretion,  and  the  inhuman  monster  caused  th^-m  to 
hi  '■  urned  alive  in  the  sight  of  tlio  po])ulace.  Tho  fuel 
used  for  this  purpose  consisted  of  the  royal  stores  of  arrows, 
darts,  and  bther  warlike  implements.  Still  furth(>r  to  ({uell 
the  spirit  of  the  king,  fetters  wore  placed  upon  his  ankles 
during  the  execution  of  this  cruel  sentence. 

The  people  of  ]\[exico  could  not  bo  blinded  to  tho  true 
position  of  their  sovereign,  and  it  was  not  long  before 
ominous  signs  appeared  of  a  general  determination  to 
avenge  his  wrongs,  and  vindicate  the  insulted  honor  of  tho 
nation.  Tho  young  lord  of  the  ancient  and  ])owerful  city 
of  Te/.cuco  was  foremost  iu  arousing  this  spirit  of  resist- 
ance, bnt  by  artifice  and  treachery  ho  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  Spaniards,  .and  his  brother  was  proclaimed  gov- 
ernor in  his  stead. 


1 1 

,  I 


ABORJOINKS  i)V  MEXICO. 


80 


The  king  was  brouglit  so  low  us  to  consent  to  acknowledge 
himself  ii  subject  ol'  <hc  Spunisli  etnperoi-;  and  he  deliv- 
ered II I )  toCortez  treasures  of  g(»ld  ;iiid  silver  fo  the  aniount, 
aecor'diiig  to  computation,  of  nmi'e  than  six  millions  (^1' 
dollars,  as  a  present  to  his  new  sovei'eign.  ]>ut  a  small 
portion  of  this  wealth  was  reserved  to  be  sent  to  Spain; 
tiie  rest  was  divided  among  the  eoiupierors,  the  chiefs  and 
odicers  appropriating  the  lion's  shan;. 

The  next  moveuKMit  was  to  establish  the  Christian  cere- 
monies of  worship  iij)on  the  veiy  site  so  long  venerated 
as  llie  palace  of  the  great  god  of  war.  After  strong  ojjpo- 
sitioii,  a  [)ortion  of  the  ai'ca  on  the  summit  of  the  chief 
temple  was  set  apai't,  ibr  the  Sj)aiiiiir(ls'  use  in  the  solem- 
nities of  their  religion,  while  the  blood-stained  idol  and 
the  stone  of  sacrifice  maintained  their  old  position. 

At  these  sacrilegious  innovations  the  whole  populace 
became  more  and  more  exasperated.  Munt(!/uma  wai'iied 
his  op|)ressors  of  the  storm  tluat  would  break  upon  them, 
declaring  that  if  he  shoidd  but  give  the  sign,  his  whole 
people  would  I'ist;  as  one  man  to  release  him  and  destroy 
the  hated  whites.  The  unfortunate  monarch  seems  to 
have  been  distracted  and  overcome  by  emotions  of  the 
most  co-dieting  nature.  For  some  of  the  Spanish  odiccrs 
he  had  contracted  no  small  degree  of  personal  attachment, 
while  he  must  have  felt  continually  galled  by  the  restraint 
placed  upon  his  person,  and  by  the  consciousness  that  he 
was  now  but  a  tool  in  the  hands  of  the  proud  invaders  of 
liis  dominions.  The  mildness  and  dignity  of  his  demeanor 
excited  sympathy  and  respect  from  his  jailors,  and  Cortez 
exacted  the  utmost  deference  and  respect  towards  his  cap- 
tive from  all  around  liim. 

T\\(i  prudent  general  saw  the  necessity  for  every  precau- 
tion against  an  attack  fj'om  the  natives,  and,  to  guaixl 
against  his  retreat  being  cut  off,  on  such  a  contingency, 
had  two  vessels  built  and  furnished  from  the  stores  saved 


L^: 


I' 

f 


■  ■'    ■'■■  '.t ' 
'        ■'■■■      -^ 


# 


■,ti 


'■M    Mil 


■1 

n 


'■> 


•J  '   .   'vs.  V « 


90 


INDIAN  HACKS  OP  AMKRICA. 


I,. 


from  tlic  (lismaiitliil  llcrt.  Living  upon  an  iHlund,  it  was 
in  llio  power  of  tlni  natives  at  any  time  to  destroy  the 
hi'id^LXi's  and  eans(n's,  liy  wlTu'Ii  alone;  there  was  eoinmniii- 
cation  witli  tlu;  main. 

At  tliis  erisis,  wlion  all  his  eninyies  Avere  I'eipiived  to 
lesist  llit>  I'nry  <»('  an  oiiti'ai^vd  nuiltitnde  of  l)ar]);iri;iiis 
ai'oiind  him,  Corte/  jicai'd  ol'  duiiu'er  Croiii  another  soiiree, 
which  iiiMscd  hliii  more  deeply  than  any  hostilities  on  th(^ 
part  of  the  Nfexieans. 

'J'lu!  jealons  Cuban  governor,  Yclasrpip?;,  enraged  at  his 
presumption  in  throwing  oil'  the  authority  undei-  which  lie 
liad  sailed,  littcil  out  a  lonnidahle  arniananit  to  overthrew 
the  newly-acipiii'ed  power  of  Cortez.  The  lle(>t  uinlcr  the; 
conunand  of  l*ani[)hilo  do  Nni'vaez  reached  the  ^Mexican 
coast,  and  nt'ws  of  its  ai'rival  were  conveyed  to  Corte/i  ill 
the  month  (;f  Afay,  lo2(). 

A\'ith  his  usual  decision  and  ])romplness,  the  gencu'al 
divided  his  i'ort'es,  and  lca\ing  the;  largcu*  jxu'tion  under 
Alvarado  to  mairitain  ])Ossession  of  the  capital,  h"  miirchcd 
to  cheek  thi^  advance  of  Narvaez.  By  the  boldness  ol'  a 
night  attack,  followed  up  by  the  most  consummate  policy 
in  winning  over  the  good  wishes,  and  exciting  the  cu])idity 
of  the  newly-arrived  ai'iny,  lie  converted  his  enemies  to 
friends,  and,  phu-ing  tlu;  leader  in  continement,  hastened 
back  to  the  city  with  his  powerful  auxiliaries.  J  lis  return 
was  timely  indeed.  Alvarado  had  been  t-'uilty  of  an  act 
of  barbarity,  (whether  caused  l)v  avarice,  by  a  sup[M)sed 
necessity,  or  by  a  desire  to  ape  the  valiant  aehievenuMit^ 
of  his  master,  cannot  now  be  ascertained,)  which  Jiad 
brought  down  upon  liiin  and  liis  garrison  the  fury  and 
indignation  of  the  whole  Aztec  nation. 

Upon  an  occasion  of  great  pubhc  ceremonials  at  tho 
Teocalli,  or  temple,  at  which  were  gathered  a  great  con- 
course of  the  nobility  and  chiefs,  the  Spaniards,  ])lacing 
a  gu;u-d  at  tho  gates  of  the  outer  wall,  mingled  with  the 


i  I 


il 


\nouiaiNKs  OF  mkxico. 


91 


uiiarmod  oomjKiiiy,  and,  at  an  a])i)(nntt!cl  sign,  fell  upon 
anil  inurderod  ovoiy  Mexican  present. 

A  general  I'lish  upon  the  Sj)ani;sh  (piartors,  wliieli  lul- 
lowed  this  event,  was  oidy  cheeketl  by  the  appearance  of 
Monte/ntna  himsiilf  Uj)on  one  ol"  the  towers  ol"  tlie  liniM- 
in<:;,  who,  knowing  doubtless  that,  his  own  life  (^)uld  seai-ecly 
be  pivservcd  in  such  a  inehic,  re([uested  his  sul)jects  to  I'or- 
l)(\ir.  ^riiey  thei'efoi'c  eontcnitcd  themselves  with  l)esi(\uing 
thi!  gari'ison,  and  cutting  olV  suj)[)lies  of  fcjod  and  wholi;- 
sonio  water. 

It  was  on  St.  John's  day  in  the  month  of  .hnu^,  that 
(^)rte/-  I'i'enteix'd  the  city.  The  streets  were  silent  and 
desertcil,  and  with  doubt  and  appreluMision  he  ])roeeeded 
to  tli(>  Spanish  palace.  ^Fhc  soldiers  of  the  gai'rison  wei'o 
ovcM'joyed  at  the  sight  of  the  recruits,  and  reerived  their 
bi-cthren  with  open  arms.  Cortez  saw  the  folly  ol"  Al\-a- 
rado's  eonduet,  and  in  his  fii'st  mood  of  indignation  ami 
])etnlane(\  at  the  ])robable  frustration  of  his  ])lans,  he 
indulged  in  contcm})tuous  treatment  of  his  royal  eai)tive. 

M'lie  slate  of  ominous  silence  observed  in  the  city  did 
not  continue  long.  News  came  in  that  tlu;  Indians  were 
destroying  the  bridges;  and  a  body  of  four  hundred  men, 
under  De  Ordas,  who  were  sent  out  to  reconnoitre,  were 
(li'i\-en  back,  with  a  loss  of  twenty-three  of  their  .lumbe'-. 
Such  crowds  of  natives  poured  forth  from  their  ]>hiee.-;  of 
concealment,  that  the  streets  were  choked  with  the  living 
jnass,  while  from  balcony  and  r()of-to{)S,  a  storm  of  weap- 
ons ami  missiles  of  every  description  rained  ii])on  the 
heads  of  the  Spanish  troo})S. 

Surrounding  the  qnartei's  of  the  Spaniards,  and  using 
every  endeavor  to  burn  the  wooden  ])oi'tion  of  the  build- 
ings, the  wih.l  horde  of  enragcMl  Mexicans  continued  tlie 
assault,  with  desperate  fu.ry,  till  nightfall. 

Cortez  attemj)ted  a  sally  with  the  fii'st  dawn  of  the  fol- 
lowing day,  but  he  soon  found  that  he  had  an  enemy  to 


I       I        I.    *     !■!    ■  V  'i 


•^  't' 


.■»|i 


■    :'A4      '>S| 


■mi:  ^Mr 


M^ 


,U 


Wu^' 


93 


INDIAN    UACKS  oK  AMKKICA. 


(Miciiiiiitcr  (»r  liir  •lill'crciit,  spirit  (Vom  those  wlio  liinl  licf(V 
titforc    o|>|»(»sc(l    liiiii.      I)i;i/   s:iys,   "H'wd    li;nl    I'ci'ii    ten 

lIlOIISMIhl      llci'tolS     el"  'IVoV,     :illil     MS     IlKinV      liolilllllS,     W(! 

foiiM  iidt,  Ikivc  liciitni  llicm  <)(1'.  Sdiiic  of  our  snIdiiM's 
will)  li;nl  lifcii  ill  It.'ily,  suKi't'  lli;it  iicitlicr  ;iiiii«iim' (!liris- 
tiiii  imr  Turks  lind  tlicv  cvt-r  seen  such  (h'spi'ijttiim  as 
\v:is  iiiaiiiU'sti'd  in  the  adacks  of  ihosc  liidiaiis.''  The 
arlilk-rv  in  \;iin  swept,  them  down,  ('m'  tliousaiids  were 
ready  to  rush  ovei-  the  liiHeii  bodies  ol'  lh<'il'  eoiiirailes, 
and  eoiitiniie  the  hattle  with  aii'^nieiited  liereeiiess.  Thu 
Si>aiiianls  wei'e  tiiially  (ort'ed  to  retreat.  V'ai'ioiis  e\p(v 
I  clients  were  li'ieil  liy  the  iiide('atiuai>Ie  Spanish  ^'etieral  to 
I  (piell  the  insiirreetioii,  and  to  ihsloilt'e  tin'  assaikinis,  who 
1  shot  their  weapons  I'roiii  e\''ei'V  hiijh  Imildiii'''  in  the  vieiii- 
I  it\'  of  the'  Harrison.  Movin^c  towers  ol'  wooil  wei'e  eon- 
I      striiete(k  to  he  (h'awii  thi'oiiLdi  the  street  1>\'  eoiiiiiaiiies  of 


asealaiis,  whi 


le  Spanish  wari'iors  IVoni 


le   interior  dis-     I 


('hai'u'ed  vol!e\sol  iniisipiel  r\'  upon  tin'  liulians.  iMaiiy 
hnndi'eil  houses  were  (h'slrityed  l»y  tii'e,  Imt,  beini"'  prinei- 
jialiN'  ol'  stone,  no  _ueneral  eonlkniratioii  ensued. 


As  a,  hist  n'sorf,  tlie  i;r(>at-  kiinj-  hii 


iiselt,  (leeKeil    in    Ins 


rolies  oC  state,  was  tal«;en  to  the  I 


ower  irom  w  nieli  li(>  iiad 


1. 


)!'(>    sueeeeihMl    in    (plieliiiij:   the  ani^i'V   populace,       I  he 
le    iistenctl   with   del'erenti.al   awe,  hut   when    they 


ninllilu( 


heard  a^iain  the  palpahh^   falsehood    that   he  staid   anion^Li; 
the  Spaniards  hy  his  own    free  will,  I'everi' 


nee  ua\e  wav 


to  c<)ntenipt  and  nidiu'iiation.      I>c\  iliiiLis  and   repcoaehes 
were  l'oll()wed   hv  a   shower  of  stoni\s  and   ai'rows.     Thi! 


attendant  soldiei's  m  vain  interj)osed  then'  shields  to  pi'o- 
tect  the  em]>eror:  he  fell,  si>verely  wonndeil  upon  the  head 
by  a  stone.  The  crowd  now  i'(^tii\Ml,  appalled  at  the  sacri- 
\c'j:c  that  they  had  coinniitted.  Wni  tlu>  work  was  doiK^: 
the  inisei'ablo  Monte/uma,  overcome  with  "ai-y,  niortilk'.i- 
tion,  and  d(>spair,  wi»u!d  accept  of  no  assistance,  either 
snr;j,-ical  or  s[)iritnal  from  the  Spaniards.     In  lhix\!  days, 


)'. 


-rii 


AHOIMdINKS  OF  MI;NI<'0. 


03 


S.'IVS  (If  Soils,    "ll(>    Slirrt'li'l.Ti'il    up    l'>    tllc    l)i'\il    tlir    ctcl'- 

ii:il  Possession  of  his  Soul,  cmplovini^,-  the  hitcsl,  tiioniinls 
of  Ills  I'lv.iili  ill  iiii|»ii)iis  Tlioiji'lils  of  s;i('rirK'iii,!j;  his  I'lii''- 
mil's  lo  his  I""in'v  Miid  llfvi'iiirf."' 

|''«)i'  thi-  p.ii'lii'iihirs  of  Ih'-  v.'irioiis  sorlii'.-;;  tlic  cc'isi'li'ss 
ri'j,iirni'.r;  iiml,  ;ihov*^  nil,  lln^  Icrrililc  Sfciic  iit,  thr  stoniiiiiL'; 
of  lilt'  holy  t('iii)tlc,  \\n)  rciulcr  must  I'di'i-  to  mitre  cxtrii- 
si\'('  ti'r;ilis('s  lh;iii  tliis;  siinicc.  it,  th;it,  \\  ('iiki'iii'il  iiv  cim- 
tiini;il  liitiirni',  iiml  (l;iy  l»y  <l;i_v  less  ;iMc  to  rrsi.-l  the  ;is- 
sanhs  of  the  ciu'iiiv,  tJir  Spjuiiiifls  (iiiiillv  (•onrluilrij  to 
('\;i('ii,iti'  the  city.  One  JioU^Ilo,  !i  soldier  who  \v;is  rciniti'ij 
:i  iiri'i'itiiiaiii'iT,  ;is  ho  "s|)ok(>  liiitiii,  Mini  h;iil  hccii  !it 
I'oiiii','"  aiiiioiinccij  ;i  ccrlMiii  iii^ht  ;is  the  only  time,  wiien 
lh(!  ai'iny  eoiiM  escape  iit.tcM'  (1(\striietioii. 

(\)l'te/,  whether  moveil  hy  silpel'sl ilioit  or  awiire  oC  its 
iii(hienee  with  the  army,  ami  hopcl(>ss  of  loii;.j,ei'  mainlniii- 
iiii^  a  hoM  on  the  eajiital  nmler  existing"  eirenmstaiiers, 
made  ]>rep;iiations  to  iiiareh.  lie,  al.tem))ted  to  hlinil  hi.s 
]»I'0(n'eilini'S  liy  preteildeii  treaties  with  the  M.'\ii';ilis,  pl'o- 
])osin;;"  to  e\aeiiate  the  eit.y  peaeeiilily  within  ei;j,lit  days, 
while,  at  tin-  same  time,  \\c  was  orderin^^  e\-erv  tiling"  l()r 
an  instaiitaiu'ous  d(>piirtur(\  A  j)ortal>le  lirid^c  was  j)r(> 
pared  to  alVord  tlu^  in(^a,iis  for  crossing  tin;  ^aps  in  the 
causey  made  by  the  enemy. 

On  the  ni<j;lit  of  the  lli-st  of  July,  (ir)2(>),  the  general 
l)rou,<:;ht  out  the  iuuneiise  treasures  of  gold  stonnl  iji  his 
chamber,  and,  having  se{)arated  the  poi'tion  allotted  to  the 
crown,  told  the  soldiery  to  take  what  they  would,  but 
cautioned  them  against  ciiouinbering  themselves. 

It  wfis  near  uiidnight,  and  dark  and  rainy,  wluni  the 
troops  were  put  in  motion,  ^riiey  were  in  the  actof  ])ass- 
ing  the  first  breach,  over  the  portable  biidge,  when  the 
alarm  was  given  that  the  "Tcules  w(!re  going,"  and  the 
cry  of  "^Paltelulco,  Taltelul(!o,  (out  with  your  canoes")" 
resoundcMl  over  the  water.     The  Spaniards  were  doomivl 


•1    ;   :i 

'■     f  A  .  ■'  ■'ill 

!•  ••/•/ri'rSj 


*l^..^?;| 


-f  %  :i 


WMv 


%. 


H»; ; 

'     *   1**     i 

t 

■    .'% 

> 

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.:m 

i 

■  \.  ■-  *■  ■*i3 


.i .  -'-■'♦<  it 


-;,/;.-; -1 


r" 


94 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMKRICA. 


r,-.  .V 


^'h 


ll. 


1 1 


to  o'reatcr  disaster  and  misery  on  this  ni,q-lit,  kiiowm  as  the 
"nocliG  triste,"  or  iiiglit  of  sorrow,  tlian  they  had  ever  yet 
c>c2)crienced.  An  innumerable  horde  of  dusky  ils^urcs 
beset  the  causey,  and  attacked  the  fugitives  in  front,  fhmk, 
and  rear. 

Py  a  complication  of  misfortune,  the  bridge  broke,  and 
from  tlic  struggling  mass  of  men  and  horses,  the  few  Avdio 
could  obtain  footing  on  the  causey  were  mostly  killed,  or 
their  cries  fo;  help  were  heard  by  their  companions  as 
they  were  borne  off  in  the  canoes  of  the  eneniy,  doomed 
victims  for  sacrifice.  The  cavalry,  who  were  in  advance, 
hastened  forward,  hopeless  of  relieving  those  whose  re- 
treat liad  been  cut  off,  and  who  were  blindly  contendirg 
m  the  darkness  with  the  fierce  and  enraged  Aztecs. 

Alvarado,  dismounted  and  wounded,  came  up  with  the 
advance,  on  foot,  accompanied  by  three  soldiers  and  eight 
'^riascalans.  He  reported  the  destruction  of  the  rear-guard, 
together  with  their  leader,  Velasquez  de  Leon.  According 
to  some  accounts,  Alvarado  had  made  his  escape  by  an 
extraordinary  leap  over  the  gap,  but  Diaz  denies  the  pos- 
sibility of  tlie  act. 

The  wearied  and  disabled  remnant  of  the  proud  army 
of  Cortez  pursued  their  route  towards  the  friendly  district 
of  Tlascala,  followed  by  detached  companies  of  Mexicans, 
who  attacked  the  fugitives  in  the  rear,  and,  with  insulting 
shouts,  bade  them  hnsten  to  the  doom  that  awaited  them. 

Near  a  place  called  Obtumba,  the  Indians  were  found 
arrayed  upon  a  plain  in  countless  hosts,  to  obstruct  the 
march,  and  finish  the  work  so  successfully  commenced  on 
the  night  of  the  retreat.  There  was  no  way  to  avoid  a 
general  engagement,  and  every  Spaniard  nerved  himself 
for  the  desperate  struggle.  "We  quote  from  Bernal  Diaz — 
"Oh  what  it  was  to  see  this  tremendous  battle!  how  we 
closed  foot  to  foot,  and  with  what  fury  the  dogs  fought 
us!  such  wounding  as  there  was  amongst  us  with  their 


>  I 


i| 


I  : 


I  I 


I  i 


L. 


,  I 

I  1 

•  i 

'  I 

;  I 

■     ! 

ii 


;  I 


I  ! 


ABORIGINES  OF  MEXICO. 


95 


lan(.30s  and  clubs,  and  two-liondcd  swords,  while  our  cav- 
alrv,  favoured  by  the  plain  ground,  rode  througli  them  at 
will. — Then,  to  hear  the  valiant  Sandoval  how  he  encour- 
aged us,  crying  out,  'Now,  gentlemen,  is  the  day  of  vie- 
to  I'v  ;  put  your  trust  in  God,  we  shall  survive,  for  he 
preserves  us  for  some  good  purpose.' " 

The  royal  standard  was  taken,  its  bearer  being  slain,  and 
the  whole  multitude  were  put  to  flight,  and  hewn  down 
by  hundreds  in  their  retreat.  The  Spaniards  pushed  on 
to  Tlascala,  not  without  misgivings  as  to  the  reeeptiou 
they  should  meet  with  in  their  present  crippled  and  suf- 
fering condition.  These  fears  proved  groundless:  the 
friendly  Tlascalans  embraced  them  affectionately;  Avept 
over  their  loss;  and  gently  rebuked  them  for  trusting  the 
treacherous  Mexicans. 

During  the  "  noche  triste,"  and  upon  the  march  to  Tlas- 
cala, eight  hundred  and  seventy  Spaniards  are  recorded  to 
have  perished  in  battle,  or  to  have  been  doomed,  as  pris- 
oners, to  a  far  more  terrible  fate.  Of  their  Tlasealan  allies 
more  than  a  thousand  were  slain.  Only  four  hundred  and 
forty  of  the  Spanish  troops  reached  Tlascala,  and  these 
were  many  of  them  wounded  and  disabled,  and  were  ill 
supplied  with  arms.  Some  accounts  state  that  the  Mexi- 
can army,  at  Obtumba,  numbered  two  hundred  thousand 
men,  and  that  twenty  thousand  of  these  fell  in  the  engage- 
ment or  were  slaughtered  in  their  tumultuous  retreat. 


i 


^'^ 
^ 


'n- 1 


%      I 


I 


r  i 


#'" 


'M 


11 


&k"i 


'r.r 


'      »i  i  t* 

m 


It) 


fi 


96 


INDIAN   RACES   OF   AMKRICA. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

PUKPARATIONS    FOR    THE  ATTACK    ny    TIIR    CITY    OK  MF.XICO- 
lUIll.niNG  AND  TRANSPOIiTATION  OK  URICANTINKS — SIK.GE 

LAID    TO    T7IK     CITY ASSAin/r    PY    TIIK     SI'ANIAIinS, 

ANP    THKIR    RKI'IM.SK — SACHIK1CJC    OK    VHISON- 

ERS CArTUliE    OK  GUATIMOZIN,  AND 

CONQUEST    OK    THE    CAPITAL. 


H' 


And  Aztec    priests,  upon  tlieir  toociillis, 
liuat  the  wild  war-dnini,  made  of  serpents'  skin.'' 

Longfellow. 

On  the  death  of  Montezuma,  liis  brother  Cuithihua, 
governor  of  Iztapalapa,  liad  taken  the  supreme  eommand 
over  the  Aztecs,  lie  had  been  prime  mover  in  the  rcv^olt 
Avliich  resulted  in  the  expulsion  of  the  Spaniards  from  the 
city,  and  it  was  by  his  orders  that  their  llight  had  been 
so  fiercely  followed  up.  At  the  present  juncture,  he  sent 
heralds  to  propose  a  treaty  of  peace  with  the  friendly  tribe 
by  whose  hosj)itality  the  Spanish  army  was  now  su])poi'ted, 
proposing  the  destruction  of  the  whites,  who  had  brought 
such  woes  upon  the  whole  country.  A  portion  of  tlic 
Tlascalan  assembly  looked  approvingly  upon  the  sugges- 
tion, but  the  older  and  wiser  members,  reflecting  upon  the 
known  treachery  of  the  Mexicans,  and  their  former  acts 
of  oppression,  refused  to  listen  to  it. 

Cortez,  perceiving  discontent  to  be  rife  among  his  men, 
determined  not  to  remain  idle,  but  to  keep  their  attention 
constantly  employed.  Some,  who  were  pining  for  ease  and 
quiet,  ho  allowed  to  take  ship  for  ^  ;ba,  while  by  evcrrv 
argument  he  appealed  to  tlie  honor  and  valor  of  his  veter- 
ans, urging  them  not  to  desist  at  the  first  failure,  but  to 
stand  by  their  general  and  reinstate  their  fiillen  fortunes. 
lie  engaged  in  bloody  conflicts  witli  Mexican  tribes  on 


ii 


i  I 


ABOTllGrVKS  OF  MEXICO. 


97 


either  side  of  T'lasoala,  with  the  most  distinguished  suc- 
sess;  and  taking  possession  of  the  town  of  Topeaea,  a  I'ew 
leagues  distant,  estabhshed  liis  head-quarters  there. 

By  singular  good  fortune,  several  ships,  bi-inging  fresh 
troops  to  su])port  Narvaez,  arrived  fi'oni  Cuba,  and  tlie 
adventurei'S,  learning  the  true  position  of  alTaii'S,  readily 
joined  the  popular  header.  Another  expedition,  sent  by 
the  governor  of  Jamaica  to  form  a  settlement  farther  up 
the  coast,  ordy  contributed  to  swell  the  resources  of  Cor- 
tez;  those  eiigaged  in  the  undertaking  deeming  it  more 
profitable  to  unite  with  the  followers  of  so  renowned  a 
general,  than  to  undergo  the  dangers  and  hardship  of  estab- 
lishing themselves  unassisted  among  hostUe  savages. 

Cortez  determined  to  make  every  preparation  for  a 
renewed  attack  upon  the  city  of  AFexico.  Ecturning  to 
Tlaseala,  he  F^t  himself  to  equip  and  furnish  his  troop."?, 
and  to  train  the  Indian  allies  in  the  art  of  war.  Gunpov^- 
dcr  was  manufactured;  the  sulphur  being  procured  from 
the  neighboring  volcano  of  Popociitapetl.  The  most  im- 
jiortant  pai't  of  his  schemes,  however,  was  the  building  a 
number  of  small  vessels,  or  bngantines,  by  means  of  which 
his  troops  couhl  be  made  independent  of  the  narrow  and 
dangerous  causeys.  Iliese  vessels  lie  ord^'red  to  be  made 
in  separate  pieces,  of  such  a  size  that  they  could  be  trans- 
ported over  the  mountains  by  the  Indian  carriers:  the 
stores  and  rigging  were  brought  from  the  coast  by  tlie 
same  means  of  conveyance. 

On  the  28th  of  December  Cortez  led  his  army  forth 
fi'om  Tlaseala.  The  Spanish  force  was  less  than  that  with 
which  the  fir.st  invasion  was  undertaken,  but  was  supei'ior 
in  martial  equipments.  The  whole  army  consisted  of 
about  six  hundred  whites,  and  ten  thousand,  or  upwards, 
of  Tlascalans.  They  marched  direct  for  Tezcuco,  on  the 
great  hUvC  of  Mexico.  No  opposition  was  made  during 
the  march,  and  the  city  was  yielded  to  them  without  a 
7 


.'■.iff'j-.ii'^ 


,i., 


1 

1 

98 


INDIAN   RACES   OF  AMERICA. 


•0 


;:|iAl 


■vm 


struggle,  nearly  all  the  inliabitarits  deserting  it  in  tlieir 
boats.  Ucre  it  was  dctonnined  to  await  tlic  completion 
and  arrival  of  the  brigant'mes. 

While  all  those  formidable  preparations  were  going  on, 
important  changes  had  taken  place  in  the  Aztec  monarchy. 
Cuitlahna,  or  Quetlavaca,  had  perished  by  that  terrible 
scourge  the  small-pox,  which  was  introduced  from  the  old 
country  by  one  of  Narvaez's  ships,  and  which  spread  over 
all  Mexico,  carrying  off  thousands  of  the  natives.  The 
new  emperor  Guatimoziu,  a  brave  and  noble  youth,  was 
nephew  and  successor  to  Montezuma.  1'he  beauty  and 
gallant  bearing  of  this  prince  excited  the  admiration  of 
all  beholders;  while  his  intelligence  and  valor,  combined 
with  the  hatred  which  he  bore  towards  the  whites,  made 
him  an  enemy  to  be  dreaded,  lie  had  devoted  his  whole 
attention,  since  his  accession,  to  fortifying  and  defending 
Ms  capital.  The  unserviceable  inhabitants  were  sent  into 
the  country,  while  warriors  from  all  sides  were  called  to 
rally  round  the  Aztec  banner  within  the  city. 

The  remainder  of  the  winter  and  the  early  months  of 
spring  were  occupied  by  the  Spaniards  in  sallies  against 
neighboring  towns  and  districts;  the  reduction  of  the  dis- 
alfected;  the  conciliation  of  those  inclined  to  cooperate 
wdtli  the  besiegers ;  and,  above  all,  the  completion  and  trans- 
portation of  the  vessels.  AVe  must  pass  over  the  skir- 
mishes and  battles  which  occurred  during  this  period.  It 
would  be  little  more  than  a  repetition  of  scenes  of  cruelty, 
horror,  and  bloodshed.  The  spirit  of  the-  Aztecs  was 
unsubdued,  and  their  new  emperor  haughtily  refused  to 
listen  to  any  terms  of  treaty,  although  Cortez  commissioned 
sundry  prisoners  of  rank  to  endeavor  to  move  him.  Suc- 
cess in  occupying  many  strong  and  populous  towns,  together 
with  the  arrival  of  fresh  recruits,  served  to  encourage  the 
Spaniards  in  the  hopes  of  fmal  triumph.  Thousands  of 
natives  were  employed  in  digging  a  canal  by  which  the 


■'1:^ 


ABORIGINES  OF  MEXICO. 


99 


little  fleet  should  be  launched.  The  beams  and  planks  of 
the  vessels  ready  to  be  joined,  witli  all  the  paraphernalia 
of  nautical  outfit,  were  carried  in  state  by  an  immense  con- 
course of  Tlascalans,  charged  with  the  burthen,  or  acting 
as  a  guard  of  protection.  Diaz  says  that  no  less  than 
eight  thousand  men  served  in  each  of  these  capacities, 
while  two  thousand  more  followed  with  provisions.  About 
the  last  of  April  (1521)  the  thirteen  brigantines,  fitted  for 
service,  were  launched  into  the  canal. 

The  addition  of  an  armed  flotilla,  which,  urged  by  wind 
and  oars,  could  bear  doAvn  upon  and  scatter  the  frail  canoes 
of  the  natives,  proved  of  incalculable  advantage.  The 
size  of  the  vessels,  the  thunder  of  their  cannons,  their 
speed,  and  the  skill  with  which  they  were  managed  and 
controlled,  must  have  filled  the  Mexicans  with  amazement. 

Near  the  end  of  May  a  regular  system  of  siege  was  en- 
tered upon,  by  the  occupation  of  the  three  great  approaches 
to  the  city.  The  inhabitants  were  unwearied  in  their 
attacks,  and  a  degree  of  vigilance  and  courage  on  the  part 
of  the  Spaniards,  scarce  equalled  in  any  age  or  country, 
only  preserved  them  from  utter  destruction.  "  For  ninety- 
three  days  together,"  says  Diaz,  "we  were  employed  in  the 
siege  of  this  great  and  strong  city,  and  every  day  and 
every  night  we  were  engaged  with  the  enemy. — Were  I 
to  extend  my  narrative  to  every  action  which  took  place, 
it  would  be  almost  endless,  and  my  history  would  resem- 
ble that  of  Amadis  and  the  other  books  of  chivalry." 

Every  expedient,  of  driving  sunken  palisades  to  entan- 
gle the  vessels ;  of  pit-flills  for  the  cavalry;  and  of  cutting 
gaps  in  the  causeys,  was  resorted  to  by  the  besieged,  and 
persevered  in  with  a  determination  and  obstinacy  only 
rivalled  by  thu  stern  temper  of  the  obdurate  invaders. 

There  was  necessarily  great  suffering  on  both  sides, 
exclusive  of  the  horrors  of  actual  warfare,  from  the  scar- 
city of  provision.      Maize  was  the  principal  resort;   but 


• 


t  •■  III 

.  mmm 


'  h.-.-'"i-'i'>    %■ 


V     I-     '.'.     5: 


'Jl.     'i-T 


■'  ■■•■■<<i    f/M 


•  1 1 

*V  1 

Ma 


100 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


the  hordes  of  Indian  allies  sustained  existence  by  a  more 
foul  repast,  feeding  upon  the  btxlies  that  were  every  where 
scattered  over  the  causeys,  or  floating  in  the  lake — gliastly 
memorials  of  each  day's  slaughter.  Knowing  the  iiisulli- 
cicncy  of  their  own  supplies,  the  Spaniards  dared  not  for- 
bid this  practice. 

Cortez  at  last  determined  upon  an  assault  from  three 
different  quarters,  with  his  whole  force.  Fierce  battles 
had  already  been  fought  within  the  city  walls;  the  great 
Tcocalli  had  been  a  second  time  carried  by  storm,  and  its 
ofRciating  priests  thrown  from  its  summit;  the  royal 
palace,  with  its  adjoining  buildings,  and  the  old  fortress 
where  the  Spaniards  had  formerly  quartered,  had  been 
destroyed;  but  no  general  assault  had  been  made.  After 
some  discussion,  in  which  the  hazard  of  risking  so  much 
upon  a  single  onslaught  was  fully  discussed,  the  general 
determined  to  undertake  it,  and  issued  his  orders  for  a 
simultaneous  advance — the  march  over  the  causevs  to  be 
protected  by  the  cooperation  of  the  brlgantines. 

The  three  divisions  under  Cortex,  Alvarado,  and  San- 
doval, were  put  in  motion  on  the  ensuing  morning.  Or- 
ders were  given  that  each  party  should  secure  a  safe 
retreat  by  thoroughl}^  filling  up  all  ga])s  in  the  causeys  as 
they  made  their  way  towards  the  heart  of  the  city.  Neglect 
of  Ihis  prudent  arrangement  proved  most  disastrous.  An 
advanced  force,  under  Alderete,  encouraged  by  the  little 
show  of  resistance,  pressed  on  nearly  to  the  great  square, 
leaving  behind  them  a  breach  in  the  causey,  (tli rough 
which  the  water  from  the  canal  on  either  side  was  flowing 
to  a  depth  of  two  fathoms)  with  very  slight  and  ineflicient 
means  for  recrossing.  As  Cortcz  came  up  to  this  spot,  he 
bega.n  to  suspect  that  his  men  were  entrapped;  he  saw 
that  the  causey  had  been  narrowed,  and  at  once  perceived 
the  terrible  confusion  that  must  ensue,  in  case  of  precipi- 
tate retreat.     While  endeavoring  to  atone  for  this  careless- 


I,    .^.f 


If^' 


ii  ;•  ;.;*■ 


AROUIttTXES  OF  MKXICO. 


101 


ncfJS  by  filling  tlic  dike,  Corto/i  and  his  followers  hoard 
the  blast  of  ihc  horn  of  the  Aztec  cn-iperor,  Guatitnozin, 
followed  by  a  deafening  yell  from  his  enraged  warrior^!, 
and  shortly  after,  Alderetc's  party  were  seen  crowding  the 
causey  in  their  flight  from  an  overwhelming  mass  of  the 
natives.  At  the  gap  a  scene  of  terrible  slaughter  ensued. 
Afcn  and.  horses,  floundering  in  the  deep  mud  to  which 
the  way  was  reduced;  thrust  into  the  water  by  the  pres- 
sure of  their  own  numbers,  and  seized  by  the  enemy, 
whose  canoes  filled  the  canals,  presented  a  miserable  scene 
of  hopeless  disorder.  Cortez  himself  was  nearly  borne 
away  eajitive,  in  his  endeavors  to  rescue  the  drowning 
sufferers  from  the  dike.  Six  stout  warriors  laid  hold  of 
him,  and  would  have  secured  him  as  a  notable  offering 
to  their  idols,  but  for  the  self-sacrificing  devotion  of  his 
officers  and  men.  His  whole  surviving  part^^  were  obliged 
to  retreat,  making  their  way  back  to  the  camp  under  the 
protecting  fire  of  the  brigantines. 

The  division  under  Alvarado  was  also  driven  from  the 
city,  after  having  made  some  hopeful  advance,  driving  in 
their  first  opponents.  The  second  body  of  n  itives  wh  ^ 
stoi)})cd  their  progress,  tin:  a  down  five  Spanish  heads, 
saying  that  they  were  those  of  Cortez  and  his  officers.  In 
the  retreat  the  great  drum  was  heard  sounding  from  the 
summit  of  the  principal  teocalli:  "Its  mournful  noise  was 
such  as  may  be  imagined  the  music  of  the  infernal  gods, 
and  it  might  be  heard  at  the  distance  of  almost  three 
leagues."  Diaz,  who  gives  this  dcscripvion,  says  that  the 
enemy  were  then  sacriffcing  ten  of  the  Spaniards'  hearts 
to  their  gods.  This  was  just  before  thf  blast  of  the  royal 
horn — a  sitrnal  which  roused  the  AztecS  to  an  indescriba 
ble  pitch  of  fury  and  courage. 

Sandoval  fared  little  better  than  the  rest,  and  the  Span- 
ish army,  completely  foiled,  returned  to  the  several  en- 
campments, frightfully  reduced  in  numbers,  deprived  of 


'::.'  4^.  ;:,'•-. 'h\ 


!■■    ■■■■•  '^    !--^' -^M 

■':]'    ;•    'i     ...  ■   rB!i>Jit#  ■■***"' 

'■;         ,■■'-!:   ■.■;  '*!^kW#i^ 

■'      .  .,  .      J.        (•«".«?,-   iM    "fa 


*•■:•■:■;: 


'    '.i       * j   • 


smmn 


102 


INDIAN   llACES  OF  AMEUICA. 


manv  of  their  invaluable  horses,  and,  above  all,  dispirited 
by  the  thought  that  sixty  or  more  of  tlicir  bi'cthreii  were 
alive  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  destined  victims  at  tlieir 
infernal  orgies. 

As  night  approaehed,  the  boonung  of  the  gi'eat  di'um 
on  the  tem})le  aroused  the  attention  of  tlie  Sj)aniards,  and, 
looking  towards  the  city,  they  could  distinctly  ])er('cive 
several  of  their  unfortunate  companions  led  up  for  sacri- 
fice, decked  out  in  gaudy  plumes  and  cc^ronals.  A  strong 
light  thrown  by  the  fires  on  the  ])latform  u})on  their  white 
and  naked  bodies  made  the  sickening  sight  too  palpably 
distinct,  while  the  shrieks  of  the  victims  rose  above  even 
the  rude  din  of  barbarous  music  and  exultant  shouts. 
The  cen^mony  was  followed  by  a  fui'ious  attack  upon  the 
Spanish  camps. 

Not  even  scones  like  this  could  shake  the  indomitable 
resolution  of  these  men  of  iron.  They  continued  to 
occupy  the  three  causeys  by  which  alone  the  city  could 
be  a})proached,  except  in  boats,  and  using  every  endeavor 
to  cut  olf  supplies  of  provisions,  made  a  steady  and  en- 
trenched advance  upon  the  capital.  For  ten  successive 
nights  they  witnessed  the  butchery  of  the  Spanish  prison- 
ers upon  the  green  stone  of  sacrifice,  without  the  power 
to  render  them  the  least  assistance.  As  their  hearts  were 
torn  out  and  burned  before  the  idol,  tlie  priests  drew  the 
mangled  remains  down  the  stone  steps. — Some  of  tlic  In- 
dians, mid  their  taunts  and  revilings,  tlverred  that  the 
Spanish  flesh  was  "too  bitter  to  be  eaten;  and  truly, 
it  seems  that  such  a  miracle  was  wrought."  "Let  tlie 
reader  think,"  says  the  old  chronicler,  Diaz,  "what  were 
our  sensations  on  this  occasion.  Oh  heavenly  God!  said 
we  to  ourselves,  do  not  sulfer  us  to  be  sacrificed  by  these 
wretches." 

To  add  to  the  S]:)aniards'  distress,  the  great  body  of  tiieir 
Indian  allies  deserted  them  at  this  crisis.     They  had  be- 


•--  .l-'"» 


m§^-''- 


I 


u 


A150III0IXES  OK  MKXICO. 


103 


gun  to  ]>^o  tlioir  eoufidi'iico  in  llio  iiivin('i])ilitj  of  tlio 
wliites;  and  the  predictiDii  of  llio  Mexican  j)i-iests,  tliat 
witliiii  eight  (lays  the  besiegers  slioiiM  be  destroyed,  bad 
its  cfTcct  upon  tiicir  sujierstitiinis  minds.  Lxtllxocldtl,  tlie 
Tezcucan  chief,  wlio  had  been  raised  by  CovUrA  to  llic 
govcrnincnt  of  the  city  on  its  abdication  by  liis  eneniies, 
remained  faitlifub 

When  the  eight  days  were  passed,  tliese  fickle  allies  began 
to  return,  with  fresli  coniidenct^  to  the  assistance  of  the 
besiegers.  Witli  deterniined  energy  the  ,  paniards  forced 
their  passage,  foot  by  foot,  towards  tlie  centre  of  the  cap- 
ital. Securing  their  way  behind  them,  and  (hnnolishing 
the  buildings  as  they  2)rocecded,  they  rnore  tlian  re-covered 
from  their  grand  reverse.  The  miserable  inhabitants  were 
reduced  to  the  utmost  extremity  by  famin(>,  ('rowded 
together  in  the  quarter  of  the  city  to  which  they  were 
driven,  they  perished  by  thousands,  but  nothing  seemed 
to  tame  their  fierce  and  unyielding  spirit.  Guatiniozin 
refnsed  to  listen  to  terms,  although  Cortez  repeatedly  sent 
embassies  of  prisoners,  proj)osing  a  peaceable  cession  of 
the  place.  Stores  and  men  were  added  to  the  Spanish 
resources,  by  the  arrival  at  Villa  llica  of  a  vessel  belong- 
ing to  a  fleet  fitted  out  by  De  Aillon,  which  was  mostly 
destroyed  on  the  reefs  of  Florida. 

After  the  three  divisions  of  the  army  had  worked  their 
way  completely  through  the  city,  and  Gruatimozin  and  his 
peo})le  were  confined  in  a  limited  district  on  the  lake,  the 
fury  of  their  sallies  seemed  undiminished.  When  they 
^vel•o  finally  uiial)le  longer  to  keep  their  monarch  in  safety, 
a  last  attempt  was  maile  to  effect  an  escape  ia  the  ])ira- 
guas  or  large  canoes. 

The  brigantines  were  immediately  dispatched  to  inter 
cept  and  destroy  the  flotilla  which  now  spotted  the  lake 
The  natives  fought  desperately,  as  usual,  attacking  the 
armed  vessels  of  the  Spaniards,  regardless  of  the  destruo- 


3.  J 


^J^ 

Twm:  ;4  J 

''•      >     1   1 

i'"'"'4^i 

!     '  ^i  -■.  '%i 

r 

, '. 

''iv%^% 

■. 

-ft  ,  i 

I.  .J 

1 ',  ■ 

•1 

ferfAHfeHMtflii 

■•^■■il 

p:|l|p 

-rT] 


104 


INDIAN  HACKS   OF  AMKIUCA. 


tion  oci'nsioiicil  by  tLo  {irtillcry.  Siuuloval,  \vh(j  com- 
nuuuloil  in  tliis  s(>rvi(;o,  (Icspatclu'd  (Jarciu  UDlmiin,  with 
tlio  swiftest  of  tlio  l)ri;:;:iiiliiK;s,  to  the  spot  when'  tlu;  (Mil- 
poror  would  probably  steer,  witli  orders  to  take  him  pris- 
oner idivo,  if  possibU\ 

^rhc  attempt  was  "siKicessfiil,  and  the  royal  bar^^e,  was 
taken,  eontaining  Guatiuiozin,  his  l)eautiful  wife,  (a  daii.^'li- 
ter  or  niece  of  Afontezuma)  and  his  chief  foUowH'i's.  lU'ing 
brought  before  Cortez,  the  king  addressed  his  eoiupieror 
in  terms  of  proud  but  despjiiring  submission,  bidding  him 
draw  his  jx)inard,  anil  put  an  end  to  the  life  of  a  mon- 
arch who  had  sti'iven  to  tlie  last  for  his  ]>eople,  but  in 
vain.  Cortez  endeavored  to  reassure  him  by  caresses  luid 
kind  wordr.,  ordei'ing  the  queen  and  attendants  to  be 
treated  with  courtesy  and  res])ect. 

While  this  scene  Avas  enacting,  and  during  tlie  previous 
day,  a  work  of  such  fearful  carnage  had  been  going  on 
in  the  Mexican  quarters  as  no  pen  can  describe.  No 
one  can  presume  to  eimmcratc  those  who  fell.  Diaz 
reports  as  follows:  "  What  I  am  going  to  mention  is  truth, 
and  1  swear  and  say  amen  to  it.  I  have  read  oi'  the  de- 
struction of  Jerusalem,  but  I  cannot  conceive  that  the 
mortality  there  exceeded  this  of  Mexico;  for  all  the  peo- 
ple from  the  distant  provinces  which  belonged  to  this 
empire,  had  concentrated  themselves  here,  where  they 
mostly  died.  Q'he  streets,  the  squares,  the  houses,  and 
the  courts  of  tlie  'J'altelulco,  (Avhere  tlie  Mexicans  were 
last  entrenched)  were  covered  with  dead  bodies;  we  could 
nat  step  without  ti'cading  on  them;  the  lake  and  canals 
were  filled  with  them,  and  the  stench  was  intolerable." 

It  is  due  to  the  Spanish  general  to  say  that  he  endeav- 
ored repeatedly  to  stay  this  butchery,  but  his  Indian  allies 
could  not  be  restrained,  now  that  an  ojiportunity  was  pi'e- 
Kented  for  safely  wreaking  their  vengeance  on  their  her- 
editary foes. 


% 


n 

l! 


AHOIUOINES  OF  MKXICO. 


105 


The  Ciiptnroi  of  Ciiiatinio/.in,  which  ronsnmniutcd  Iho 
conqticst  <){'  the  city,  took  j)liic(!  on  (lh>  thii'tccntli  of  Au- 
gust, ir»2l.  All  co'.itcntioii  immcdiiitcly  conscd  \vlu;ii  this 
W!is  iiccoiiiplishcd.  Diaz,  says:  "  \Vc.  felt  like  so  many 
men  just  escaped  from  a  stec[)le  where  all  the  Ih'Us  were 
rin<.';ing  about  our  cars. — This  was  owint,^  to  the  continual 
noise  of  ihe  enemy  for  ninety-tlire(>  days — Shouting,  call- 
ing, whistling,  as  sigiuils  to  attack  us,  kc- — Then,  fioiii 
the  temples  and  adoratories  of  iheii-  accursed  idols,  tho 
tiinlials  and  horns,  and  the  mouiMiful  sound  of  tiieir  great 
drum,  and  other  dismal  noises  were  incessantly  assailing 
our  ears,  so  that  day  or  niglit  we  could  hai'dly  hear  each 
other  speak." 

Ijy  (Uiatimo/in's  re([uest,  the  city  was  cleared  o?  its 
inhabitants,  that  it  might  be  ellectually  i)uri(ied.  Tho 
causeys  were  crowded  for  three  successive  days  and  nights 
witli  a  horde  of  such  miseral)le,  diseasiMl,  and  heli)less 
wretches,  creei)ing  slowly  away  from  their  former  })n)ud 
capital,  "that  it  was  misery  to  behold  them." 

The  booty  discoveivd  by  the  eonqueroi'S  in  no  d(\gi'ee 
equalled  their  anticipations.  It  was  supposed  that  great 
quantities  of  gold  had  been  thrown  into  the  lake,  and 
divers  were  em])loyed  in  the  search  for  it,  but  with  little 
clTect.  The  unfortunate  Guatimozin,  and  the  lord  of  the 
city  of  Tacuba  were  put  to  the  tortuiv,  with  the  assent  of 
Coi'tez,  to  extort  from  them  infoi'nfhtion  as  to  the  ])laces 
Avhere  they  had  concealed  their  ti'easurcs.  Corte/  objected 
to  this  piece  of  barbarity,  but  permitted  it  that  the  suspi- 
cion might  not  rest  upon  him  of  having,  by  connivance, 
appropriated  the  plunder  to  his  (jwn  use. 

'^riio  young  monarch,  in  this  extrenuty,  preserved  his 
dignity  and  composure,  enduring  tho  cruelties  of  his  tor- 
mentors with  Indian  fortitude.  When  the  barbarous  in- 
flictions of  the  Si)aniards  di-ew  forth  groans  or  com})laint3 
from  his  companion  in  sull'ering,  Guatlmozin  silenced  him 


■',  :-j'» 


■';  iM, 


^:t 


^i 


■•■'.  Mi 


r-— 


1 1 


100 


INDIAN   JUCKS  OF  AMfc:iaCA. 


tvilli  tlic  ciiliii  iiitt'iTo;^'!iliv(',  "Tliiiik'st  tlioii,  tlini,  lli:if  1 
ain  tiiUiii^  my  ])leasiirc  in  my  biilli?''  Notliiii^^'  was  ^aiiu'd 
by  the  iiilmmnu  traiisautioii,  iiltli()n,iili  tlu'  rmprinr  lold 
of  a  ]>l;u!ti  ill  the  lake  wluTO  ^oM  had  been  tlii'owii,  and 
the  lord  oi' I'aeiiba  coiiCessed  that  he  had  stores  at  a  house 
in  the  eouiitry.  ^J'hese  deelarations  were  probably  made 
merely  for  the  purpose  of  eseapiiig  })resent  unguish. 


CIIArTKll   VII. 

R£  .DI.N'U    ok    TIIK    city — KXTKNSIO.M    (IK    Sr/VMSII    TOWKR— 

'K    IMAKCII  TO    jmNDUKAS KXKCUTION  OF    (ilJATIMOZlN 

DONNA    MAHLNA — 3IOUKI[.\    MEXICO. 

"Now  tlu'V  :ire  ifonu — 'utiw  ;i8  tiiv  soltiiiif  blaze 
Goes  down  tlio  west,  while  iiii^iit  is  pix'ssiiif^  on, 
And  uitli  tlicni  tlic  old  {■.[]{'  of  lii'ttcr  diiys, 
And  trojihirs  ot"  ivnii'MilKTcd  power  (ire  j^nme." 

JhlVANT. 

Within  a  few  years  after  tlie  seenes  we  have  Just  de- 
scribed, the  royal  city  of  the  A/tec;  moiiarelis  rose  from 
its  ruins  with  I'ouewed  splendor;  but  midci"  what  dinri'eiit 
cireumstanees  from  those  wliieli  attended  its  lirst  estaliish- 
ment!  The  proiid-s})ii'Jted  nation,  rediieed  to  degrading 
servilude,  was  com})elled  to  build  and  plant  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  vietorious  Spaniards,  whose  power  (hiily  in- 
creased with  the  multitudes  floeking  fi'om  the  Old  World  to 
seek  wealth  or  novelty  in  the  sunny  climes  of  New  Spain. 

The  modern  city  of  AFcxieo  presents  a  very  difl'ercnt 
aspect  fi'om  that  of  the  ancient  capital.  By  the  drainage 
of  the  lake,  it  no  longer  stands  upon  an  island;  and  tlie 
causeys,  which  led  to  it,  still  used  as  }>ublic  roads,  are  said 
to  be  scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  other  highways. 


I 


AllOKIOlNKrf  OF  MKXU'O. 


107 


All  i\xc  Sfin'onndinf^  tribes  who  d'nl  not  yuAA  iniplicitly  to 
tho  (lictaU'H  of  the  "ijrncriil,  wlicii  the  ^rcut  city  was  ilo- 
Htroycd,  wci'o  j)i\)in|)tl_y  (^uelltHl  jiiid  huniblt'd.  Conlirmcd 
ill  his  iiuthority  by  royal  coiiiiiiissiiMi-— for  the  rlVorts  of 
his  ciu'inies  could  avail  little  a;^aiiist  the  universal  accla- 
nialioii  which  followed  the  lunvs  of  his  successes  -('ortez 
continued  to  increase  the  extent  of  Spanish  dominion,  and 
still  more  ellectually  to  crush  all  spirit  of  opposition  among 
the  miserable  Mexicans.  We  cannot  detail  the  tfirible 
examples  of  vengeance  which  followed  any  attiMiipt  to 
throw  off  the  gallinj^  yoke.  With  such  coadjutors  as 
Alvarado,  Sandoval,  and  other  of  his  veteran  oHicers, 
resistance  to  his  suj)rcmacy  proved  worse  than  vain.  'J'ho 
stftke  or  the  lialtcr  was  the  ready  instrument  by  which  tho 
crime  of  rebellion  was  ])unishcd. 

In  October  of  152-i,  Cortez,  with  a  small  force  of  Span- 
iards, and  a  large  body  of  natives,  undertook  a  long  and 
difliculi  mai'ch  to  Honduras.  His  ])urpose  was  to  chastise 
the  n^bellious  de  Olid,  who  had  thrown  oil'  his  general's 
authority.  vMthough  the  details  of  the  dangei's,  hard- 
ships, and  adventures  in  this  expedition  arc  minute  and. 
interesting,  we  only  refer  to  it  as  giving  occasion  for  tho 
destruction  of  the  last  Aztec  monarch.  Continually  ap- 
prehensive of  a  new  revolt,  Cortez  had,  ever  since  the 
conquest,  Ivcpt  his  royal  prisoner  a  close  attendant  on  his 
person.  Together  with  his  faithful  vassal,  the  lord  of 
'J'acuba,  Guatiinozin  was  taken  to  accompany  the  ji-'uty 
to  Honduras.  At  Gucyacala,  or  Aculan,  a  conspiracy  of 
th(!  Mexicans  in  the  train  to  fall  upon  and  massacre  the 
Spaniards,  was  reported  to  the  general,  and  attributed  to 
the  influence  of  these  two  nobles.  All  participation  in 
this  plot  was  denied  by  the  captives,  but  slight  suspicion 
was  suflicient  to  furnish  an  excuse  to  the  unscrupulcus 
Spaniard  for  ridding  himself  of  a  constant  source  of  anxietv. 

Guatiniozin  and  the  Tacuban  governor  w'cre  both  hanged 


1 


';:  y^:i 


n 


^1 


ui>- 


9^'.'^;'"  Mm 


* '. '"  • 


1 1< 


Mi 


(T"' 


108 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


II 


by  his  orders.  Diaz  affirms  tliat  there  was  but  one  opin- 
ion [ii.-oiigtho  company,  that  this  was  "a  most  unjust  and 
cruel  sentence."  lie  proceeds  to  say  that  Cortez  suflered 
nuu'h  in  his  conscience  for  this  act — "lie  was  so  distracted 
by  these  thouglits  that  he  could  not  rest  in  his  bed  at 
night,  and,  getting  up  in  the  dark  to  walk  about,  as  a  re- 
lief from  his  anxieties,  he  went  into  a  large  a])artment 
where  some  of  the  idols  were  worshipped.  Here  he  missed 
his  way,  and  fell  from  the  height  of  twelve  feet,  to  the 
ground,  receiving  a  desperate  wound  and  contusions  in 
his  head.  This  circumstance  ho  tried  to  conceid,  keeping 
his  suifcrings  to  himself,  and  getting  his  hurts  cured  as 
well  as  he  could." 

An  interesting  incident  occurred  on  this  march  relative 
to  the  history  of  the  faithful  interpreter  Donna  Marina. 
Tlie  course  taken  led  the  army  through  her  native  prov- 
ince, and  it  so  chanced  that,  at  a  great  conclave  of  cliicfs 
and  principal  inhabitants  to  hold  conference  with  the  Span- 
iards, her  mother  and  brother  were  present.  The  unna- 
tural parent,  who  had  so  long  before  sold  her  daughter  as 
a  slave,  thought  the  hour  of  retribution  was  at  hand,  but 
Marina  encouraged  and  caressed  her,  making  her  oll'erings 
of  jewels  and  other  attractive  trifles.  She  avowed  her 
attachment  to  the  Spaniards  and  their  religion,  expressing 
great  pride  aiul  satisfaction  in  the  son  and  the  husband, 
for  both  of  whom  she  stood  indebted  to  her  noble  master 
and  friend. 

We  must  now  take  leave  of  the  historical  detail  of  Mex- 
ican clu'onicles,  with  a  few  remarks  upon  the  condition  of 
the  Indians  subsequent  to  the  conquest,  the  changes  since 
wrought  by  lapse  of  time,  the  introduction  of  a  foreign 
population,  and  the  mixture  of  races. 

For  a  long  period  the  mass  of  the  natives  were  compel- 
led to  waste  their  lives  in  hopeless  toil  on  the  plantations, 
in  the  mines,  or  at  the  rising  cities  of  their  oppressors. 


rq 


AfiORIOIXKS  OP'  MEXICO. 


109 


Cortcz  felt  and  expressed  some  compunctious  visitinL;,s  of 
conscience  at  tlie  adoption  of  this  general  system  of  slavery, 
bat  fell  in  with  it  as  being  essential  to  the  maintainanco 
of  Spanisli  power  and  tlie  speedy  growtli  of  the  colonics. 
He  saw  that  the  mental  capacity  of  the  people  was  far 
superior  to  that  of  the  other  North  American  aborigines, 
and  felt  some  natural  regret  that  their  national  pride  should 
be  entirely  humbled,  and  their  opportunities  for  civilization 
and  improvement  be  so  entirely  cut  off.  A  better  state 
of  things  was  gradually  brought  about,  and  the  inhabit- 
ants of  pure  native  descent  arc  now  spoken  of  as  a  cheer- 
ful, courteous  race,  busying  themselves  in  the  simpler  arts 
of  manufacture,  cultivating  their  fields,  and  enjojdiig  the 
equable  freedom  from  anxiety,  so  congenial  to  the  mild 
and  delicious  climate  of  their  country. 

Pnlque,  the  intoxicating  drink  of  the  ^Mexicans,  is  pro- 
ductive of  the  evil  effects  that  such  beverages  always  pro- 
duce among  the  Indians  of  America;  and,  in  the  large 
cities,  a  disgusting  horde  of  lazaroni  disfigures  the  public 
squares.  In  the  city  of  Mexico,  these  beggars  are  espe- 
cially numerous. 

The  half-breeds,  who  form  at  the  present  day  so  exten- 
sive a  portion  of  the  population,  present  every  variety  of 
social  position.  Some  of  Montezuma's  descendants  mar- 
ried into  noble  families  of  Spain,  and  their  posterity  ar- 
rived at  great  wealth  and  dignity.  The  wife  of  Guatimozin, 
after  his  execution,  married  successively  no  less  than  three 
Castilians  of  honorable  family.  She  is  every  where  spoken 
of  as  a  woman  of  charming  appearance  and  attractive 
manners.  A  descendant  of  the  former  emperor  of  the 
Aztecs  held  the  office  of  Spanish  viceroy  in  Mexico  as  late 
OS  the  close  of  tlie  seventeentli  century. 


>  .     i*-      *t"  '""'''  'W 

'     1        f'    If    'I 


}...'>b 


il 


THE  FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


EARLY  EXPEPITION'S  OF  SPANISH  ADVENTURERS — PONCE  DE  LEOH 

L.  VALASQUHZ   DE  AYLI.ON PAMPHILO   DE  NARVAEZ FER- 
NANDO DE  SOTO niS  LANDING  AND  ESTAIJLISIIMENX 

AT   TAMPA STORY  OF  JOHN   ORTIZ,  A  SPANISH 

CAPTIVE    AMONG    THE    INDIANS. 

Yew  portions  of  the  Western  Continent  have  witnessed 
such  scenes  of  barbarous  warfare  between  the  natives  and 
European  adventurers,  or  between  subjects  of  contending 
nu Lions  at  the  East,  as  the  long  low  peninsula  which  lies 
at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  Atlantic  sea-coast  of  the 
United  States.  Its  whole  history  is  strangely  romantic, 
and  might  well  tempt  us  away  from  our  subject,  were  there 
room  to  chronicle  all  the  interesting  details  of  its  discov- 
ery, conquest  and  settlement. 

The  first  picture  presented  to  our  minds,  when  we  turn 
back  to  these  early  times,  is  of  Juan  Ponce  de  Leon,  gov- 
ernor of  Porto  Rico,  led  by  Indian  fables  in  1512  to  search 
amid  the  low  islands  of  the  coast  for  a  fountain  that  should 
bestoAV  perpetual  youth ;  landing  upon  the  green  and  flow- 
ery shores,  and  bestowing  upon  the  country  its  pleasing 
and  musical  appellation.  All  of  North  America,  to  the 
northward  and  eastward  of  Mexico,  went  by  the  name 
of  Florida,  before  English  settlements  were  made  upon 
the  coast.  Failing  in  his  first  search,  Leon  undertook  a 
second  expedition  into  the  unknown  world,  in  hopes  of 
finding  mines  of  the  precious  metals,  but  was  killed  in  a 
fi'dit  with  the  natives. 


.  '\  \ 


FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


HI 


,  I 


The  perfidious  Luke  Yalasqucz  do  Ayllon,  in  1518,  -vis- 
ited the  coast  to  the  northward  of  Florida,  to  procure  gold 
and  slaves.  The  kindly  natives,  whom  he  tempted  on 
board,  wci'c  shut  under  hatches,  and  conveyed  to  Cuba, 
lieturning  again  to  the  country,  he  and  his  party  were 
justly  punished  for  their  treachery,  nearly  all  of  them 
being  slain  by  the  inhabitants,  who,  mindful  of  former 
injuries,  rose  upon  them  unawares,  after  putting  them  off 
their  guard  b}^  demai^strations  of  friendship.  Those  who 
had  been  carried  into  servitude  mostly  perished,  some  by 
voluntary  starvation,  and  others  from  grief  and  despair. 

The  Indians  of  Florida  are  rej^resented  by  all  early  his- 
torians as  a  high-spirited  and  courageous  race,  showing 
considerable  skill  in  agriculture,  and  exhibiting  marks  of 
far  greater  civilization  than  those  of  the  Nortli.  It  seems 
not  improbable,  jadging  from  their  traditions,  appearance 
and  customs,  that  thc}^,  as  well  as  the  Natchez,  had  emi- 
grated from  Mexico,  perhaps  at  no  very  remote  period. 
They  resided  in  tOAvns  and  villages  of  considerable  extent, 
and  showed  a  degree  of  resolution  and  desperate  valor, 
in  defending  their  homes  against  the  murderous  Spaniards, 
which  has  seldom  been  equalled.  Unappalled  by  the  ter- 
rible execution  of  the  unknown  weapons  of  their  enemies, 
who,  mounted  upon  horses  (liitherto  unknown  in  the  coun- 
try) and  clad  in  defensive  armor,  presented  a  novel  and 
unaccountable  spectacle  to  their  wondering  eyes,  they  dis- 
jjutcd  the  invaded  territory  inch  by  inch. 

Like  most  of  their  red  brethren,  they  could  not  long 
brook  the  indignity  of  slavery;  the  proud  spirit  of  the 
Indian  can  never,  like  that  of  the  African,  be  so  humbled 
that  his  race  can  continue  and  multiply  in  servitude. 

The  old  Portuguese  narrator  of  De  Soto's  conquest, 
speaking  of  the  Indian  slaves  of  Cuba,  says  that  their 
custom  was  to  hang  themselves,  to  escape  the  toil  and 
degradation  of  working  the  mines     lie  tells  of  an  over- 


( I 


112 


INDIAN  IIACES  OF  AMERICA. 


■i 


i 


sccr  in  the  service  of  Vasco  Porcallio,  (afterwards  Dc  Soto's 
lieuteiiaut-geueral,)  who,  "knowing  the  Indians  under  liis 
charge  had  resolved  to  hang  themselves,  went  and  staid 
for  them  at  the  place  wliere  they  intended  to  put  this  dis- 
mal resolution  into  execution,  with  a  rope  in  his  hand:  he 
told  tlieni  they  must  not  imagine  that  any  of  their  designs 
were  hid  from  him,  and  that  he  was  come  to  hang  himself 
with  them,  that  he  might  torment  them  in  the  other  world 
an  hundred  times  moi'C  than  he  had  done  in  this,"  His 
expedient  liad  the  desired  effect  upon  their  superstitious 
and  creduhms  minds,  and,  giving  up  their  purpose,  they 
returned  submissively  to  their  tasks. 

Pamphilo  de  Narvaez,  in  April,  1528,  with  a  commission 
from  Charles  tlie  Fiftii  to  conquer  and  take  possession, 
landed  four  hundred  men  and  foit^  or  fifty  horses  at  ]']ast 
Florida.  Penetrating  the  wilderness,  they  crossed  the 
country  to  Aj^palache,  sometimes  experiencing  kind  treat- 
ment from  the  Indians,  at  other  times  in  dano-cr  from  their 
attacks.  Finding  no  gold,  and  but  little  provision  at  this 
town,  from  which  they  drove  out  the  inhab^'tants  on  their 
first  arrival,  the  Spaniards  shaped  their  course  to  tlic  south 
towards  Ante.  Tormented  by  hunger;  beset  hy  Jndden 
foes;  disheartened  by  tlic  terrible  dilHculties  which  beset 
their  path,  from  the  almost  impassable  natural  conforma- 
tion of  the  country ;  and  worn  out  by  incessant  exertion, 
Narvaez  and  his  men  reached  Ante  only  to  find  it  bui-ned 
and  deserted  by  its  inhabitants. 

Afany  of  the  party  having  already  perished,  the  rest, 
hopeless  of  making  further  progress  by  land,  set  to  work 
to  const.'uct  boats  in  which  th'  y  might  reach  a  i^ort  of 
safety.  With  singular  ingenuity  they  prepared  tools  from 
the  iron  of  their  accoutrements ;  and,  with  no  further  mate- 
rials than  were  furnished  by  the  productions  of  the  forest, 
and  the  manes,  tails,  and  skins  of  their  horses,  five  small 
boats  were  built.     They  embarked  and  set  sail,  but  nearly 


I 


I! 


FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


113 


all  perished,  either  by  famine  or  by  tlie  dangers  of  the  sc^.. 
Only  a  handful  of  the  number  Avere  ever  heaixl  from, 
among  whom  was  Alvar  Nuneji  Cabeza  de  Yaca.  With 
only  four  companions  he  kept  on  his  course  to  the  West, 
and,  after  years  of  peril,  hardship,  and  servitude,  reached 
the  Spanish  settlements  of  Mexico. 

The  next  Spanisli  expedition  to  Florida  was  of  far  more 
importance  and  interest  than  either  that  had  preceded  it. 
The  celebrated  Fernando  de  Soto,  after  acquiring  an 
immense  fortune  as  a  companion  of  Pizarro,  at  Peru,  was 
moved  by  the  restless  spirit  of  adventure  to  undertake  a 
more  complete  examination  of  the  New  World  opened  to 
Spanish  cupidity  and  curiosity. 

With  seven  ships  of  his  own  j^roviding,  and  accompa- 
nied by  from  six  hundred  to  one  thousand  warlike  and 
energetic  adventurers,  many  of  whom  were  of  nobl- .  rank, 
De  Soto  set  sail,  in  the  month  of  April,  1538.  Upwards 
of  a  year  was  spent,  mostly  upon  the  island  of  Cuba,  before 
the  fleet  set  sail  for  the  Florida  coast.  In  the  latter  part 
of  May,  1539,  the  vessels  came  to  anchor  off  the  bay  of 
Espiritu  Santo,  now  Tampa  Bay,  on  the  western  sea-board, 
and  a  large  division  of  soldiers,  both  horse  and  foot,  were 
landed.  The  Indians  had  taken  the  alarm,  and,  although 
the  smoke  of  their  fires  had  been  seen  from  ship-board  in 
various  directions,  all  had  fled  froni  the  district,  or  lay  con- 
cealed in  +he  thickets.  De  Soto  ajipears  to  have  been 
desirous  to  proceed  upon  ])eaceablc  terms  with  the  natives, 
but  hostilities  soon  fallowed.  Some  skirmishes  took  place 
near  the  point  of  landing,  and  the  Spaniards  speedily  pos- 
sessed themselves  of  the  nearest  village,  where  were  the 
head-quarters  of  the  cacique  Ucita  or  Iliriga.  Here  De 
Soto  established  himself  in  "the  lord's  house,"  which  Ava." 
built  upon  a  mound  by  the  sea-shore ;  while  the  soldiers 
used  the  materials  of  the  other  buildinors  in  constructinfl: 
barraclcs. 
8 


1 
ii 


l|lf  -r^. 


m 


'':'■■' .m  4 


m.rr. 


'     '{i 


114 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


,.'i 


I 


At  tlie  inland  cxtrcniity  of  the  town  stood  the  temple 
devoted  by  the  Indians  to  religious  observances.  Over  the 
entrance  of  this  building  was  the  wooden  figure  of  a  fowl, 
having  the  eyes  gilded — jjlaced  there  for  the  jnirpose  of 
ornament,  or  as  symbolic  of  the  tutehuy  deity  of  the  ])lace. 

Clearino's  were  noAV  made  around  the  village,  to  give  fi'ce 
scope  to  the  operations  of  the  cavalry,  and  parties  were 
s{;nt  out  to  explore  the  country,  and  to  make  prisoners 
Avho  should  serve  as  guides  or  hostages. 

■J'he  remembrance  of  horrible  outrages  committed  upon 
himself  and  his  people  by  Narvaez,  had  so  embittered  the 
old  chief  Hiriga  against  the  whites,  that  no  professions  of 
fiicndship  and  good  will  could  appease  his  hatred.  De 
Soto  released  prisoners  who  were  taken  by  his  scouting 
]>arties,  cliarging  them  with  in'csents  and  conciliatoiy  mcs- 
.^:iges  for  their  chief,  but  all  in  vain. 

In  tlie  tangled  forests  and  marshes  the  Indians  were 
found  to  be  no  contemptible  opponents.  They  were  de- 
scribed as  being  "so  dexterous  lierce  and  nimble  that  foot 
can  gain  no  advantage  upon  them."  Their  bows  and  arrows 
were  so  elective  that  coats  of  mail  did  not  prove  a  suffi- 
cient protection  against  their  force.  The  arrows  were 
headed,  as  usual,  with  stone,  or  with  fish-bones;  those 
which  Avcre  made  of  canes  or  reeds  })roduced  the  dead- 
liest effect. 

A  pany,  under  Gallegos,  scouring  the  country  a  few 
iniles  from  the  camp  attacked  a  small  body  of  Indians,  and 
])ut  them  to  flight;  but,  as  a  horseman  was  charging  with 
his  lance  at  one  of  the  number,  he  was  amazed  to  hear 
him  cry  out:  "Sirs,  I  am  a  Christian;  do  not  kill  me,  no:^ 
these  poor  men,  who  have  given  me  my  life." 

Naked,  sun-burned,  and  painted,  this  man  was  scarce 
distinguishable  from  his  wild  associates.  His  name  was 
John  Ortiz,  and  he  had  lived  with  the  Indians  twelve 
years,  being  one  of  the  few  followers  of  Narvaez  wlio 


i  I 


!  I 
I  ' 

I  : 


li 


■:-—i} 


•■.»-f^«T~^ 


FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


115 


esenped  destruction.     Since  the  dis^.strons  failure  of  tlmt 
OX] (edition  ho  had  made  his  way  to  Cuba  in  a  small  boat, 
and  liad  returned  again  to  Florida  in  a  small  vessel  sent 
in  quest  of  the  lost  party.     The  Indians  enticed  a  few  of 
tlie  crew  on  shore,  and  made  them  prisoners,     Ortiz  was 
among  the  number,  and  was  the  only  one  who  escaped 
innncdiate  death.     After  amusing  themselves  by  various 
expedients  to  terrify  and  torment  their  captive,  the  sav- 
ages, by  the  command  of  their  chief,  lliriga,  bound  him  to 
four  stakes,  and  kindled  a  fire  beneath  him.     He  was  pre- 
served, even  in  this  extremity,  by  the  compassionate  entrea- 
ties and  persuasions  of  a  daughter  of  the  cacique.     Ilis 
barns  having  been  healed,  ho  was  deputed  to  keep  watch 
over  the  temple  where  the  bodies  of  the  dead  were  depos- 
ited, to  defend  them  from  attacks  of  wolves.    His  vigilance 
and  resolution,  in  dispatching  a  wolf,  panther,  or  "Lyon," 
(according  to  one  account)  which  had  seized  the  body  of  a 
child  of  one  of  the  principal  chiefs,  aroused  a  kindly  feel- 
ing towards  him,  and  he  was  well  used  for  three  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  lliriga,  having  been  worsted  in 
fight  Avitli  Moscoso,  a  hostile  chief  whose  dwelling  was  at 
a  distance  of  two  days'  journey,  thought  it  necessary  or 
expedient  to  make  a  sacrifice  of  his  Christian  subject  to 
the  devil.     "Seeing,"  says  our  Po.tuguese  historian,  "the 
Devil  holds  these  people  in  deplorable  bondage,  they  are 
accustomed  to  offer  to  him  the  life  and  bloud  even  of  their 
subjects,  or  of  any  body  else  that  falls  into  their  hands." 
Forewarned  of  this  danger  by  his  former  benefactress, 
Ortiz  fled  in  the  night  towards  the  country  of  Moscoso. 
Upon  first  meeting  with  the  subjects  of  this  chief,  he  was 
in  gTcat  danger  from  the  want  of  an  interpreter  to  explain 
whence  he  came,  and  what  was  his  errand;  but,  at  last, 
finding  an  Indian  who  understood  the  language  of  the 
people  with  whom  he  had  lived,  he  quieted  the  suspicions 
of  his  hosts,  and  remained  with  them  in  friendship  no  less 


WM:: 


4 


r." 


il 


i",  ■■■•3.1 


1.1  :..^■:^.  i;i"' 


i   ■■r       ■.'■■I       'i::\iH'.:'^i       '}> 


■t. 


•'■■'  Ai>r, 


'■•■J, 


i 


116 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


than  nino  years.  Moscoso,  hearing  of  the  arrival  of  Pe 
Soto,  generously  furnished  his  cai)tivc  with  an  escort,  and 
gave  him  free  permission  to  return  to  his  countrymen,  in 
accordance  with  a  promise  made  when  Orti;c  first  c:V)\c.  to 
his  territory. 

The  long-lost  Spaniard  was  joyfully  received,  with  his 
companions,  at  De  Soto's  camp;  his  services  as  guide  being 
considered  invaluable.  In  answer  to  the  first  ijiquiiy, 
however,  where  gold  was  to  be  sought,  he  could  give  no 
satisfactory  information. 

The  cacique  Moscoso  being  sent  for,  soon  presented  him- 
self at  the  Spanish  encampment,  and  after  spending  some 
days  in  familiar  intercourse  with  the  wonderful  strangers, 
departed,  exulting  in  the  possession  of  a  shirt  and  other 
tokens  of  royal  munificence. 


CHAPTER  II. 

PROGKESS  NORTHWARD — CONTESTS  WITH  THE  NATIVES VITACHUCO 

EXPEDITION  TO  CUTIFACHIQUI — DEPARTURE  FOR  THE  WEST. 

"*         *         *         *         The  long  bare  arms 
Are  heaved  aloft,  bows  twang  and  arrows  stream; 
Each  makes  a  tree  his  shield,  and  every  tree 
Sends  forth  its  arrow.     Fierce  the  fight  and  short 
As  is  the  w'.irlwind." — Bryant. 

T)e  Soto  now  concluded  to  send  his  vessels  back  to  Cuba, 
and  leaving  a  strong  guard  in  Iliriga's  country,  to  proceed 
northward.  Favorable  accounts  were  brought  by  his  emis- 
saries from  the  adjoining  district  of  Paracoxi,  and  delud- 
ing hopes  of  procuring  gold  invited  to  still  more  distant 
exploration  in  Caie.  Vasco  Porcalho,  wearied  and  dis- 
gusted with  hopeless  and  desultory  skirmishing  among  the 


FLORTDA  INDIANS. 


li: 


swamps  and  morasses,  resigned  his  commission,  and  left 
with  the  squadron. 

The  Spanish  force,  proceeding  up  the  country,  passed 
with  groat  difficulty  the  extensive  morass  now  known  ;is 
the  Wahoo  Swamp,  and  came  to  Cale  in  tlic  southciii 
portion  of  Alachua.  The  inhabitants  of  the  town,  which 
was  large,  and  gave  tokens  of  thrift  and  abundance,  had 
fled  into  the  woods,  except  a  f(;w  stragglers  who  were  taken 
prisoners.  The  troops  fell  upon  the  stored  provisions, 
and  ravaged  the  fields  of  maize  with  the  eagerness  of  fam- 
ished men. 

Leaving  Cale  on  the  11th  of  August,  De  Soto  pressed 
forward  to  the  populous  town  of  Ochile.  Here,  without 
pretence  of  coming  as  friends,  the  soldiers  fell  upon  the 
iidiabitants,  and  overpowered  them  by  the  suddenness  of 
their  attack.  The  country  was  under  the  rule  of  three 
brothers,  one  of  whom  was  taken  prisoner  in  the  town. 
The  second  brother  came  in  afterwards  upon  the  recei}it 
of  friendly  messages  from  the  Spanish  general,  but  tlie 
elder,  Yitachueo,  gave  the  sternest  and  most  haughty 
responses  to  all  eml)assies  proposing  conciliatory  measures. 
Appearing,  at  last,  to  be  convinced  by  the  persuasion  <>f 
his  two  brothers,  who  were  sent  to  him,  he  consented  to 
a  meeting.  With  a  large  company  of  chosen  warriors,  he 
proceeded  to  De  Soto's  encampment,  and,  with  due  formal- 
ity, entered  into  a  league  of  friendship.  Both  armies 
betook  thcms61ves  to  the  principal  village  of  Vitachuco, 
and  royal  entertainment  was  prepared. 

The  treacherous  cacique,  notwithstanding  these  demon- 
strations, gatliered  an  immense  force  of  his  subjects  around 
the  town,  with  a  vicAV  of  surpi-ising  and  annihilating  the 
Spaniards;  but  the  vigilance  of  John  Ortiz  averted  the 
catastroplie. 

Preparations  were  at  once  made  to  anticipate  the  attack; 
and  so  successful  were  they  carried  out,  that  the  principal 


■'If 


;  t 


^  gi    I        "I    try     ^-  i.fl 


;  '1  ,  ^-  >-\ 


u.:.-:m 


118 


INDIAN  KACKS  OF  AMKRICA. 


Ciiciquc  was  s«cure(.l,  jiiul  his  aruiy  routed.  Many  of  the 
IVigitivcs  were  driven  into  a  lake,  wlieri;  tliey  concealed 
themselves  by  covering  their  heads  with  tlio  leaves  of 
water-lilies.  The  lake  was  surrouiuhnl  by  the  S])anish 
troops,  but  such  \vi\a  the  i-esolution  t)f  the  Indians,  that 
they  remained  the  whole  ni<j,ht  immersed  in  water,  and, 
on  the  following  day,  when  the  rest  had  delivered  them- 
selves up,  "being  constrained  by  the  sharpness  of  the  cold 
that  they  cuidured  in  the  water,"  twelve  still  held  out, 
resolving  to  die  rather  than  surrender.  Chilled  and  stu- 
])elied  by  the  exposure,  these  we^^c  dragged  ashore  by  sonu; 
Indians  of  Paraeoxi,  belonging  to  De  Soto's  party,  who 
swam  after  them,  and  seized  them  by  the  hair. 

Although  a  prisoner,  with  his  chief  warrioi".  reduced  to 
tlu!  condition  of  servants,  Vitaehuco  did  not  lay  aside  his 
daring  pui'poses  of  revenge,  lie  managed  to  circulate  the 
order  among  his  men,  that  on  a  day  appointed,  while  the 
Spaniards  were  at  dinner,  every  Indian  should  attack  the 
one  nearest  him  with  whatever  wea])on  carnc  to  hand. 

When  the  time  arrived,  Vitaehuco,  Avho  was  seated  at 
the  gtnieral's  table,  rallying  himself  for  a  desperate  eilbi't, 
s]irang  upon  his  host,  and  endeavored  to  strangle  him. 
"This  blade,"  says  the  Portuguese  narratoi',  "fell  upon  the 
general ;  but  before  he  could  get  his  two  hands  to  his  throat, 
he  gave  him  such  a  furious  blow  with  his  fist  upon  the 
face  that  he  put  him  all  in  a  gore  of  blood."  De  Soto 
had  doubtless  perished  by  the  unarmed  hands  of  the  mus- 
cular and  determined  chief,  had  not  his  attendants  mishcd 
to  his  rescue,  and  dispatched  the  assailant. 

All  the  other  prisoners  followed  their  caci(}ue's  example. 
Catching  at  the  S})aniards'  arms,  or  the  "jtounder  where- 
with they  pounded  the  macs,"  each  "set  U])on  his  master 
therewith,  or  on  the  first  that  fell  into  his  hands.  They 
made  use  of  the  lances  or  swords  they  met  with,  as  skil- 
fully as  if  they  liad  been  bred  to  it  from  their  cliildlir.od;  so 


FLOIUDA  INDIANS. 


119 


that  one  of  tlioin,  vA\\i  sword  in  liand,  timdo  li«\v<I  a<j;tiitist 
lil'tccn  or  twenty  nuMi  in  llic  open  [tlacc,  until  ho  wius  killed 
by  the  governor's  halbardicrs."  Another  dcspoiate  war- 
rior, with  only  a  hmee,  ke])t  j)ossc.ssion  of  the  room  w1i'M(i 
the  Indian  eorn  was  stored,  and  coidd  not  he  dislod,L'('d. 
lie  was  shot  through  an  aperture  in  the  I'oof.  'J'h<;  Indiiiii.s 
were  at  last  overpowered,  and  all  who  had  not  perished 
in  the  strug;^le,  were  bound  to  slakes  and  put  to  d(>a11i. 
Their  exeeutioners  were  the  Indians  of  Paracoxi,  who  shot 
tluMu  with  arrows. 

Napetaea,  the  scene  of  this  event,  was  left  by  the  Span- 
iards in  the  latter  pait  of  September.  Forcing-  their  way 
through  the  vast  swamps  and  over  the  deep  and  miry 
streams  that  intereepted  their  path,  and  exposed  to  tlie 
attack's  of  the  revengeful  pro[)rietors  of  the  soil,  tlicy  eame 
to  the  town  of  Uzaehil,  somewhere  near  the  present  Oseiila 
rivei",  midway  between  the  Suwanne  and  Ajipalaehieola. 
J'lneumbered  with  horses,  baggage,  and  armor  as  tli(>y  were, 
their  progress  is  surprising.  Uzaehil  was  deserted  by  tho 
Indians,  and  the  troops  revelled  in  store  of  provision  left 
by  the  unfortunate  inhal)itants. 

Marauding  parties  of  the  Spaniards  succeeded  in  sei/ing 
many  prisoners,  both  men  and  women,  who  Avcre  chained 
by  the  neck,  and  loaded  with  ba'jgage,  wlien  th(^  army- 
recommenced  their  march.  The  poor  creatures  resortinl 
to  cvvvy  method  to  ellcct  their  escape;  some  filing  their 
cliains  in  two  with  flints,  and  others  running  awav,  wIkmi 
an  t)pportunity  olfered,  with  the  badge  of  slaveiy  still 
attached  to  their  necks.  Those  who  failed  in  the  attcmjit 
were  cruelly  punished. 

The  natives  of  this  north-western  portion  of  Florida 
evinced  no  little  skill  and  good  management  in  the  con- 
struction of  their  dwellings  and  in  their  method  of  airricul- 
ture.  The  houses  were  pronounced  "almost  like  the  form- 
houses  of  Spai  II,"  and  some  of  the  towns  were  quite  populous. 


1    y.i  n 


;  v'  'II'   •'.     H'  '•^^^..^■■'i'i'.t'i 
■  ■  ■'.     ,  .  ''r, ;■?(.:•  v.«v 'IB 


J:/1 


»  p, 


120 


IM)IAN    HACKS  OF  AMKUIOA. 


•| 


Muklri;^'  ;i  halt  at  Aiihayca,  tliu  cujiitiil  town  of  tlio  (lis- 
trict  of  .I'alju'lic,  !)(•  Soto  scut  a  party  to  view  tliu  sea-coast. 
The  rnou  coiniiiisioiicd  loi'  this  sorvico  diseoverod  tokens 
of  the  ill-fated  exiuMlition  of  Narvaez  at  Ante,  where  tli(! 
tivo  l)oats  were  bnilt.  'I'liese  were  a  nuui{,'er  hewn  IVoia 
till!  trnnk  of  a  tree,  and  the  bones  of  the  horses  who  had 
li((Mi  killed  to  snpply  the  means  of  ontCit. 

Do  Soto,  about  the  last  of  November,  sent  a  detaeli- 
ment  back  to  the  bay  of  l']spii-itu  Santo,  with  direcitions 
for  two  caravels  to  repair  to  Cuba,  and  the  othei'  vei'scls, 
wliicli  had  not  already  been  ordered  home,  to  come  roiuul 
by  sea  and  join  him  at  I'alaehe.  'I'wenty  Indian  women 
were  sent  as  a  present  to  the  general's  wife,  Donna  Jsaln'Ila. 

In  one  of  the  scouting  expeditions,  during  the  stay  at 
Palachc,  a  remarkable  instaiujc  of  self-devotion  was  seen 
in  two  Indians,  "whom  the  troops  came  ui)on  as  they  were 
gathering  beans,  with  a  wonuin,  the  wife  of  one  of  them, 
in  their  company.  "Though  they  might  have  saved 
themselves,  yet  thoy  chose  rather  to  die  than  to  abandon 
the  woman."  "They  wounded  three  horses;  whereof  one 
died,"  before  the  Spaniards  succeeded  in  destroying  them. 

Early  in  ^farch,  15-iO,  the  Sitanish  forces  wen;  put  in 
motion  for  an  cx})cdition  to  Yupaha,  far  to  the  north-east, 
(lold  was  still  the  object  of  search.  A  yonng  Indian, 
who  was  made  prisoner  at  Nai)etaca,  alleged  that  he  had 
come  from  that  conntiy,  and  that  it  was  of  great  extent 
and  richness.  lie  said  that  it  was  subject  to  a  female 
cacique,  and  that  the  neighboring  tribes  paid  her  tiilmtc 
in  gold,  "whereupon  he  described  the  manner  how  that 
gold  was  dug,  how  it  was  melted  and  refined,  as  if  he  had 
seen  it  done  a  hundred  times,  or  as  if  the  Devil  had  taught 
him;  inasmuch  that  all  who  nnderstood  the  manner  of 
working  in  the  mines,  averred  that  it  was  impossible  for  him 
to  speak  so  exactly  of  it,  without  having  seen  the  same." 

It  would  be  foreign  to  our  present  subject  to  follow  De 


V^^'--», 


L  t. 


THfT 


*'■-, 


h; 


un 


-f'**.'- 


■'iM 


:  S( 

i!  ti, 

!|  th 

I  JO' 

■  jot 

II  til 

!!  tri 

I  ]'et 


;  I 


I  ' 


I  I 


1 1 


!  I 


FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


121 


Soto  in  tliis  tonr;  and,  indeed,  the  position  of  many  of 
tlic  localities  wliicli  arc  described  hy  his  historians,  and 
the  distances  and  directions  of  his  wearisome  and  pcrilons 
journeyings,  must,  at  the  prescMit  day,  bo  matters  of  con- 
jecture. It  may  not,  however,  be  amiss  to  mention  briefly 
th(^  nccjunts  preserved  of  tlu;  appearance  of  some  of  the 
tribes  through  whose  dominions  ho  passed  before  his 
return  to  the  north-western  districts  of  modern  Florida. 

As  he  moved  northward,  a  marked  change  was  per- 
ceived in  the  buildinL>'s.  Instead  of  the  Ki'ass-covcred 
huts  which  served  well  enough  in  the  genial  climate  of  the 
peninsula,  the  people  of  Toalli  had  "for  their  roof  little 
canes  placed  together  like  Tile;  they  were  very  neat. 
Some  had  the  walls  made  of  poles,  so  artificially  inter- 
woven, that  they  seemed  to  be  built  of  Stone  and  lime." 
They  could  be  thoroughly  warmed  in  the  winter,  Avhieh 
wius  there  j)retty  severe.  The  dwellings  of  the  caciques 
were  roomy  and  commodious,  and  were  rendered  conspi-. 
cuous  by  a  balcony  over  the  entrance.  Great  skill  was 
shown  by  these  people  in  the  manufacture  of  cloth  from 
grass  or  fd^rous  bark,  and  the  deer  skins,  of  which  they 
made  hoggins  and  other  articles,  were  admirably  well 
dressed  and  dyed. 

The  most  remarkable  of  the  countries  visited,  on  this 
Nortlit'i-n  exploration,  was  (^ulirachic[ui,  supposed  to  have 
been  situated  far  up  the  Chatahooehee,  which  was  gov- 
erned by  a  female,  '^^fhe  S])aniards  were  astonished  at  the 
dignity  and  rermement  of  the  queen.  Tier  rece])tion  of 
])e  Soto  reminds  one  of  Cleopatra's  first  meeting  with 
Anthony,  as  described  by  the  great  dramatist.  She  was 
brought  down  to  the  water  in  a  })alanquin,  and  there  seated 
in  the  stern  of  a  canoo,  upon  cushions  and  carpets,  with 
a  pavilion  overhead.  Slie  bi-ought  presents  of  mantles 
and  skins  to  the  general,  and  hung  a  neck-lace  of  iai'L^e 
pearls  about  his  lu'ck. 


I 


"  mmwi 

'  "1m 


.1 


'H. 


\<>:J..-- 


h      ' 


■;:  ' 


J     . 


:V    M'^ 


! 


122 


INDIAN"   RACES   OF   AMERICA. 


The  Indians  of  tlie  country  were  represented  as  "taAvny, 
well-shaped,  and  moi'c  ])olite  than  any  before  seen  in  Mor- 
nla."  Their  numbers  had  been  greatly  reduced,  two  years 
previous,  by  a  pestilence,  and  many  deserted  dwellings 
were  to  be  seen  around  the  town.  The  accounts  given  of 
the  quantity  of  pearls  obtained  here,  by  searching  the 
places  of  sepulture,  are  incredible. 

Departing  from  Cutifachiqui,  Dc  Soto  had  the  ingrati- 
tu(h3  to  carry  the  queen  along  with  him,  compelling  her 
even  to  go  on  foot.  "In  the  mean  time,  that  she  miulit 
deserve  a  little  eonsid(>ration  to  be  had  for  her  still,"  she 
induced  the  Indians  by  whose  houses  the  cavalcade 
passed,  to  join  the  party,  and  lend  their  aid  in  cai-rying 
the  baggage.    She  succeeded,  finally,  in  making  her  escape. 

We  must  now  dismiss  De  Soto  and  his  band  upon  their 
long  journey  through  the  western  wilderness.  lie  died 
upon  the  Red  Eiver,  and  those  of  his  companions  who 
escaped  death  from  exposure,  disease,  or  savage  Ave;i))ons, 
years  after  the  events  above  descril)ed,  made  their  way 
down  the  :\[lssissippi  to  the  gulf,  and  thence  reached  the 
Spanish  provinces  of  Mexico. 


CHAPTER  III. 

FROM  TUE  CONQUKST  ]iY  UK  SOTO  To  Till;  VKAH  1818 — JII.SS.'O.VARY 
OPEHATIONS  nv  THE    Sl'A  M  \  i;  US MOOUk's    INVASIO.N  Ol 

FLomnA — i;()wr,Ks — wa ks  of  ISI-J — defeat  of 

THE    SE3Il.\OI,KS    liV    GE.M;i!Ar.    JACKSOxV. 

We  cnn  but  briefly  touch  upon  ihe  incidents  of  Mor- 
ida  history  for  nearly  two  ('(Miliiries  aftvr  De  Soto's  inva^ 
sion.  ^i'Jie  French  llu;_;-nciiot  n>f'ug(>os,  who  s(4t]('d  upon 
St.  John's  river  in  l^AVi^  foinid  the  natives  i>hieable  antl 


''FTfTl 


I 


M 

1 1 


1 1 


FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


123 


generous.  Altliough  tlicir  kindness  was  l)iit  ill  recipro- 
cated by  tlie  colony,  no  very  serious  dilTiculties  occurred 
between  the  two  races,  '^^riio  power  and  self-con fidoncc 
of  tlic  Indians  bad  been  broken,  and  their  numbers  g-reatly 
reduced  by  the  desolating  ravages  committed  by  the 
Spaniards. 

In  the  brutal  and  murderous  wars  between  the  French 
and  Spanish  colonies,  which  succeeded  the  new  attempts 
at  settlement;  the  Indians,  although  they  took  no  conspi- 
cuous part,  were  occasionally  involved  in  hostilities.  The 
most  important  era  in  the  native  history  of  this  period,  is 
that  of  the  establishment  of  a  regular  missionary  sj'steni 
of  instruction. 

The  central  point  of  these  operations  was  the  convent 
of  St.  Helena,  situated  at  St.  Augustine.  Don  Pedro  ^fen- 
endez  de  Avilla,  the  Spanish  governor  who  founded  this 
town,  and  who  had  been  commissioned  by  the  king  of 
Spain  to  s}iread  the  Catholic  religion  among  the  Indians, 
was  indefatigable  in  carrying  out  his  sovereign's  intiMi- 
tions.  The  success  met  witli  by  the  ecclesiastics  sent  forth 
among  the  various  tribes,  is  astonishing.  In  the  wilder- 
ness of  central  Florida  may  still  be  seen  the  ruins  of 
buildings  ercetcd  by  their  means  for  religious  exercises. 
Their  eilbrts  were  not  eonfnied  to  the  vicinity  of  the  col- 
onies: emissaries  penetrated  tlie  western  forests,  even  to 
the  ^[ississi])pi;  and  amid  the  rough  mountain  districts  of 
the  ]iorth,  they  were  to  be  found  living  with  the  In- 
dians, and  assiduously  instructing  ihem,  not  only  in  their 
reliuious  creed,  but  in  languaa'c  ami  useful  arts. 

The  Spanish  inflnenee  might  perhaps  have  been  main- 
tained over  the  Indians  dui'ing  the  existence  of  the  colony, 
bat  for  the  jealovis  suspicions  of  Calirar.a,  who  was  made 
governor  in  IGSO.  He  jiut  to  death  the  juMueipal  chief  of 
the  Yen>ase(\^,  or  innabitants  of  i'last  I'lorida,  u])()n  an 
accusatii)n  pf  liaviii'j;  given  aid  and  e^^uifort  t(j  the^  Fnulish 


^!;^..}UiW 


'>l*0 


:Al 


*  ,'"'i-.  'Vl' 


F"^ 


124 


INDIAN  KACES   OF  AMERICA. 


settlers  on  the  St.  John's,  then  called  May  river.  The  con- 
sequence of  this  act  was  a  long  and  troublesome  war. 

The  unfortunate  Indians  were  for  many  years  after  this 
event  made  the  tools  of  the  hostile  European  colonics: 
lirst  in  the  French  and  Spanish  wars,  and  afterwards,  in 
1702  and  1704,  when  governor  Moore,  of  South  Carolina, 
invaded  Florida. 

In  the  north-Avestern  districts  of  the  peninsula  dwelt  the 
Appalachces;  the  rest  of  the  country  wa'^  inhabited  by 
the  Yemasees.  These  two  nations  had  formerly  been  upon 
terms  of  the  bitterest  enmity,  but  had  been  reconciled  by 
the  mediation  of  the  Spaniards,  JMoorc,  fcjllowed  by  a  con- 
siderable body  of  Knglish,  and  a  large  force  of  Creek 
Indians,  ravaged  nearly  the  whole  country,  begiiming  at 
Apjjalachee,  and  pioceeding  south-easterly  to  the  Atlantic 
sea-board,  lie  carried  away  many  Indians  of  the  con- 
quered tribes  to  the  English  plantations  as  slaves. 

After  a  long  period  of  hopeless  and  prohtless  warfare, 
in  Avhich  they  had  nothing  to  gain  by  success,  and  by 
means  of  which  they  were  disabled  from  agriculture  and 
depi'ived  of  a  settled  abode,  the  scattered  remnants  of  the 
Indian  tribes  gradually  took  up  their  quarters  in  the  heart 
of  the  country,  and  further  towards  the  Soulli.  In  the 
latter  })art  of  the  eighteenth  century  they  acquired  the 
name  of  Seminoles,  said  to  signify  "wanderers." 

In  the  year  17*J2,  an  unprincipled  adventurer  from  Eng- 
land, named  Bowles,  made  strenuous  attempts  to  excite 
the  hostility  of  the  Indians  against  the  Spanish  settlers. 
J'ailing  in  a  direct  attempt  to  plunder  an  Indian  trading- 
house  on  the  St.  John's,  and  finding  himself  abandoned  by 
his  associates,  he  betook  himself  to  the  Creeks,  married  a 
woman  of  that  tribe,  and  jjersuaded  the  Indians  that  the 
store  of  goods  Avhich  he  had  attacked  belonged  rightfully 
to  tliem.  lie  met  with  considerable  success  in  deceiving 
the  simple-minded  natives,  and,  assisted  by  several  chiels 


;«*T;-7m 


FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


125 


of  the  Creek  nation,  nc  got  possession  of  tlie  fortress  of 
St  Marks.  Delivering  himself  up  to  riot  and  drunken- 
ness, with  his  followers,  it  proved  no  difheult  task  foi'  the 
Spanish  troops  to  retake  the  fort.  Bowles  was  allowed  to 
eseape,  but  was  afterwards  delivered  up  by  his  Indian 
rillies,  and  taken  to  Cuba  a  prisoner.  The  Seminolcs  were 
partial]}^  involv^cd  in  the  wai's  of  1812  and  the  two  suceeed- 
iiig  years,  when  the  Amerieans  invaded  Florida.  Their 
ehief  leaders  were  King  Payne  and  his  brother,  the  noted 
Boleck  or  Bow-legs.  Ilaving  done  no  little  damage  by 
burning  buildings  and  plundering  the  "plantations  in  their 
vieinity,  they  purposed  to  mareh  northward,  but  were  en- 
gaged and  routed  nearer  home,  by  General  Newman,  with 
a  body  of  troops  from  Georgia.  This  force  having  crossed 
the  St.  John's,  marched  into  Alachua,  and  encountered 
Payne  within  a  few  miles  of  his  head-quarters.  The  Indians 
fought  bravely,  but  could  not  resist  the  superior  skill 
of  the  whites.  Payne  was  killed,  and  his  men  were  driven 
oif  in  the  first  engagement,  but  they  rallied,  and  returned 
to  the  attack  w ith  redoubled  energy.  They  possessed  them- 
selves of  the  body  of  their  chief;  and  afterwards  surround- 
ing.the  American  forces,  kept  them  in  a  state  of  siege  for  a 
number  of  days,  imperfectly  protected  by  a  structure  of  logs. 

After  this  period,  and  previous  to  the  cession  of  the  Flor- 
idas  to  the  United  States,  the  affairs  of  the  Seminoles  and 
their  American  neighbors  were  unsettled,  and  some  bloody 
scenes  were  'enacted.  Fugitive  slaves  from  the  adjoining 
states  found  a  secure  asylum  among  the  immense  wilds  of 
the  marshy  and  uninhabited  territory  of  the  Floridas,  and 
conflicting  claims  of  Indians  and  whites  respecting  negroes 
long  after  formed  a  fertile  source  of  quarrel  and  complaint. 
Some  of  the  Seminoles  became  possessed  of  large  numbers 
of  slaves,  holding  them  by  undisputed  title. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1818,  General  Jackson,  with 
moi'c  til  an  three  thousand  men,  over  one  half  of  whom  were 


"  ■'■   r 


;t 


a 


M 


'■i  iS  '  ■ ;« 


'1% 


■  .m 


J 

'■ 

1 

1 

,1 


126 


,  t 

;  I 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  A^[EKICA. 


Creek  warriors,  marclied  iiito  "West  Florida  to  punish  and 
check  the  ravages  of  the  Sominolcs.  Witli  littl(>  opjiositioil 
from  the  inhabitants,  the  towns  surroundiii,^-  iho  lake  of 
^[iccosukie  were  d(?stroyed,  and  niuch  booty,  in  corn  and 
cattle,  was  secured.  4'lie  Indian  villages  upon  the  Oscilla 
and  St.  Mark's  riveis,  known  as  the  Fowel  towns,  not  with 
a  similar  fate.  St.  Marks  was  so(tn  after  occupied  vy  the 
invaders,  and,  in  the  ensuing  month,  the  great  body  of  the 
Seminoles,  aided  by  large  numbers  of  negroes,  was  defeated 
on  the  borders  of  the  Suwanee,  and  several  hundred  were 
taken  prisoners.     The  rest  fled  into  East  Florida. 


CIIArXER  IV. 

0O.'\II\IENCEi'MENT    OF    TIIF,    LATK    FLORIDA  WAR TREATY    OF    MOUL- 
TRIE  CREEK TREATY   OF   PAINe's    LANDING OSCEOLA DE- 
STRUCTION   OF    DADe's    command — lUTTLE    OF    THE 

OUITHLACOOCHIK CONFERENCE  WITH  INDIAN 

CHIEFS,  BY  GENERAL  GAINES. 

"*        *         *        ILirk,  that  quick,  fierce  cry, 
That  rouds  the  utter  silence;  'tis  tlie  whoop 
Of  battle,  and  a  throng  of  savage  men, 
With  naked  arms,  and  faces  stained  like  blood, 
Fill  the  green  wilderness.         *        *        * 
*        *         *        *         Soon  the  conquerors 
And  Cdiiqueicd  vanish,  and  tlie  dead  remain, 
Gashed  horribly  with  tomahawks." — Biiyaht. 

After  the  whole  country  had  pas-^ed  into  the  hands 
of  the  American  government,  it  was  thought  necessary  to 
take  steps  to  secure  the  frontiers  of  the  white  settlements 
from  the  incursions  of  the  Indians,  and  to  confine  the  lat- 
ter to  certain  specified  districts.  In  the  year  1823,  there- 
fore, on  the  18th  of  September,  a  treaty  was  concluded 


1 1 


— 'i 


1^^  ^-irn 


1 1 


1 1 


FLORIDA   INDIANS. 


127 


{it  the  CMiTip  Oil  !^[ollltric  Creek,  between  commissioners 
from  tlie  United  States  aiiel  a  number  of  Seminole  chiefs, 
whereby  it  was  stipulated:  that  all  territory  not  reserved 
bylhc  articles  should  jxiss  to  the  American  government ; 
th;it  Ili(^  Indians  should  confine  themselves  to  a  large  dis- 
trict desci'ibed  by  courses  and  bounds  in  the  heart  of  the 
peninsula;  that  fugitive  slaves  should  be  delivered  np, 
the  reasonable  expenses  of  sc^curing  them  being  provided 
for;  and  that  certain  sums  should  be  paid  by  the  gov- 
crnnKmt  to  compensate  for  the  expenses  and  losses  of  re- 
moval, and  to  establish  the  Indians  comfortably  in  their 
new  quarters.  Various  minor  particulars  were  embodied  in 
the  treaty,  which  was  signed  with  mark  and  seal,  on  the 
part  of  the  Seminoles,  by  tlic  principal  chief  ^Micanopy; 
by  Tuske  Ilajo,  Emathlochee,  Econchatimico,  Tokosc- 
mathla  (known  as  Iliclcs),  Charley  Amathla,  Tusteruiggc, 
John  Blunt,  Mulatto  King,  Philip,  Nea  ^lathla,  and  twenty- 
one  others,  possessed  of  or  claiming  the  authority  of  chiefs. 

An  cxce])tion  was  made,  by  an  additional  article,  in 
favor  of  six  of  the  signers;  who  were  allowed,  in  consid- 
eration of  former  services,  to  remain  upon  the  lands  then 
occupied  by  them. 

•  Micanopy  is  described  by  William^^>  as  a  "large  fat  man, 
rather  obtnsc  in  intellect,  but  kind  to  his  people  and  slaves." 

Tlie  Indians  were  removed  in  poeordancc  Avitli  the 
provisions  of  the  agreement,  anrl,  until  18o5,  no  serious 
hostilities  took  place  between  them  and  the  whites.  Com- 
]*laints  were,  indeed,  made  on  both  sides  of  unredressed 
wrongs  and  outrages.  The  Alachuan  settlers  lost  their 
cattle,  and  attributed  the  thefls  to  the  Indians:  on  the 
other  hand,  the  Indians  complained,  wiJix  justice,  of  num- 
berless impositions  and  deceptions  to  which  they  were 
exposed  in  their  intercourse  with  unprincipled  traders 
and  speculators. 

To  quiet  all  disturbance  it  w^as  at  last  deemed  expedient 


-J 


i,    T'^f: 


lr.;.''m 


•i    ' 

v.; 

■,.:.      "1  '-!■:;'■♦•  jS 

,i- 

-"   ;•         '    V'.'^'l 

'  : 

■-'■.■'■I  \.--:'-r 

'  '  • 

.  1. 

..i  •■;.:' (o^^'l 

■'  i,''--^t:?S 

.,_■!.    (4:-^ 

■      1 

'i 


128 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


l! 


by  tlic  Aincrican  government,  to  efTect  an  en '.ire  removal 
of  the  Sominolcs  to  tlio  Avest  of  tlic  MississipjM.  Accord- 
ingly, a  meeting  was  ai)pointc(l  hy  MicanojiV  and  the  gov- 
crnnient  emissaries,  to  be  hehl  at  J'ayne's  Landing,  on  the 
Ocklawaha  river,  on  the  eighth  of  May,  1832.  Fifieen 
chiefs  were  jn'csent,  and,  jd'ter  niuch  argument,  signed  an 
agreement,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  their  people,  to 
'accede  to  the  proposals  of  government;  provided  the  new 
hinds  assigned  them  should  prove  acceptable  to  a  dejiuta- 
tion  from  their  number  who  should  first  go  to  make  exam- 
ination. The  United  States  were  to  pay  the  tribe  fifteen 
thousand  four  hundred  dollars,  and  the  removal  Avas  to 
take  })laee  within  three  years.  The  authority  of  the  sign- 
ers of  this  treat}^  to  bind  the  whole  of  the  Seminole  tribes 
has  been  frequently,  and  with  no  little  reason,  called  in 
question.  Certain  it  is,  that  to  a  majority  of  the  nation 
the  proposition  was  highly  distasteful. 

Several  chiefs,  with  Alicanopy's  prime  counsellor  Abra- 
ham, an  astute  negro,  undertook  the  survey  of  the  west- 
ern reserve,  and  signed  a  writing  expressive  of  their  satis- 
faction with  its  appearance.  It  was  claimed  by  the  In- 
dians, and  their  ])artisans,  that  some  deception  was  used 
both  in  the  wording  of  this  certificate,  and  generally  as 
to  the  conclusiveness  of  the  arrangements  entered  into  at 
Payne's  Landing. 

As  the  end  of  the  term  prescribed,  within  w^hich  they 
must  leave  their  homes,  drew  near,  opposition  to  removal, 
and  determination  to  resist  it,  continued  to  gain  force 
among  the  Indians.  They  coin])lained  of  the  accounts 
brought  them  of  the  belligerent  character  of  the  savages 
who  Avould  be  their  near  neighbors,  and  strenuously  ob- 
jected to  a  plan,  set  on  foot  at  Washington,  for  uniting 
thei''  tribe  with  that  of  their  old  enemies  the  Creeks. 

Serious  disturbances  commenced  in  1835.  Some  months 
previously,  whites  had  been,  upon  one  or  two  occasions, 


If  ,(*■•;  V 


y'a* 


n 


■  f 


'> '  •' 


■m 


,.1   < 


ili\ 


A'.!' 


%      -fl 


<'>'  :'f 


Mm 


<^'m 


Sr 


Sc 


u  .•'  c  ;■-  V  I.  H. 


FLORIDA  INlitAXS. 


12!) 


fiivil  iij.oii  liy  tlic  riidiiins,  nnd  inntuiil  wrotiL's,  insults, 
:iiiil  iiijurifs,  had  cxcitcil  o(Micrid  ill-U'rliii.tr  In.'lwccu  tin; 
1\V()  nations.  Jn  the  month  oi'  Ocv-tlicr,  ol:'  this  vcar,  sev- 
eral Indians  were  dctoeteil  in  killing-  a  cow  near  Kcnapaha 
I'oiid,  not  I'ar  lioni  Miccdsukic.  'I'hcy  were  set  npon  l.v 
seven  whites,  who  si'i/ed  their  aiMns,  and  comnieneed 
iK'atin.t,'  Iheni  with  whips.  An  allVay  suecoed(;d,  in  which 
several  were  wounded  on  both  sides,  and  two  of  the  In- 
dians were  killed  outright.  'J'his  may  bo  eonsidered  to 
be  the  eomnienciement  of  the  war:  it  was  the  lirst  bhxxl 
she(l,  but  was  sooi'  followed  by  other  outrages.  The  mail 
rider,  upon  li'.s  route  from  Fort  Brooke,  on  Ttimpa  P)av, 
to  Fort  King,  fell  a  victim  to  Indian  revenge;  his  body 
was  f(mnd  hacked  and  mutilated. 

Jt  now  a])])cared  that  the  Seminoies,  determined  to  main- 
tain their  ground,  had  been,  for  some  time,  })urchasing 
and  hoai-ding  great  stores  of  arms  and  annnunition.  Their 
nnmbei's  were  considerable;  they  had  among  them  lead- 
ers known  to  be  bold,  determined,  and  sagacious;  tiiey 
eonsidered  themselves  wronged  and  oppressed;  and  all 
these  circumstances,  cond)ined  with  their  intimate  knowl- 
edge of  the  impassable  wilderness  to  which  they  could 
at  any  moment  retire,  convinced  the  discerning  that  a 
war  with  them  must  be  fraught  with  danger  and  diOicnltv, 
and  might  be  indelniitely  protractecL 

^J'lie  3'oung  chief,  Osceola,  whose  name  is  more  inti- 
mately associated  than  any  other  with  the  bloody  (n'cnts 
that  succeeded,  now  began  to  attract  attention  for  his 
acuteness,  cnergN,  and  determined  hostility  to  the  whites, 
lie  was  a  quadi'oon  of  the  Red  Stick  (anglicized  from  the 
French  "liaton  Kongo")  tribe,  of  ^[iccosukie;  his  moilier 
being  a  half-breed,  and  his  fatluT  snp))Osed  to  be  an  Eng- 
lishman mimed  Powcl — a  name  oiMlinaril}^  borne  by  the 
chief  Osceola  had  opposed  the  plan  of  removal  at  pre- 
vious  councils,  witli  great  vigor,   and  on  one  occasion 


1^' 


%, 


■  ;n 


1^ 


■11 


I 


130 


INDIAN   HACKS  OF  AMKUICA. 


(Icnnoanod  liiinsclf  with  sucli  violciico  tliiit  lie  was  scizcfl 
l»y  (ji'iionil  ThoriipsoJi,  tlii!  ^ovrnuiu'iit  ji,!^^cii1,  and  kept  Ibr 
a  (lay  or  two  coiiliiKid  in  listlors.  l)issc!iiil)lin,i^  his  raj^o, 
he,  for  u  tiino,  inaiiagiHl  to  disariii  suspicion;  liriii^'iiijj;  in 
a  groat  number  of  his  followers,  and  solemnly  rati  lying 
the  treaty. 

His  true  pur])oses  and  feelings  were  fir^t  known  hy  the 
l)art  he  took  in  the  muider  of  John  llieks  and  Chai'lc^y 
Amathla,  two  chiefs  who  had  been  prominent  in  forward- 
ing the  treaty  of  removal.  He  obtained  great  ascendancy 
for  himself  and  followers  among  the  whole  nation  of  the 
Seminoles;  and  mainly  throngh  his  influence,  instead  of 
collecting  their  cattle  and  stot'k  for  a])praisal,  at  the  time 
when  they  were  notified  that  they  must  leave  the  country, 
the  warriors  of  the  tribe  secreted  their  women  and  chil- 
dren in  Bwamps  remote  from  white  settlements,  and  scoured 
the  country  in  hostile  attitude. 

I^roops  were  ordered  to  Florida  from  various  quar- 
ters. Major  Dade,  arriving  at  Tampa  Bay,  with  a  com- 
pany of  United  States'  infantry,  being  reinforced,  with  two 
other  companies,  started,  on  the  i!ith  of  Decemljcr,  to 
the  relief  of  General  Clinch,  at  Fort.  King.  1 1  is  Ibi-ce 
consisted  of  over  one  hundred  regular  troops,  supplied 
with  ten  days'  provision:  they  took  with  them  a  small 
tield-piece.  Some  delay  occurred  upon  the  march,  owing 
to  the  difficulty  of  transporting  the  cannon,  and  on  il'e 
28th  they  had  advanced  no  farther  than  a  few  miles  to 
the  northward  of  the  forks  of  the  Ouithlacoochce.  '  Here 
they  were  attacked  by  an  unknowm  midtitudc  of  Indians, 
under  the  command  of  Micanoj)y,  and  his  brother-in-law, 
the  celebrated  Jumper,  who  had  avoided  signing  the 
treaty  of  Moultrie  Creek.  The  savages  were  crouching 
among  the  long  wire-grass,  and  protected  by  the  trunks 
of  the  pine-trees,  when  they  commenced  their  fire.  The 
effect  was  deadly;    Major  Dade  and  a  great  number  of 


rr 


1 ' 
i 


FLOUIDA  INDIANS. 


131 


his  mon  \V(to  killeil  at  the  first  discharj/o.  Tho  soldiers 
continued  to  fight  bravely,  sheltering  themselves  as  well 
as  possible  behind  trees;  and,  as  iIk;  Indians  rose  n]), 
poured  in  their  fire  so  briskly  as  to  drive  tho  cntMiiy  from 
the  {\v.\(\.  Kvery  instant  Avas  now  ocenpied  in  forming  a 
slight  i)rotection  by  eiitfing  and  piling  up  thi;  trunks  of 
pines.  The  Indians,  however,  soon  n'turned  in  great 
foree,  and,  surrounding  the  little  eutrenehment,  destroyed 
nearly  every  man  of  the  eompany.  After  they  luvl  taken 
possession  of  tho  arms  whieh  lay  scattered  around,  the 
Indians  retired,  but  a  body  of  mounted  negroes  are  said 
to  have  come  up,  and  finished  the  murderous  Avork  hy 
knoeking  out  the  brains  of  the  wounded.  Only  four  men 
escaj)ed,  biding  passed  over  by  the  negroes  and  Inilia,ns,  tus 
they  lay  wounded  and  motiotdess  among  tho  dead  bodies. 
'One  of  these  wa>s  killed  on  the  following  day,  while  en- 
deavoring to  make  his  way  baek  to  tho  fit:  the  other 
three,  eauliously  tlireading  their  path  through  the  wilder- 
ness, arrived  safe  at  Tampa  Bay. 

On  the  same  day  with  tho  destruction  of  Dade's  com- 
mand, Osceola  revenged  himself  upon  his  hated  foe,  Gen- 
eral Wiley  Thompson,  bNMvhom  ho  had  been  imprisoned, 
as  before  mentioned.  A  eompany  of  nine,  among  them 
General  Thomj^son,  Avere  dining  at  tho  house  of  a  ^\r. 
Rogers,  withi)i  fifty  rods  of  Fort  King,  Avhon  tho  house 
was  beset  by  Indians,  and  a  volley  poured  in  upon  tho 
company.  Thompson  and  four  others  were  killed;  the 
rest  escaped  to  the  fort. 

In  the  course  of  tlie  month,  various  plantations  were 
destroyed  in  different  parts  of  the  country  bordei'ing 
on  the  Indian  reserve,  and  some  skirmishing  took  place. 
On  the  last  day  of  December,  General  Clinch,  who  had 
been  stationed  at  Fort  Grane,  thirty  miles  nortli-AVCst  of 
Fort  King,  being  on  his  march  towards  Osceola's  head- 
quarters with  a  considerable  force  of  Florida  voluntmn's 


rinm 


fS^'- 


H 


1  I't     y  'T 


.-.:« 


■;■ 

- 

, 

'Wl 

> 

\  J 

'*-, 

'':i^ 

1 

■''It 

1 

i 


I'M 


132 


INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AMERICA. 


ami  ;il)()ut  two  liiiiidiTd  rt\u'iil;ir  tr()<)[)S,  cucomitcrcd  the 
eiu'iny  u]i()ii  llu;  Icll  l);iiik  oC  the  Ouiliriucooclicc. 


The   Indians,   iiiiml 


K'l'in 


,!j,',  as  was   supposed, 


oscd,  about  six 


hniidi-(>d,  lu'adcd  \)y  Oscc"''',  loll  u})oii  tho  lirst  division 
of  tlic  AniiM'icaii  ai'iiiy  that  had  rllt'ctiHl  tlio  ])assago  of  tli(3 
riviM'.  'V\\o.  sfrcani,  coiitrai-y  lo  expectation,  was  in  no 
plaee  l!)rdal)le,  and  the  only  means  t)f  ci'ossin«j,'  was  \)y  ii 


{single  eanoc 
TJie   Indian 


tl 


ic  Jioi'ses  passed  iiic  river 


by 


swninnmu". 


eomniaiu 


ler  evinei'd  iireat  bravery  and  eou- 
sinmiKite  marksmanship,  and  his  men,  lirin<i;  Irom  the  cover 
of  a  thick  growth  of  underwood,  and  from  behind  ti'ees, 
jirovcd  (hllieuh  op[)onents  to  (hsi(;i^<>"0.  The  troops,  -with 
OIK'  ur  two  shght  e.\cej)tions,  stood  ,'ifni,  and  ai'tei'  I'epeatinl 
chai'L^es,  (b'o\ c  the  Indians  IVom  the  lleld.  Jn  this  engage- 
meni   mort;  thai 


ei'a 


1  lll'lv  Ame'.ieans  wiTo  wounded,  and  sev- 
1   killed;   the   loss  oC  the  enemy  was  re})orted  tt)  have 


heeii  over  one 


humb'eth 


w 


Addilional  ti'oops  from  Louisiana,  and  forces  coiuu'cted 
ith  the  marine  ser\ie(>,  were  collected  at  Tam])ar)ay;  and 


a  larLie  ( 


letachment,  mider  ( ienei'al  (iaines,  marched  to  I-"ort 


King,  whei'c  they  arri\('d  on  the  'J"Jd  oi'  I''ebruary.      I 
^■i^ions  beinL!'  scarce,  and  the  state  of  tlu;  I'oads  bei 


ro- 


U''-  swell 


that  supjilies  t'oiud  iiot  oe  easdy  jn'otMU'cd,  dames  and  hiS 


d 


i  I 

ij 


\i)wc  comment 


'cd  their  I'elurn  to  Tampa,  by  the  i 


onte  loi'-. 


merlv   la 


ken  bv  C 


mcli,   ai'ross  liu^ 


Ouithlacooc 


lee 


() 


11 


the  li;ink  ol'  the   rixcr,  no  gieat.  distance  from   the  scene 
of  the  last  battle,  the  arni\'  was,  in  a  mannei',  sui'roun>.ed 

hy  Inilians,  a]i[iarently 


d,  I 


mil  l^esieged,  lor  nioi'c  man  a  wrv 


to  tlu'  mil 


niicr  ol    tr( 


f  W 


Din   one   lo  two  thousaii 


h       A  -•; 


1 1 1 1 II 'jf 


re  was 


kejtt  up  at  e\-ery  expost'd  ])oint.      \V( 


)rd  was  sent 


to  i''ort  Draiie,  where  (leneral  (diiieli  was  stalioiietl,  for 
iX'licf,  as  the  ]»rovisi<ins  ol'  the  army  wci'c  nearl\-  e\|ieiidi'd. 
( )ii  the  (!tli  of  March,  a  conreience  was  held  lie!  ween 
till'  American  olficcrs  and  thrcti  of  tho  }triiicipal  Indiau 
chief-  —Oscoohi,  Junipcj',  aial  Alligator.     'I'lie  camp  had 


LI; 


.:....  J 


''PTir-T7m 


Ol'i'f  !?«■ 


FLORIDA    INDIANS. 


1  ..o 


1)0011  luiilctl  (lurinj,^  tlio  ])rev"u)us  iiiglit,  and  a  wish  n.vn 
parley  expressed  on  the  jnirt  of  the  savages.  The  cliicrs 
[)r()(essed  a  desire  for  peaee;  said  they  were  weary  of  war, 
and  that,  if  they  could  be  allowt'd  to  retire  (piiefly  bevnnd 
the  Oiiilhlacoocliee,  and  could  remain  there  niunolesled, 
Ihcy  would  create  no  further  disturbance.  Thev  ^\cvo 
iiifoi'nied  tliat  the  general  had  no  authority  to  conclude 
any  agreement  with  them,  and  that  their  only  course  n-as 
to  com])ly  with  the  re([uisitions  of  the  govcrmncMit,  an 
forces,  which  it  would  be  imjiossiblc  for  them  to  resist, 
wei'c  on  their  way  to  enforce  submission.  'I'he  Indian 
chiefs  wished  for  an  oiiportunity  to  take  counsel  with  tlu'ir 
great  King  Micanojiy,  before  returning  an  answx^r;  but 
(Jenerid  (Minch  ap])eaihig,  wilh  the  desired  relief,  and 
<''"i-aging  with  a  detachment  of  the  Indians,  the  meeliuLr 
was  bi'okon  up.  'J'hey  agreed,  however,  before  retirin«-«- 
to  (h'aw  olf  tlu'ir  wai-riors  to  IIk^  south  bank  of  tlie  rivi'r 
ami  to  liold  themselves  ready  to  attend  further  conned 
when  notilied. 

Nothing  further  was  eirected,  and  the  combined  Amer- 
ic'U)  forces  returned  to  Fort  Drane. 


n 


\i 


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134  INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  V. 

CONnrTION  OF  EAST    FLOKIDA — GENEKAL    SCOTT's  CAMPAIGN GAR- 
RISON BESIEtiED  ON  THE  OTJITHLACOOCIIF.E OCCUHH.ENCICS  DUR- 
ING TITR  SUMMER  OF   13:30 ARRIVAL  OF  CREEK  ALLIES 

COLOXEL  lanes'  EXPRDITION  FliO.M  TAMPA RATTLES 

OF  THE  AVAHOO    SWAMP — GKNERAL  JESSUP  AP- 
POINTED TO  THE    COMMAND  IN   FLORIDA. 

"*     *     And  there  .ire  tales  of  s:id  reality 
Tri  the  dark  legi^iids  of  thy  border  war." 

Halleck. 

T)Y  tliis  time  grievous  injury  liiid  been  done  by  tlie 
Indians  to  the  settlements  in  East  Florida.  Philip  was 
the  principal  leader  in  the  devastations  that  took  place 
in  that  region.  New  Sm_yrna,  at  Mosquito  Inlet,  Avas 
destroyed,  and  the  plantations  upon  ITaliCax  river,  to  llio 
northward  of  the  town,  were  ravaged  and  the  settlei'S  (b-iven 
olT.  Tlie  Avhite  inhabitants  of  the  interior  were  every- 
where ol)liged  either  to  abandon  their  homes,  or  to  erect 
defences  and  to  establish  a  regular  watch. 

General  Scott  having  been  appointed  to  the  conmiand 
of  the  army  in  Morida  daring  the  spring  of  this  year 
(I80G),  formed  a  plan  to  penetrate  the  heart  t)f  the  country, 
with  a  large  force,  from  three  diftcrent  quarters  simulta- 
neously, and  thus  surround  the  Indians,  and  cut  off  their 
rcti-oat.  Generals  Clinch  and  Eustice,  and  Colonel  Lindsey 
wer(>  appointed  to  lead  the  three  divisions.  General  Clinch's 
] K!  rty  was  attended  by  General  Scott  in  person.  The  army 
was  ])ut  in  motion  in  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of  March. 

'i'he  service  was  accomplished,  but  Avith  little  good 
effect.  Tlie  Indians,  possessing  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
country,  instead  of  opposing  the  advancing  columns  in 
force,  hung  about  the  flanks  and  rear  of  the  army,  and  k<'pt 


.il 


FLORIDA    INDIANS. 


135 


up  a  vexations  skirmishing.  No  important  engagement 
took  jilace,  and  the  three  divisions,  after  lying  for  a  few 
days  at  U'anipa,  "were  again  put  in  motion.  Separate  detach- 
ments were  oixU'red  to  })roceed,  one  to  Fort  Drane,  one  to 
attack  the  enemy  at  Pease  Creek,  to  the  soutliward,  one  to 
I'avage  the  country  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Ouithhicoochee, 
and  another  to  marcli  to  A'okisia. 

Little  benefit  appears  to  have  resulted  from  the  cam- 
[)aign :  a  careful  attention  to  the  plans  of  Indian  warfare 
laid  down,  at  an  earlier  age,  by  Captain  Benjamin  Church, 
of  New  England,  or  by  the  redoubtable  pioneer  of  Vir- 
ginia, Captain  John  Smith,  might  have  produced  effects 
far  more  decided. 

A  small  detachment  of  troops  had  been  left,  about  the 
middle  of  A[arch,  to  guard  a  quantity  of  provision,  stored 
in  a  rude  building  fifteen  miles  up  the  Ouithlacoochee. 
Not  having  been  heard  from  for  manj^  w(!eks  after,  they 
wei'e  supposed  to  have  l)een  cut  olf  by  the  Indians,  and 
no  attempt  was  made  to  relieve  them  until  towards  the 
latter  part  of  Afay,  when  three  of  tlic  garrison  managed 
to  escape  the  vigilance  of  their  besiegei's,  and  to  convey 
intelligence  of  their  condition  to  Tallahassee.  The  small 
party  had  been  defending  their  post  gallantly  for  more 
than  two  months  against  hosts  of  the  enemy;  their  block 
house  had  been  partially  destroyed  over  their  heads,  so 
that  they  were  cx})Osed  to  the  inclemencies  of  the  Aveather, 
and  their  provision  consisted  entirely  of  corn.  A  steamer 
was  sent  to  the  river's  mouth,  and  the  compaTiy  was  brought 
down  to  it  in  a  barge. 

A.s  the  season  advanced,  the  enervating  influence  of  the 
climate  ])ro(luced  its  natural  ed'cet  upon  the  troops.  The 
fevers  of  the  country  attacked  those  who  were  not  accli- 
mated, and  Ihc  rest  wen^  but  ])oorly  conditioned  for  an 
arduous  eauipaign.  Active  o|>(M'ations  for  the  most  ])art 
ceased;  the  volunteers  wei'C  discharged,  and  the  regular 


M  '•■!: 


JiflW       '■    ■''B    %'■ 


136 


INDIAN  KACErf  OF  AMERICA. 


soldiers  distributed  amono;  the  diirei-ciit  {"'vrts  extendina 
from  St.  Augustine  across  the  country  to  tlio  Suwaniie. 
The  Indians  were  free  to  roam  wliere  they  hstcd  tlirouglt  tlie 
immense  "wilderness  to  the  southward,  and  to  lay  jjlans  of 
secret  attack  upon  eveiT  exposed  settlement  or  ])lantation. 

About  the  end  of  uVpril,  a  tei'j'ible  massacre  took  pl;ico 
at  Charlotte  Jlai'bor;  and  in  May  and  June,  the  country 
between  the  St.  Johns  and  the  Atlantic,  nearly  as  far  n.orlh 
as  St.  Augustine,  was  geno'ally  ravaged  by  the  Indians. 
Their  attacks  extended  to  the  vicinity  of  Mandarin,  only 
sixteen  or  eighteen  miles  south  of  Ja.cksonville.  A  ^Ir. 
i\lotte,  residing  at  that  place,  Avas  murdered,  and  his  estab- 
lishment was  desti'o_yed. 

Early  in  June,  the  Lidians,  emboldened  by  success  in  the 
destruction  of  plantations,  and  the  expulsion  of  the  whites 
from  such  ext'jnsive  di-tricts,  beset  lliC  foit  at  Micanopr, 
which  w:i  ■  g.'.rri.-on.'d  by  a  company  under  tlie  command 
of  Major  lleillman,  tlicn  at  the  head  of  the  army  west  of 
St.  Jolm's  river.  They  wei'e  driven  oil",  but  not  without 
some  loss  on  the  })a]'t  of  the  whites. 

in  July,  Fort  Drane  had  become  so  unhealthy  that  it 
■was  thought  necessary  to  abandon  it.  As  the  troops  were 
on  tlicir  march  upon  the  evacuation  of  the  })lace,  they 
had  a  sliarp  brusli  with  some  liundreds  of  Indians  who 
lay  in  wait  for  them  near  Wclika  Tond,  in  the  vicinity  of 
MicanojDy.  Towards  the  close  of  the  month  the  light- 
house at  Cape  Florida  was  destrv)3-ed.  The  kcc})er,  named 
Thompson,  was  singularlj^  preserved  by  clinging  to  the  top 
of  the  stone  wall  of  the  building,  -while  the  wood-work 
was  burned  out  iVoni  within.  After  the  lialians  had,  l)y 
thcii'  own  act,  cut  olf  the  means  of  access  to  the  sunnnit, 
tlicy  descried  the  unibrtunate  man,  half  dead  with  the  heat 
and  smoke,  and  shot  at  him  a  long  time  without  eifect. 
lie  was  able  to  crouch  in  such  a  manner  u])on  the  top  of  the 
wall  as  to  elude  their  aim,  until  they  took  their  departure. 


FLORIDA    INDIANS. 


18( 


It  would  b(!  impracticable,  in  a  sketch  of  this  kind,  to 
give  full  particulars  of  the  skirinisliinLr,  pluiideriiijf,  and 
murders  whicli  were  to  be  heard  of  on  every  side;  (hiviii<r 
the  summer  of  183(3.  About  the  middle  of  August,  it  \v;is 
ascertained  that  Osceola  and  a  large  com})any  of  his  fol- 
lowers were  staying  in  the  vicinity  of  the  abandoned  I'Vi't 
Drane,  for  the  sake  of  securing  the  corn  growing  upon  die 
neighboring  plantations.  They  were  attacked  and  defeated 
by  ^lajor  Pierce. 

In  September  a  marauding  party  of  Indians  made  their 
A\'ay  to  within  seven  miles  of  Jacksonville,  where  they 
nUacked  the  house  of  ^^r.  lligginbotham.  There  were 
only  two  men  in  the  house,  but,  having  a  number  of  guns, 
and  roceivinii;  resolute  assistance  from  the  women  of  the 
i'amily,  the}"  successfully  resisted  the  assault.  After  the 
Indians  had  retired,  lligginbotham  hastened  with  all  sj»cod 
to  Jacksonville,  and  procured  a  [tarty  of  twelve  men, 
under  ^Nlajor  Hart,  to  pursue  them.  Taking  the  Indian 
trail,  the  company  followed  it  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Jc^hns, 
t(Mi  miles  distant  froni  the  scene  of  the  attack.  The  build- 
ing had  been  reduced  to  ashes,  and  the  half-burned  body 
of  its  proprietor  lay  among  the  ruins.  !Mi's.  Johns  had 
been  scalped,  and  left  to  perish.  Befoi'e  their  departure, 
())ie  of  the  savages  set  fire  to  her  clothes,  but  she  manaszed 
to  extinguish  the  llame,  and  to  creep  away  from  the  burning 
building.  In  this  miserable  condition  she  was  discovered, 
lying  by  the  border  of  the  swamp,  and  kindly  cared  for. 

The  })erpetrators  of  this  outrage,  having  secured  good 
horses,  eft'eeted  their  escape. 

Before  the  end  of  this  month,  additional  forces  from 
'i'ennessee  wei'e  brought  into  Florida,  and  a  body  of  nearly 
a  thousand  Creeks,  led  by  the  Chiefs  Paddy  Carr  and  Jim 
Ijoy,  came  to  lend  their  aid  against  the  Indians  of  the  penin- 
sula. i\n  army  of  fi'om  one  to  tw(^  thousand  men,  includ- 
ing the  Tennessee  brigade,  under  Governor  Call,  marched, 


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13b 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


!  I 


ill  tlic  beginning  of  October,  to  the  deserted  Fort  Dranc, 
but  found  tint  the  Indians  had  recently  left  their  quarters 
Ai  that  neigh uorhond.  The  trail  of  the  fugitives  was  fol- 
lowed towards  tlie  Ouithlacoochec,  but  the  pursuit  of  sav- 
ages, in  their  own  country,  especially  in  such  a  country  as 
-Morida,  by  regular  troops,  encuihbered  with  baggage,  and 
ignorant  of  the  fastnesses  of  the  enemy,  proved  as  futile 
ill  that  instance  as  upon  former  and  subsequent  occasions, 
liittle  was  accomplished  against  the  enemy,  who  Avere  ena- 
1)1im1,  at  any  time,  to  retreat  beyond  the  reach  of  their 
jmrsuers,  and  only  showed  themselves  where  they  could 
attack  the  whites  at  a  disadvantage.  Under  existing  cir- 
cumstances, the  main  force  was  obliged  to  return  to  Fort 
Drane,  not  without  the  loss  of  a  great  number  of  their 
horses  fi'om  hard  service  upon  indillbrcnt  food. 

Colonel  Lane,  with  a  strong  foi'ce  of  Creek  Indians  and 
I'egiiiar  troops,  made  an  excursion  into  the  enemy's  countiy 
from  ^fampa  Bay,  during  the  early  part  of  this  month. 
Near  the  Ocklikany  Lake,  called  the  Spotted  Lake,  from 
the  great  number  of  small  wooded  iskinds  which  cover  its 
surface,  about  sixty  miles  from  Tampa,  an  Indian,  trail 
was  struck.     The  party  followed  tliis  track  to  the  sonth- 
M'ard,   and  came  successively  upon  sevei'al  considerable 
Inil.ian  villages  deserted  by  the  inhabitants.     Large  corn 
iields  were  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  these  settlements,  and 
st)nu'  hundreds  of  cattle  were  secured  by  the  Creek  Iiulians 
of  the  company.     At  one  advantageous  post,  where  the 
'tiiick  underwood  on  the  l)orders  of  a  small  lake  offered 
protection  to  an  ambush,  the  Seminoles  attempted,  unsuc- 
cessfully, to  resist  the  invaders.     They  were  driven  out 
into  the  open  cointry  and  dispersed.    Lane  and  his  detach- 
ment joined  General  Call  at  Foi't  Drane  on  the  19th.     lie 
survived  this  service  but  a  few  days,  being  found  in  his 
tent,  nearly  dead,  with  the  point  of  his  sword  thrust  into 
the  brain  over  his  eye:  there  was  little  doubt  among  those 


?'"'^"!fn 


FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


139 


I  i 

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conversant  with  the  circumstances  of  bis  dcatli,  Imt  that 
it  occurred  accidentally. 

Tlic  combined  army,  of  more  tlian  two  thousand  men, 
marched  to  the  Ouitlilacoochce  in  Novemhcr.  This  rc,i,non, 
which  had  l)een  a  favorite  resort  of  the  Seminoles  through- 
out the  war,  was  now  found  entirely  abandoned,  and  trails 
were  discovered  trending  towards  the  great  AVahoo  Swamp. 
That  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  had  moved  in  that 
direction,  was  also  afhrmed  by  an  old  negro,  found  at  an 
abandoned  village  on  the  river.  Taking  up  the  jiursuit, 
a  ])ortion  of  the  American  foi'ces  followed  the  trail,  and 
had  a  shar]i  engagement  with  the  Indians  on  the  border 
of  the  swamp.  'J'licre  was,  liowever,  abundant  sjiace  for 
the  fugitives  to  retrcdC  into,  where  the  whites  Avere  unable 
to  follow  them,  and  no  heavy  loss  occurred  on  either  side. 

Another  battle  toc^k  place  on  the  21st,  in  which  the 
Seminoles  disi)laved  more  resolution,  and  stood  the  char"'e 
oflne  ivgular  ti'oops  with  greater  firmness,  than  had  ever 
bi'fore  been  observed  in  them.  The  dangers  of  the  exten- 
sive morass  to  whieli  they  retreated  proved  more  insur- 
mountable tlian  those  attendant  upon  the  contest  with  the 
savages  <^hemselves. 

Provisi-tns  biMiig  ncai'ly  exhausted,  and  it  being  impos- 
sible to  ])r(K'ure  suppliers  in  such  a  wilderness,  the  ai'uiy 
])rocee(l(Ml  to  \'<ilnsi;i,  between  liake  Trcorge  and  Dexter's 
Lalce,  Thei'C  it  was  joined  by  General  Jessu]^,  who  had 
been  ap])ointed  to  I'.ie  chief  command  in  Florida,  with 
four  hundred  mounted  vohmteers  fi'om  Alabama. 


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INDIAN    KACES  l)F  AMKIMCA. 


CIIATTKU   VI. 

PURSUIT     OV     TIIIC     SE.MINOI.KS     Si  M'TII  W.V  i:  D ICNCOtlNTKIl     ON    THE 

IIATCIlKi:  LrSI'KK COMKIII-MI':  .\.M)li;l(K  Willi  TIIK  INDIANS 

KKNKWAL    OK    TIIK    TliKATV    OF     I'AVNk's     I.ANI)IN(; 

MOULKCT  ON  TIIK   I'AIIT  OK  Tlli;    INDIANS  'lO  COMPLY 
■\VITII   ITS  PROVISIONS — CArriJKi;,  SCRRI'.NDKR, 

AND  Ti;i;A('iii;i!ors  sKi/ri;i-;  ok  various 

ClIIKKS — I)I:ATII   of  OSri'.nl.A — COI.O- 
iNKL    TAVI.Or's    CA.MPAUiN. 

AVk  luive  ulreadj^givon  more  space  to  tlic  details  of  the 
Florida  campaign,  than  such  ill-advised,  ill-conducted,  and 
trivial  operations  deserve.  We  would  be  the  last  to  eii- 
de'avoi'  to  detract  from  the  deserved  laurels  of  many  of 
the  hrave  men  who  were  engaged  in  them,  Avhile  we  can 
l)ut  lament  that  their  lives  should  have  Ixhmi  sacrificed; 
less  by  the  weapons  of  the  savages  than  by  the  diseases 
of  the  eountrv;  that  the  imblic  monev  should  have  been 
squandered;  and  the  whole  jk'h insula  so  long  kept  in  a 
state  of  agitation  and  suspense,  when  pacific  measures 
might  have  kept  matters  comparativ(dy  at  res+. 

]')efore  the  first  of  January,  General  Jessup,  marching 
with  his  troops  from  Yolusia,  Avith  the  ciioperation  of  Colonel 
Foster,  dispatched  from  Tamjia,  ranged  the  Avhole  conntiy 
on  the  Ouithlacoochee  and  other  haunts  of  the  Seminoles, 
and  examined  the  deep  recesses  of  the  AVahoo  morass, 
without  finding  an  enemy.  The  Indian  trails  which  wei-e 
observed,  all  led  to  the  une\plor(>d  wilderness  of  the  south. 
'Jhither  lie  started  in  pui'suit  of  the  fugitive  Seminoles, 
on  the  22d  of  Janunry  (1<S;]7).  On  the  succeeding  day,  a 
detachment,  under  Colonel  Cawfield,  surjiriscd  Osuchee  or 
Cooper,  a  Seminole  chief,  th(>n  encamped  at  Ahapoi^ka 
Lake,  from  which  nows  the  Oeklawalui.     The  cliief  and 


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FLOlllDA    INDIANS. 


Ill 


several  of  liis  wari'ioi's  were  killi-il,  and  a  luunher  of  [n-is- 
onei's  ■wore  taken. 

'I'lie  main  avniy,  still  following  the  course  of  the  Indian 
track,  now  canio  to  the  hiiih  ridiie  of  sandv  hills  IviiiLJi; 
directly  south  of  Tiake  Ahapojika.  '^^Fhc  second  day  after 
l)assing  these  hills,  c;itllc  of  the  Indians  were  seen,  and 
shortly  after  a  scoutiipg  pnrty,  under  Colonel  Henderson, 
discoverc(l  tin?  enemy  npon  the  borders  of  the  stream  of 
Iliiteliec  Lustee.  The  troops  instantly  char<^cd,  and  drove 
lliem  into  the  swani]),  taking  twenty  or  thirty  prisoners, 
mostly  women  and  childivn. 

On  the  snme  day  another  large  body  of  Indians  was 
discovered  a  little  larther  to  the  westward,  who  fled  pre- 
ci])itntely  upon  the  approach  of  troo])S.  One  of  the  Semi- 
Tioles  was  foimd  wateliiiig  by  his  sick  wife,  who  had  been 
left  as  unable  to  ti'a\el.  ^I'his  Indian  was  sent  the  next 
morning  (January  2!Sth)  to  invito  the  Seminole  chiefs  to 
a  conference.  TIio  army  was  marched  to  the  border  of 
T()hopek>  'iga  Lake,  (into  which  empties  the  Ilatchee  Lus- 
tee Creek,)  and  encam})cd  between  its  waters  and  the  l>ig 
Cypress  swam}>,  to  await  the  return  of  the  messenger.  IIo 
made  his  ap})earancc  on  the  following  day,  bringing  intel- 
ligence fi'om  the  hostile  chiefs,  who  agreed  to  have  a  ])ar- 
ley.  The  lirst  wlu)  }uvsented  himself,  on  the  part  of  the 
Semiiiohv-,  was  Abi'aham,  Mioanopy's  negro  counsellor. 
Having  lield  a  consultation  Avith  General  Jossup,  he  rc- 
tui'iied  to  his  ]30()ple;  l)ut  three  days  after,  February  od, 
escorted  Jumper,  Alligator,  and  two  other  chiefs  to  the 
ctin}]).  It  was  concluded  that  a  grand  talk  should  be  held, 
and  a  new  treaty  entered  into  on  the  ISth  of  the  month, 
at  h'ort  Dado,  on  the  Lig  Ouithlacoochee.  To  that  estab- 
lishment the  ai'my  immediately  repaired,  as  it  was  agreed 
that  hostilities  should  be  suspended  until  after  the  council. 

On  th(>  8th  of  the  month,  several  hundred  Indians,  led 
by  riiilij),  the  chief  who  had  long  been  the  terror  of  the 


r.. 


.f,ki 


AV:' 


■^-'■\'.;  •..ill 


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U2 


l.NDrAX    ItACKS  OF  AMKllICA. 


n5 


I  'J' 


eastern  portion  of  tlic  pcnin-nl;!,  iitlacked  Colonel  Funning 
then  in  tlu^  occnpntictn  tA'  :i  sl.'ilion  on  l^iike  Moni'oi^,  with 
a  mixed  garrison  oC  i-f^iilai's,  Nolnntcrr;'  and  Creeks,  'i'lio 
Creek  ell iet'  Paddy  Carr  was  ol'tlie  e()in]iiiny.  'J'lie  assail- 
ants were  driven  off  with  loss,  and,  in  tiicir  retreat,  met 
a  messenger  sent  hy  Mieano])y  to  eonvey  intelligence  of 
the  trnee. 

Some  delavs  occurred  in  bringing  about  the  conference 
assigned  for  the  IStli,  but  at  last  most  oi'  the  principal 
Seminole  chiefs  signed  a  trealy  similar  to  that  of  Payne's 
Landing,  Avhcreby  they  agreed  to  remove  west  of  the 
Mississippi.  The  United  Slates'  goverinnent  was  to  make 
rennineration  for  the  stock  whi(;h  mnst  necessarily  be  left 
b(,'hind,  and  to  pa}'  stipulated  annuities  as  before  agi'ced. 
There  can  be  but  little  doubt  that,  even  on  this  occasion, 
the  Indians  had  no  real  intention  of  complying  with  the 
recpiisitions  of  government.  Few  came  in  on  the  days 
ap})ointed,  and  rumors  were  circulated  among  tluMu — • 
whether  actually  believed,  or  only  used  as  an  e.\eus(>  for 
absenting  themselves,  docs  not  appear— that  the  whites 
intended  to  destroy  the  whole  tribe  as  soon  as  they  should 
be  secured  on  board  the  government  vessels. 

Osceola  and  Coe  Ilajo,  still  pretending  that  their  endeavor 
was  to  collect  their  people  for  transportation,  held  a  great 
festival  or  game  at  ball  near  Fort  ^lellon,  upon  Lake  Mon- 
roe, at  the  eastern  part  of  the  peninsula.  They  doul)tlcss 
chose  this  place  for  gathering  their  followers,  as  being  at 
a  safe  distance  from  the  point  of  embarkation  on  Tampa 
Bay.  On  the  2d  of  June,  Osceola  took  two  hundred  of 
his  warriors  to  Tampa  Ba}',  and,  either  by  force  or  persua- 
sion, induced  the  old  king  Micanopy,  and  all  the  other 
Indians  who  had  rendezvoused  there  in  pursuance  of  the 
treaty,  to  move  off  again  to  the  wilderness. 

Hearing  of  this,  the  commandant  at  Fort  Mellon, 
Colonel  Harney,  made  up  his  mind  to  enti'ap  sm^li   of 


1  ; 


I  ! 


M 

I     I  In 


pr-=.T 


FLOUIDA  INDIANS. 


113 


the  cliiers  as  wore  in  his  vicinil\',  under  protonoo  of  a 
oonrcrenco;  and  rotaliato  n|)()ii  tliu  Scminoles  for  their 
bi'i'iuOi  of  faitli  at  Tarn])a,  by  S'  iziiii^  those  wlio  slioiihl 
a]i|)car.  Osceola  f^ot  wind  of  the  design,  and  it  conso- 
qiuMilly  ])rovcd  futih;. 

I<\)rt  Mellon  and  Volusia  were  abandoned  durinf^  this 
month;  the  sickness  attendant  n])on  the  season  having 
conuiienced  its  ravages  among  the  troops;  and  the  Indians 
were  left  free  to  I'oam  over  that  whole  portion  of  the  conn- 
try,  while  the  settlers  whoso  dwellings  \\-ovc  exposed  to 
their  assaults,  were  forced  to  fly  to  ])laces  of  protection. 

'^I'he  last  of  the  month.  Captain  W'idton,  Iceeper  of  the 
floating  light  on  Caryslbrd  reef,  was  killed,  together  with 
one  of  his  assistants,  at  Key  Lai'gos,  the  nuxst  consider- 
able of  the  ]''lorida  ]\eys.  lie  had  a  garden  at  this 
island,  and  had  j'nst  landed,  coming  from  the  light,  when 
he  and  his  party  were  iii'cd  upon.  The  whole  south- 
eastern sea-coast  was  then  in  undisturbed  possession  of 
the  liostile  Indians. 

In  Se})tcmber,  General  Hernandez,  stationed  at  Fort  Pey- 
ton, a  few  mil(!S  from  St.  Augustine,  made  an  expedition 
to  the  southward,  and  caj)tured.  the  dreaded  Philip,  Uchee 
Billy,  and  nearly  one  hundred  other  Indians  and  negroes. 
Pliili})'s  son  coming  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  St.  Augustine, 
was  taken  prisoner,  and  retained  in  captivity. 

Other  chiefs  and  warriors — among  them  Tustenugge — • 
delivered  themselves  up  at  Black  Creek,  and  several  cap- 
tures were  made  at  other  points;  but  the  most  important 
transaction  of  this  autumn — whether  justifiable  or  not — 
was  the  seizure  of  Osceola,  Alligator,  and  six  other  of  the 
leading  Scminoles.  They  had  come  into  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Fort  Peyton,  and  sent  word  to  General  Jessup 
tliat  they  desired  a  parley. 

General  Hernandez  wius  deputed  to  hold  the  conference, 
but  tl\,e  talk  of  the  Indians  being  pronounced  "evasive 


1 


.iJ*       ,-t.i!V« 


11 


....,«« 


■'.■'.«    li 


11 


INDIAN'    JtACKS  OF  AMK1{ICA. 


■I  ! 


:iiii1  uiisntisfiictorv,"  IIh^  (M)iinii;niilrr-iii-cliic('  (lisp.'ifclKMl  a 
luivc  to  ('aptiuHi  the,  wliolo  body;  tlicsc  cliii'l-  iifcoi'iliiigly, 
•\vitli  over  sixty  foUoTcrs,  fell  into  the  IiiiihIs  ol'  tlicir  cih^- 
lilies.  The  pxcuso  ,u'iv('ii  foi- this  act- \v;is  t!i;il  tln' tiviicjici'y 
cl'  tlic  liidiaDS  ii|)oii  roi'iiici' occasions  IkmI  (l('|iii\-c(l  tliciii 
of  all  claims  to  '^oin\  liiitli  on  the  ]>al't  of  th(!  whites. 
Osccdla  wiis  rcniovetl  to  Cliarleston,  ami  dieil  in  eonriiie- 
iiieiit  on  the  .'Idtli  of  .lannai'V,  IS.'JS.  If  he  had  snr\i\-e(l, 
he  Was  to  have  been  taken,  with  olhcr  Seminojcs,  to  tin; 
west  ol'  the  Mississippi. 

lu  the  same  month  various  other  ca])turt'S  W(>r(^  made, 
0  i  nn'Il  flic  Indians  in  l)onda,^'o  at  St.  Au.^'iistinc  nnmhei'cd 
nearly  one  liiiidred  and  lifty.  The  I7iiite(l  States  forces, 
eonsistin^<^of  regidars,  volunteers,  seamen,  and  Indian  allies, 
(list riluited  among  tlu' various  posts  in  Kloi'ida  at  this  tinn', 
are  set  down  at  littlt!  short  of  iiin(^  thousand  men! 

Sam  Jones,  or  Ahi.ica,  was,  after  the  eaptui'e  of  Osceola, 
one  of  the  most  i()rwai'd  of  the  Seminole  cliiels.  He  ;,p- 
licars  to  liaNC  been  spokesman  at  a  conference  ludd  not- 
fii"  from  this  timt>,  bt'tween  his  Li'iln"  and  de|inties  from 
the  (  ic"'^'  nation,  bearing  pro])osals  and  advit'e  from  their 
celebrated  chief  John  Ro^A.  " 

^\'e  must  next  ]iroi'ee(f  to  tlic  campaign  of  Colonel  Zach- 
ary  Taylor,  the  h«'i'o  of  many  battles,  and  afterwards  the 
distinguished  i'l'csldent  of  the  United  States  lie  left 
Foi't  (iardner,  a  station  sixty  miles  duo  cast  fi'om  Foi't 
r>rooke,  on  Tamjui  r>ay,  Avith  sonu;  six  hundred  troo}>s,  to 
follow  the  cnemv  into  their  hidden  retreats  at  the  south. 
Pursuing  tlio  conrso  of  the  Kissimec,  the  aiMiiy  had  ad- 
vanced within  fifteen  miles  of  the  great  lake;  Okeechobee, 
on  the  northern  borders  of  the  unexplored  everglades, 
when  intelligence  was  obtained  from  a  prisoner,  that  the 
Seminoles  Averc  encamped  in  force  on  the  eastern  shore  of 
the  Kissimec  lake.  With  a  portion  of  his  army.  Colonel 
Taylor  crossed  the  river,  and  hastened  to  attack  the  In- 


(Tt: 


FLOUIDA  INDIANS. 


I  If) 


1 


(liiUKS  in  the  hammock  wlicrc  they  wcro  posted.  Never 
before  had  the  Iiuliiin  rifles  done  more  detidly  exceuliini, 
and  never  hud  their  warriors  cvineed  more  dotermiind 
courage.  They  W(!re,  with  great  diniculty,  dislodged  and 
dispersed:  the  number  of  killed  and  wounded  on  the  part 
of  the  whites  eonsid(!ral)ly  exceeded  lii;it  of  tlie  ii>Uians, 
no  less  than  one  inindred  and  eleven  of  (\>1.  'J'uylor's  men 
being  wounded,  and  twenty-eight  killed. 


CIIAl'TER  VII. 

VARIOUS    MINOU    KNOACK.MKNTS — SURRENnKIl    OF    LARCfK    NUMHERS 

OF  INDIANS — CONTINUANCK  OF  DElMiKOATIONS lU-OOD-IlOlfNDS 

FROM  CURA AITACK  UPON  A  COMPANY  OF  ACTORS SEMINOLK 

CHIEFS  HROUGIIT  BACK  FROM  THE  WEST  TO  REPORT  THKIR 
CONDITION  TO  THEIR  COUNTRYMEN — COL.   HARNEY's 

EXPEDITION  TO  THE  EVERGLADES END  OF  THE 

WAR INDIANS  SHIPPED  WEST NUMBERS 

STILL  REMAINING  IN  FLORIDA. 

During  December  (1837),  several  encounters  of  minor 
importance  took  place  in  different  parts  of  the  country. 
Many  prisoners  were  taken  in  the  district  between  Fort 
Mellon  and  Lake  Poinsett,  near  the  head  waters  of  the 
St.  John's,  and  a  small  skirmish  occurred  as  far  north  ;is 
the  Suwanne.  Tliere  was  a  more  severely-contested  action 
near  Fort  I'Viining,  on  this  river,  early  in  January  (I808), 
in  which  the  whites  met  with  some  loss,  but  succeeded  in 
taking  a  number  of  prisoners. 

On  the  eastern  sea-coast,  not  far  from  Jupiter  Inlet,  a 

company  under  Lieutenant  Powell  was  worsted  in  an  en- 

sraGcment,  and  retreated  with  loss.     The  Indians  had  been 

di'iven  into  a  swamp  on  Lochahatchee  Creek,  wliore  they 

10 


I 


'Hi 


.V 


'•«:;;: 


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I  ■: 


146 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


1 1 
i 


made  a  spirited  resistance  until  their  pursuers  found  it 
necessary  to  retreat. 

General  Jessup  attacked  and  broke  up  this  encampment 
of  the  Indians,  towards  tlie  end  of  January.  Wg  was  him- 
self wounded  in  the  action.  Toskogcc  was  the  chief  who 
comuianded  the  Seminoles  in  both  these  battles. 

The  General  Avas  now  anxious  to  conclude  a  treaty  with 
the  Indians,  by  which  they  should  be  allowed  to  remain 
in  their  own  country,  confining  themselves  to  specified 
districts,  but  the  government  refused  assent  to  any  such 
proposition.  lie  nevertheless  proceeded  to  bring  about 
parleys  Avitli  his  savage  opponents,  as  it  was  evident  that 
desultory  hostilities  might  be  indefinitely  protracted. 

The  Seminoles,  miserably  reduced  by  the  troubled  life 
ilxay  had  led  so  long,  and  weary  of  profitless  warfiire,  hard- 
ship and  exposure,  were  induced  to  surrender  in  large 
numbers.  Tliey  aj^parently  expected  to  be  allowed  to 
remain  in  the  country,  as  they  were  assured  by  the  ofilccrs 
with  whom  they  treated,  that  every  endeavor  would  be 
made  to  procure  tliat  pcrniissiou  from  the  government. 

When  General  Jessup  left  Florida,  in  April,  1838,  leav- 
ing General  'J'aylor  in  command,  more  than  tvAO  thousand 
of  the  dangerous  tribe  were  in  the  power  of  the  wliites. 
Part  of  these  had  been  captured,  but  the  larger  portion 
had  delivered  then) selves  up  upon  fair  promises. 

Philip  and  Jumper  both  died  on  their  route  to  the 
west,  the  former  on  board  the  vessel  in  which  he  was 
embarked,  and  the  latter  at  New  Orleans. 

The  hopes  entertained,  after  these  events,  that  the  war 
was  substantially  at  an  end,  proved  fallacious.  Murders 
were  committed  during  the  summer  and  fall,  by  prowlinor 
parties  of  Indians  in  widely-distant  parts  of  the  count-^y. 
On  the  Ocklikoni  and  Oseilla  rivers  in  West  Florida, 
small  establishments  sufiered  from  the  depredations  of  the 
savages;  and  their  hostile  feeling  was  manifest  whenever 


'  i 


t'rTf?*^^ 


FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


147 


a  vessel  was  in  distress  upon  the  dangerous  eastern  and 
southern  coast. 

This  dcsuhory  warfare,  marked  by  many  painful  and 
horrible  details  of  })rivate  suffering  and  disaster,  continued 
until  the  spring  of  1839.  No  conference  could  be  obtained 
with  the  leading  chiefs,  and  Indians  were  every  where 
lurking  in  small  bands  ready  to  fire  upon  the  solitary  trav- 
eller, or  to  rush  at  an  unguarded  hour  upon  an  isolated 
plantation. 

General  Macomb,  who  had  command  of  the  army  during 
A2:)ril  and  May,  succeeded  in  bringing  about  a  parley  with 
some  of  the  Seminoles,  in  which  it  was  agreed  that  the 
tribe  should  stay  peaceably  in  Florida  until  intelligence 
could  be  brought  of  the  safe  arrival  and  prosperous  con- 
dition of  the  captives  already  shipped  westward.  The 
Tallahassee  chief  Tigertail,  and  Abiaca,  having  had  no 
concern  with  this  treaty,  refused  to  abide  by  it,  and  bloody 
skirmishes  and  assassinations  continued  to  be  heard  from 
on  every  side. 

The  government  of  Florida  now  offered  a  bounty  of 
two  hundred  dollars  for  each  Indian  secured  or  killed. 
We  cannot  even  enumerate  one  half  the  petty  engage- 
ments and  sanguinary  transactions  of  the  ensuing  winter 
and  spring.  In  March,  1810,  bloodhounds  were  brought 
into  l^lorida  from  Cuba,  to  aid  in  tracking  and  lerrcting 
out  the  savages  from  their  lurking  places.  General  Tay- 
lor had  been  authorized,  during  the  preceding  autumn,  to 
procure  this  novel  addition  to  the  efficient  force  of  the 
army,  and  natives  of  the  island  were  also  secured  to  train 
and  manage  the  dogs.  There  was  a  great  outcry  raised, 
and  perhaps  justly,  at  this  barbarous  plan  of  warfare,  but 
little  seems  to  have  resulted  from  the  operation  except  the 
furnishing  a  valuable  breed  of  the  animal  for  future  do- 
mestic use,  and  the  supplying  of  excellent  subject  matter  for 
the  caricaturists,  who  made  the  war  a  theme  for  ridicule. 


Kijii-  *■■■'  '.Ai 


m-*^ 


'li  .t 


i-'\ 


HI 


f^ 


i\  •; 


MS 


INDIAN  liAOKS  OF  AMI-UUOA. 


iHiforo  the  1st  of  June,  in.'iny  more  families  were  mas- 
fjuered,  and  several  bloody  cnga^i^emonts  oecurn^l  between 
comparatively  small  eom]>anies  of  whites  and  Indians. 
Near  the  eloso  of  May,  a  ludicrous  though  tragical  inci- 
dent took  place  on  the  road  between  J^icolata  and  St. 
Augustine. 

A  company  of  play-actors,  en  route  for  the  latter  town, 
were  set  upon  by  the  noted  chief  Wild  Cat,  Avith  a  large 
body  of  Indians.  Four  Avere  killed,  and  the  "j)roperty" 
of  the  establishment  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  savages. 
Nothing  could  have  delighted  them  more  than  an  acquisi- 
tion so  congenial  to  their  tastes.  The  tawdry  red  velvet, 
spangles,  and  sashes,  which  every  where  obtain  as  the  ap- 
j)ropriate  costume  of  the  stage,  were  now  put  to  a  new 
use,  and  served  as  royal  ap})endages  to  the  dusk-y  forms  of 
the  Seminole  warriors.  Decked  in  this  finery,  they  made 
their  exultant  appearance  before  Fort  Searle,  challenging 
the  little  garrison  to  an  engagement. 

The  month  of  August  was  marked  by  scenes  of  terrible 
interest.  On  the  Suwaune,  eleven  families  were  driven 
from  their  homes,  and  many  of  their  members  murdered: 
the  settlement  on  Indian  Key  was  almost  totally  destroyed, 
six  })ei'sons  bei'ng  massacred.  Nothing  was  accomplishcnl 
in  any  way  tending  to  liriug  the  war  to  an  end,  or  to  miti- 
gate its  horrors,  until  autumn. 

It  was  resolved,  at  last,  to  try  fair  measures,  since  fonl 
proved  of  so  little  avail,  and  a  number  of  the  principal 
Seminoles  who  had  experienced  the  realities  of  a  western 
life,  ajuong  wiiom  were  old  Mieanopy  and  Alligator,  were 
brought  back  to  Florida,  for  the  purpose  of  ]H)inting  out 
to  their  brethren  the  advantages  of  their  new  homes,  and 
inducing  peaceabU^  compliance  with  the  intended  removal. 
A  meeting  was  obtained  at  Fort  King,  early  in  November, 
with  Tigertail  and  other  Seminole  chiefs,  but  after  a  icw 
days  of  profitless  parley,  the  whole  of  the  liostile  party 


FLORIDA  INDIANS. 


1  t:i 


(lisnppearcd,  and  witli  thcrn  all  prospect  of  an  amicaltlo 
Bcttltutient  of  (lid'u'ulties, 

Tlio  Indians  continued  their  depredations,  murdcrinii; 
and  plundei'intij  witli  greater  boldness  than  ever.  In  Dc;- 
ccniber,  Colonel  Harney  attacked  the  enemy  in  (piarters, 
\vhieli  they  liad  till  then  occupied  in  undisturbed  security, 
viz:  tlic  islands  and  dry  s})()ts  of  that  waste  of  "grass- 
water,"  as  the  natives  term  it,  the  Kverglades.  Wv  had 
obtain(>d  Ji  negro  guide,  who  knew  of  the  haunts  of  the 
chief  C'haikika  and  his  })eo[)le,  and,  taking  a  considerable 
coni})any  ia  boats,  he  proceeded  to  beat  up  his  quarters, 
"^riie  l)arty  came  upon  the  Indians  most  unex])ectedly : 
Chaikika  was  shot  by  a  private  al'tei-  he  had  thrown  down 
liis  arms,  and  his  men,  with  their  families,  were  siirroundcMl 
and  taken  before  they  had  time  to  esca[)e.  Nitu;  of  the 
men  were  hanged!  on  the  ground  that  they  wcvo  concerned 
in  the  Fudiau  Kvy  massacre;  some  of  the  property  plun- 
dered on  that  occasion  being  fuund  in  the  camp. 

The  <->nly  other  im[)ortant  event  of  the  month  was  the 
surrender  of  a  sou  and  a  brother  of  the  old  and  implaca- 
ble chieftain  Tigertail.  They  delivered  themselves  up  at 
Fort  King.  In  Middle  l^'loi'ida,  travelling  continued  a-s 
unsafe  as  ever,  unless  in  well-armed  coin[)anies,  of  force 
sudicient  to  keep  the  lurking  savages  in  awe. 

We  have  now  chronicled  the  principal  events  of  this 
tedious,  harassing,  and  most  ex})ensivc  war.  llostilitits 
did  not,  indeed,  cease  at  the  period  under  our  present 
consideration,  but  a  knowledge  of  the  true  jtolicy  to  1)0 
pursued  towards  these  ignorant  and  truly  unfortunate 
savages  began  to  be  generally  difl'iised,  and  more  concili 
atory  measuivs  were  adopted, 

.John  C  Spencer,  Secretary  of  War,  in'^Novcrnbcr,  IS  12, 
rejioi'led  that,  dui'iiig  the  current  year,  four  hundred  and 
fdly  Indians  had  been  sent  west  of  the  Mississi])pi  from 
Vh^'ida,  r.nd  that  two  hundred  more  wt-re  supposed  to  have 


^i.'  till 
f 


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11 


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mKmM. 

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lifllnflHMW'iilw 

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yVABJ^^^Bi^9B«l  MmH 

'-'^'^'■^^ii'M 

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■  ■  ''iffl 

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i  (;> ;{;:,||M 

''■■■■•'  ■•-•v'^^''^ 

!(''!■    '.    -V     ' W' 

150 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


I    <i  .  1.1, 


suriendcred.  This  report  proceeds:  "The  number  of 
troops  has  been  gradaiilly  diminished,  leaving  an  adequate 
number  to  protect  the  inhabitants  from  the  miserable 
remnants  of  tribes,  still  remaining.  AV'e  have  advices  that 
arrai'igements  have  been  made  with  all  but  a  very  few  of 
those  Indians  lor  their  removal  west  of  the  Mississippi,  or 
to  tiie  district  in  the  southern  part  of  the  peninsula  assigned 
them  for  their  habitation ;  and  it  is  believed  that,  by  this 
time,  all  the  bands  north  of  that  district,  have  agreed  to 
cease  hostilities  and  remove  there.  Two  or  three  instan- 
ces of  outrages  have  occurred  since  the  orders  were  issued 
for  the  termination  of  hostilities,  but  they  are  ascertained 
to  have  been  committed  by  bau_-is  who  Avere  ignorant  of 
the  measures  ado})ted,  or  of  the  terms  ofTcred." 

Some  diihculty  arose  from  the  extreme  dislike  which 
the  Scminolcs  Y\'ho  were  moved  westward  entertained  of 
being  located  upon  the  same  district  with  the  Creeks,  and 
a  deputation  from  their  body  of  a  numbe*  of  A\'arriors. 
including  Alligator  and  AVild  Cat,  repaired  to  the  seat  of 
government  for  redress.  Measures  were  taken  to  satisfy 
them. 

The  Indians  who  still  keep  possession  of  a  district  in 
Soutliern  l^lorida,  consisting  of  Seminoles,  Micasaukics, 
Creeks,  LTchces  and  Choctaws,  are  variously  estimated  as 
numbering  from  three  hundi'ed  and  fifty  to  live  hundred, 
including  women  and  children.  Seventy-six  w^ere  shipped 
to  the  west  in  1850. 

As  a  tribe,  they  have  long  been  at  peace  with  their  white 
neighbors,  although  some  individuals  of  these  people 
have,  and  at  no  distant  date,  given  proof  that  the  spirit  of 
the  savage  is  not  yet  totally  extinct. 


:.X»-|.^.!rf^ 


W.  ■:  : 


il 


THE  INDIANS  OF  VlilGINIA. 


l! 


CHAPTER  1. 

EXPEDITION  OF  AMIDAS  AND  HARLOW — 01'  SIR  RICHARD  GRENVILLE 

OF   liARTIIOLOMKW  GOSxNOLL,  WITH   CAPTAIN   SMITH .SKTTL'.:- 

MENT  AT  JAMESTOWN VISIT  TO  POWHATAN — IMPROVIHENC; 

ANU  DIFFICULTIES  OF  THE   COLONISTS EXPLORATION  OF 

THE  CHICKAHOMINV SMITH  TAKEN    PRISONER HIS 

TREATMENT  XIV  THE   INDIANS. 

"lie  lived,  tlio  impcrsoiuitioii  of  ;ui  ago 
Tli;it  never  sli;ill  return.     His  soul  of  lire 
Was  kindled  by  tlie  breiitli  of  the  rude  times 
Ho  lived  in." — Bryant. 

The  most  complete  and  veracious  account  of  the  man- 
ners, appearance,  and  history  of  the  aboriginal  inhabitants 
of  Virginia,  particularly  those  who  dwelt  in  the  eastern 
portion  of  that  district,  upon  the  rivers  and  the  shores  of 
Clicsapeake  Bay,  is  contained  in  the  narrative  of  the  re- 
doubted Captain  John  ISniitli.  I'his  bold  and  energetic 
pioneer,  after  maii}^  "strange  ventures,  happ'd  by  land  or 
sea;"  still  a  young  man,  though  a  veteran  in  military  ser- 
vice; and  inured  to  danger  and  hardship,  in  battle  and 
captivity  among  tlie  Turk.^,  joined  his  Ibrtunes  to  tho.se  of 
Bartholomew  (J osnoll  and  his  party,  who  sailed  from  Eng- 
land on  the  IDth  of  December,  iOOO,  (0.  S.)  to  form  a 
settlement  on  the  Western  Continent. 

h\)riiier  atU^npts  to  establish  colonics  in  N'irginia  had 
teriuiiiutcd  disastrously,  from  the  gross  incompetence,  cx- 


t    .{ 


1^  ■>-«'''-■ 


I    i;>'j 


!  I 


IN'DIAN     liACKS   OK  AMKUICA. 


trMV;)!JC;inl   cxiu'.'l.ilioiis,   impfovi'liMicr,  ami  vil 
(I'U't.  of  Ih 


anourt  c.oii- 


ost^  cMiiraviMi  111  I liciii. 


In  1;)SI,  Sii'  W'altiM-  l>;il(i;'li  and  liis  assdciati'S,  uikIct 
;i  |)at('nt  IVoni  (.^hicon  l\li/.a!trtli,  had  sinil  out  two  ^-inaII 
v«'sst'ls,  ooniinandi'd  hv  Ainid.is  aiul  r.arlow.  \\\  llic  fir- 
cnilouH  vou\c  lluM  nsnallv  adt'plcd,  tlio  ('\|tKii'in-:  parlv 
passiMJ -flu'  ^\^-st  Indies,  t'casltMl  aloii;;' 1lu»  IVa^ranl.  slion-s 
o{'  l^'lorida.  and  (Mitercd  ()('rako1<('  Inlet,  in  tin*  nionlli  of 
dnlv,  (Miraptni\>d  with  thi>  rich  and  rniitl'id  appcafa 


!j      \hc  cHumtrv.      (iraju>s  i_;i'(>\v  to  the  veiv  Itoi'dei 


nee  (  m 


s  ol    I  wc  sea. 


o 


vovspi-eadin;;-  the  luishes  and  eliniluin^- to  the  ti>[)Sol"  trees 


1IK'(' 


in  luxurious  ahnnd, 

^riuar  inlei'eoursi^  v\ith  t1u>  nati\os  was  fViiMidlv  :ind 
]i(\uud'ul;  as  they  i\  lunird,  "a,  \\]o\v  kind,  lovinii;  people 
couKl  uo{  be'."  They  e:in-ied  on  fi'ad(>  and  hnrter  with 
(iran^aniineo,  brother  lo  AVinuinia,  kinij:  of  tlie  coniiti\-, 


(i     and  Avrre   i'o\  allv  onlei-tainod  bv  his  will 


he   island  nl 


l\oanoko 


W  in;r;indae(ia  was  llie  Indian  name  oC  the  eoiinlrv.  and, 


j     (Ml  tlie  relni-n  of  the  (Expedition,  in  the  tMisiiiii;:-  Septeml 
it  was  called  \'ire:iiiia.  in  iuMior  o['  the  iineen. 


Il 


ler.     I 


Sir   Kiehard  (iremill 


e,  an   ass(n'i;ile  ol    lialeiL'li,  vi> 


ited 


Vir,'j,-inia  t'le  next  ye;ir  (lo-^oX  and  left  ()ver  one  linndrtMl 
men  to  t'orin  a  S(  iK  nienl  at  l{o;inok('.  HeiiiL!,- disnppoinled 
in  their  antieipalious  y<\'  prolit.  oi-  nnwillinir  to  endni'e  the 
]>i'i\ations  I'.tUMulant   upon   tlie  S(ntlenuMit  of  a  habiiati(ni 


in    the  wiuliM'U 


ess.   ail    ;\ 


'tn)'n(Nl   within   a    \e;ii-.      A    most 


unjnsliliable  (Mitr;i':e  wns  eiMiimiited  h\  tin'  Mnulish  ol'  this 
}iart  .-,    on   one  (^f   their   explorin;;'    expeditions.       In    lh( 


1    ..       ! 


I  ! 


Words  of  tl'.e  old  narr;;tive,  ''At  .\i[naseoiroe  the  li;diaiis 
Ktole  a  t'ilver  cnp,  ivheretbre  we  l)i/ni(  ///<■  Toimc  uml  spi.t/ldj 
tia  ir  coi-Nc:  fio  vetui'iied  to  ou:'  llcolc  a!  '['(U'okon,"     This  ;iet 


IS  but  a  Ian' 


iKH'iiiien  (•!   ihe  manner  in  wluen  I'eo; 


•I'ss  lias    ;  I 


been  son_:jiit  Ibr  injuries  sust:iined  at  the  hands  oft  1 


le  n;iii\-e 


1 1     not  only  in  eai'Iy  times,  but  too  oft.'u  at  the  jn^e.^ent  d; 


i\' 


II 


il: 


I. 


.-^-^ 


{'■ 


<    i  I'  T.H  I  X    J  O  If  .V     .S  ,1/  /  ■/■  // , 


m 


1 


^s 


%' 


V  t 


■«':,    J: 


y :,  41 


M'.,'P^ 


:C^f 


W 


F 


Iki 


;i* 


:  I 


•■t»-T|irf^ 


■'V'^.;:"' 


;  I 
i  i 


INDIANS   OF   VIIUjINIA, 


153 


Tt  is  not  surprisitifj^  that  tlioroiifixT  tlic  rndians  Hlionld 
liavc  assuim^d  a  hostile  altitudcj  riranganiinco  "was  dcjid, 
and  Wiiri^inia,  who  had  now  taken  tlio  name  of  Peniissa- 
j)an,  loi'med  a  [)lan  to  cut  ofl'  these  disordei'ly  invaders  of 
liis  dominions.  'I'his  resulted  only  in  some  desultory  skir- 
mishing; and,  a  few  days  afterwards,  the  fleet  of  Sir  Fran- 
eis  Drake  appearing  in  the  oiling,  the  whole  colony  con- 
cluded to  return  to  J^]n[:'land. 

!Mr.  Thomas  Ilcriot,  whose  journal  of  this  voyage  and 
settlement  is  preserved,  gives  a  brief  aceonnt  of  the  super- 
stitions, customs,  and  manner  of  living  which  he  observed 
among  the  savages.  In  enumerating  the  animals  whi(;h 
were  used  for  food  by  the  Indians,  he  mentions  that  "tlu^ 
salvages  sometimes  killed  a  Lyon  and  cat  him  "  Jle  e<)ii- 
eludes  his  narrative  by  very  justly  remarking,  that  some 
of  the  company  "showed  themselves  too  furious  in  slaying 
some  of  the  pco])le  in  some  Townes  vpon  causes  that  on 
our  jiart  might  have  bin  borne  with  more  mildnesse." 

Grenville,  in  the  following  year,  knowing  nothing  of 
the  desertion  of  the  settlement,  took  three  ships  over  to 
Amei'iea,  well  furnished  for  the  support  and  relief  of  those 
wliom  he  had  left  on  the  preceding  voyage.  Finding  the 
})lace  abandoned,  he  left  lifty  settlers  to  reoceupy  it,  and 
]'(>turned  home.  On  the  next  arrival  fi'om  England  the 
village  was  again  found  deserted,  the  fort  dismantled,  and 
th(>  plantations  overgrown  with  weeds.  The  bones  of  one 
man  were  seen,  but  no  other  traee  appeared  to  tell  the  ftite 
ol'  tlu^  colony.  It  afterwards  ap[)earcd,  from  the  narra- 
tions of  the  savages,  that  three  hundred  men  {"vom  Atpias- 
cogoc  and  other  Indian  towns  had  nuide  a  descent  upon 
tlie.  whites,  and  massacred  tlu;  whole  numbiT. 

The  exp(U'inuMit  of  eoloni/ation  was  again  tried,  and 
again  fail('(l:  of  onim- one  hundred  persons,  ineluding  some 
females,  wIk^  landed,  none  were  to  be  f  )und  by  those  who 
went  in  search  of  them  in  lobO,  nor  was  their  fate  ever 


■     .1*'     -TlJ 


•■%  •,!' 


f 


I 


!  I 


I 


154 


INDIAN   HACKS  OF  AMKllICA. 


=1 


ascertained.  Tt  is  rceonlcd  that,  before  tlic  departure  of 
the  ships  tliat  brouglit  over  this  colony,  on  tlic  18th  of 
Auj^ust  (0.  S.),  tlic  governor's  daughter,  Ellinor  Dare,  gave 
birth  to  an  infant,  which  was  named  V^irginiu,  and  was  the 
first  white  child  l)oi"n  in  the  e(Mintry. 

AVc  now  return  to  (losnoll  and  his  companions,  num- 
bering a  little  over  one  hundred,  who,  as  wc  before  uw.n- 
tioned,  visited  the  country  in  160G.  They  sailed  from 
England  with  sealed  orders,  which  WTrc  not  to  be  ojiened 
until  their  arrival  in  America.  Landing  on  Cape  Henry, 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Chesapeake,  the  hostile  feelings  of 
th(!  Indians  were  soon  made  manifest;  "thirtie  of  the 
company  recreating  themselves  on  shore  were  assaulted 
by  fiue  Salvages,  wdio  hurt  two  of  the  ]*]nglish  very  dan- 
gerously." The  box  containing  the  orders  from  the  author- 
ities in  England  being  opened,  Smith  was  found  to  be  one 
of  th(!  number  a}>pointedas  a  council  to  govern  the  e<jlony; 
biiu  he  was,  at  that  time,  in  close  custody,  in  consetpiente 
of  sundry  absurd  and  jealous  suspicions  which  hail  been 
excited  against  him  on  the  voyage,  and  he  was  therefore 
refused  all  share  in  the  direction  of  the  i)ublic  aflairs. 
B'^forc  the  return  of  the  ships,  however,  which  took  place 
in  June,  the  weak  and  ill-assorted  colony  wcmc  glad  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  services  and  counsel  of  the  bold 
and  persevering  captain.  TTis  enemies  were  disgraced, 
and  his  authority  was  formally  acknowledged.  Meantime, 
the  settlement  was  commenced  at  Jamestown,  forty  miles 
up  the  Powhatan,  now  James'  river.  The  Indians  app»eared 
friendly,  and  .dl  hands  fell  to  Avork  at  the  innumerable 
occupations  which  their  situation  required.  A  i'cw  ruins, 
and  the  picturesque  remains  of  the  old  brick  church-tower 
still  standing,  utterly  deserted  amid  the  growth  of  shrubs 
and  wdllows,  are  all  that  remains  of  the  intended  city. 

Newport  and 'Smith,  with  a  company  of  twenty  men, 
were  sent  to  exploi'c  the  upper  portion  of  the  river,  and 


1 1 


I  ! 


:_„U 


LI 


T:   ' '  v>  -^if^f r*^ 


INDIANS   OF  VIUr.INIA. 


155 


nuulo  their  way  to  the  town  of  Powhatan,  sltuati'd  iqiou 
a  bluirju.st  below  the  Tails,  and  at  the  liOtid  oi'  navigation — • 
the  same  s[)ot  af'terwardH  chosen  fur  the  site  of  the  eajiiti)! 
of  the  slate.  I'he  natives  were  peaceable  and  kind  to  the 
adventurers,  receiving  them  with  every  demonstration  of 
interest  and  pleasure,  and  rejoiced  at  the  opportunity  Ibr 
trallic  in  beads  and  ornaments.  As  they  appi'oachcd 
Jamestown,  on  their  return,  they  perceived  some  hostile 
demoiiiiti'ations ;  and  arriving  there,  found  that  seventt'cu 
men  had  been  woumhid,  and  that  one  boy  had  been  killed 
by  the  Indians  during  their  absence. 

Winglield,  the  president  of  the  colony,  had  injudiciously 
neglected  to  make  any  secure  fortilicatious,  and  the  })eople, 
leaving  their  arms  stored  apart,  set  to  work  without  a 
guard;  thus  giving  to  the  lui'king  foe  convcuicnt  oppor- 
tunity for  an  assault. 

After  Captain  Newport  had  sailed  for  England,  the 
colonists,  left  to  tlicir  own  resources,  were  reduced  to  gri'at 
straits  and  pi'ivation,  !N[ost  of  them  were  men  iitlei'ly 
uniitted  for  the  situation  they  had  chosen,  and  unable  to 
endure  labor  and  hardship.  Feeding  ui;on  damaged  wheat, 
with  sucli  fish  and  crabs  as  they  couKl  catch ;  worn  out  by 
unaccustomed  toil;  unused  to  the  climate,  and  ignorant  of 
its  diseases;  it  is  miitter  of  little  wonder  that  iiftv  of  the 
company  died  before  the  month  of  OctoU'i'. 

femith,  to  whom  all  now  looked  for  advice,  and  who 
was  virtually  at  the  head  of  allairs,  undertook  an  cxjxdi- 
tion  down  the  river  for  purposes  of  trade.  I'^iiiding 
that  the  natives  "scorned  him  as  a  famished  man,"  (k  ri- 
sively  oll'ering  a  morsel  of  food  as  the  ])iice  of  his  aimis, 
he  adopted  a  very  common  ex])edient  of  the  time,  using 
Ibree  where  courtesy  availed  not.  After  a  harmless  dis- 
charge of  muskets,  he  landed  and  marched  uj)  to  a  village 
where  much  corn  was  stored.  He  would  not  allow  his 
men  to  jtl under,  but  awaited  the  expected  attack  of  tlic 


li:izizi: 


•«.»■  'I 


M 

mm 

1':    ..V 

I 

K 

'  '■•'  '■\'i*m 

'If; 

■■:irf 

r  ■!! 


,.;1| 


«•  ■: :. 


'.•i' 


i     ■  *  :i  1?  - 


•^   '^'M 


rr 


loO 


INDIAN    UACKa  OF  AMllKIOA. 


I'l 


I  I 


natives.  A  party  of  sixty  or  seventy  presently  appeared, 
"uiih  a  most  hideous  noise — some  bladv,  some  red,  some 
^vlli!(',  some  parti-eolored,  they  earne  in  a  square  order, 
singing  and  dauiieini^^  out  of  tlic  woods,  v/itli  their  Olvee 
(w  hi';h  was  an  Moll  inad(3  of  skinnes  stull'eil  with  niosse, 
all  painted  and  hung  with  eliaines  and  eoj-iper,)  borne 
before  them."  A  discharge  of  j)istol-shot  from  the  guns 
Beattered  them,  and  they  lied,  leaving  their  Olvee.  Being 
now  ready  to  treat,  their  image  was  restored,  and  beads, 
e()]i]ier  and  hatehets  were  given  by  Smith  to  tlieir  full 
satisfaetion,  in  return  for  provisions. 

The  im])rovid(!nt  colonists,  by  waste  and  inactivity, 
counteracted  the  efibrts  of  Smith:  and  AVinglield,  the 
former  ])resident,  with  a  number  of  others,  formed  a  plan 
to  seize  the  pinnace  and  return  to  I'lngland.  This  con- 
spiracy was  not  checked  without  some  violence  and  blood- 
shed. As  the  weather  jivqw  colder  with  the  chan'^e  of 
season,  game  became  fat  and  plenty,  and  the  Indians  on 
Chickahamania  river  were  I'uund  eag(;r  to  trade  their  corn 
lor  I'^nglish  articles  of  use  or  ornament;  so  that  aiUiirs 
began  to  look  more  })ros})erous. 

l)uring  tlie  ensuing  winter,  Smith,  with  a  barge  and 
boat's  crew,  undertook  an  ex])loration  of  the  sources  of 
tliL,  CliickalKunauia,  (Chickahominy,)  which  empties  into 
.JauK's'  rivci',  a  few  miles  above  Jamestown.  After  making 
his  way  for  about  lifty  miles  up  the  stream,  his  progress 
was  so  impeded  by  fallen  trees  and  the  narrowness  of  the 
channel,  lli:'t,  he  left  the  boat  and  crew  in  a  sort  of  bay, 
and  proceetled  in  a  canoe,  accom})anied  only  by  two  Kng- 
lishmen,  and  two  Indian  guides.  The  men  left  in  charge 
of  th(>  boat,  disregarding  his  orders  to  stay  on  board  till 
his  )-cturn,  were  set  U])()n  by  a  great  body  of  the  natives, 
and  one;  of  their  lumibci',  (jcorge  Cassen,  was  taken  pris- 
oner. Having  compelled  their  caj)ti\e  to  disclose  the 
intentions  and  j^osition  of  the  captain,  these  savages  pro- 


>v*iii- 


IN'DlANrt  OF  VlUlilMA. 


157 


cccdcd  to  put  liim  to  death  in  ;i  most  barbarous  niannor, 
severing  his  liiubH  at  the  joints  witii  shells,  and  burning 
them  before  his  f'aee.  As  they  (hired  not  attaek  tiie  armed 
company  in  the  boat,  all  liands  tluui  set  out  in  hot  })ursuit 
oi'  Smith,  led  ))y  ()})eehaneanough,  king  of  J\unaunkee. 

Coming  upon  the  little  party  among  the  marshes,  far  up 
the  river,  they  shot  the  two  Knglishmeu  as  they  were 
sleeping  by  the  eanoc;  and,  to  the  nundxT  of  over  two 
hundred,  surrounded  the  gallant  captain,  who,  accom})a- 
iiied  by  one  of  his  guides,  was  out'with  his  gun  in  seareh 
of  game.  BiucUng  the  ludiau  fast  to  his  arm,  with  a  gar- 
ter, as  a  protection  from  the  shafts  of  the  enemy.  Smith 
made  such  good  use  of  his  gun  that  he  killed  three  of  his 
lussailants  and  wounded  several  others.  The  whole  body 
stood  at  some  distance,  stricken  with  terror  at  the  unwonted 
execution  of  his  wea})on,  while  he  slowly  retired  towards 
the  canoe.  Unlbrtunately,  attempting  to  cross  a  cjcek 
with  a  miiy  bottom,  he  stuck  fust,  together  with  liis  guide, 
and,  becoming  benumbed  with  cold,  for  the  season  was 
unusually  severe,  he  threw  away  his  arms,  uud  surren- 
dered himself  prisoner. 

Delighted  with  their  ac(iuisition,  the  savages  took  him 
to  the  fire,  and  restored  animation  to  his  limbs  by  warmth 
and  friction.  I!c  immediately  set  himself  to  conciliate  the 
king,  and  presenting  hira  with  an  ivory  pocket  compass, 
proceeded  to  explain  its  use,  together  with  many  other 
scientitic  matters,  greatly  beyond  the  comprehension  of  the 
wild  creatures  who  gathered  around  him  in  eager  and 
astonished  admiration.  Perhaps  with  a  view  of  trying  his 
courage,  the}'  presently  bouiid  him  to  a  tree,  and  all  made 
ready  to  let  fly  their  arrows  at  .  an,  but  were  stayed  by  a 
sign  from  the  chief.  Thoy  then  carried  him  to  Orapaks, 
wdicrc  he  was  well  fed,  and  treated  with  kindness. 

When  they  reached  the  town,  a  strange  savage  danec 
was  performed  around  Opechancanough  and  his  o;i[)ii\c, 


M 


'in., 


i;**'' 


•H 


''•■:\M 


*.  ■■,'u   !-■■..  ■.'  <<J 


'■J  -:  i''  •  ^  r 


k 

_\ ' 

*:^ 

■  t  ■- 

■*. 

;-.ti 

'■;;■ 

^r 

^■>i 

"t'    f-^- 

.;( 

^^ 

-i   *. 


158 


IXDIAX  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


by  tlic  Avliolo  boilj  of  warriors,  firmed  fiiul  j)aint(.Hl;  wliilo 
the  women  and  children  looked  on  with  Avonder  and  ciii-i- 
osity.  '^riic  gaudy  color  of  the  oil  and  pocon(\>*  with  which 
their  bodies  were  covered,  "made  an  execcdiiiL;;  lia.udsomc 
t^how,"  and  each  had  "his  bow  in  his  hand,  and  th(>  skinnc 
of  a  bird  with  her  wings  abroad,  dryed,  tycd  on  his  head, 
a  pccco  of  copper,  a  white  shell,  a  long  feather,  with  a 
small  rattle  growing  at  the  tayles  of  their  snakes  tycd  to 
it,  oi"  some  sncli  like  toy." 

Althongh  the  Indians  would  not,  as  yet,  eat  with  their 
prisoner,  he  was  so  feasted  that  a  suspicion  arose  in  his 
mind  that  they  "would  liit  him  to  eat  him.  Yet,  in  this 
desperate  estate,  to  defend  him  from  the  cold,  one  Afocas- 
sater,  brought  liiin  his  gowne,  in  rcquitall  of  some  beades 
and  toyes  Smith  had  given  him  at  his  first  arrival  in  Vir- 
ginia." One  of  the  old  warriors,  whose  son  had  been 
wounded  at  the  time  of  the  capture,  was  with  difficulty 
restrained  from  killing  him.  The  young  Indian  was  at 
his  last  gasp,  but  Smith,  Avishing  to  send  information  to 
Jamestown,  said  that  he  had  there  a  medicine  of  potent 
clYect.  The  messengers  sent  on  this  errand  made  their  Avay 
to  Jamestown,  "in  as  bitter  weather  as  coul  1  be  of  frost 
and  snov,',"  carrying  a  note  from  Smith,  written  upon  "part 
of  a  Table  booke,"  Thev  returned,  brin<]cing  with  them 
the  articles  requested  in  the  letter,  "to  the  w^ondcr  of  all 
that  heard  it,  that  he  could  either  divine,  or  the  paper  could 
speake." 

A  })lan  Av  3  at  that  time  on  foot  to  make  an  attack  upon 
the  colony,  and  such  rcAvards  as  were  in  their  poAver  to  be- 
stoAV — "life,  liberty,  land  and  women" — Avere  proffered  to 
Smith  by  the  Indians,  if  he  would  lend  his  assistance. 

They  noAV  made  a  triumpjhal  progress  with  their  illus- 
trious captive,  among  the  tribes  on  the  Eappahanock  and 
Potomac  rivers,  and  clscAvhere;  exhibiting  him  to  the 
Youthtanunds,  the  Mattapamients,  the  Payankatanks,  the 


r;.—: 


irDIANS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


159 


Naiitaiiglitacuncls,  and  Onawmanierits.  Returning  to  Pa- 
maiinkec,  a  SDlcmn  incantation  was  performed,  ■with  a 
view  to  ascci'tain  liis  real  feelings  towards  tlieni. 

Having  seated  liim  upon  a  mat  before  a  fire,  in  one  of 
the  larger  cabins,  all  retired,  "and  presently''  came  skip- 
ping in  a  great  gi-im  IMlow,  al)  painted  over  with  coal 
mingled  with  oyle;  and  many  Snakes  and  Wesels  skins 
stulled  with  mosse,  and  all  their  tayles  tied  together,  so  as 
they  met  on  the  crowne  of  his  head  in  a  tassell ;  and  round 
about  the  tassell  was  a  coronet  of  feathers,  the  skins  hang- 
ing round  about  liis  head,  backe  and  shoulders,  and  in  a 
manner  covered  his  face;  with  a  hellish  voycc  and  a  rattle 
in  his  hand."  He  sprinkled  a  circle  of  meal  about  the 
fire,  and  commenced  his  conjuration.  Six  more  "such  like 
devils,"  then  entered,  fantastically  bedaubed  with  red 
"^lutchatos"  (Mustaches)  marked  upon  their  faeces,  and 
having  danced  about  him  for  a  time,  sat  down  and  sang 
a  wild  song  to  the  aecom})animent  of  their  rattles. 

The  chief  conjuror  next  laid  down  five  kernels  of  corn, 
and  iiroceeded  to  make  an  cxtravasjrant  orati(jn  with  such 

J.  o 

violence  of  gesture  that  his  veins  swelled  and  the  perspi- 
ration started  from  his  body.  "At  the  conclusion  they 
all  gave  a  short  groane,  and  then  laid  down  three  grains 
more."  The  operation  was  continued  "till  they  had  twice 
incirculed  the  fire,"  and  was  then  varied  by  using  sticks 
instead  of  corn.  All  these  performances  had  some  mystic 
signification,  wdiich  was  in  part  explained  to  the  captain. 
'J'hrce  days  were  spent  in  these  wearisome  barbarities, 
each  day  being  passed  in  fasting,  and  the  nights  being  as 
regularly  ushered  in  with  feasts.  Smith  was,  after  this, 
entertained  with  the  best  of  cheer  at  {he  house  of  Opitcha- 
pam,  brother  to  the  king,  lie  still  observed  that  not  one 
of  the  men  would  eat  with  him,  but  the  remains  of  the 
feast  were  given  him  to  be  distributed  among  the  women 
and  children. 


I  ! 


!  i 


ii 


i''m  ^'^^ 


160 


INDIAN   KACES  OP  AMKIHCA. 


ITc  was   here   shown  a  bag  of  gunpowder,   carefully 
preserved  as  seed  against  the  next  planting  season. 


U: 


CHAPTER  II. 

COURT  OF  POWHATAN SMITIl's    PUKSKHVATION  BY  POCAHONTAS 

SUPPLIES  FURNISHED  BY  THE  INDIANS NKWFORT's  ARlilVAL 

smith's  expeditions  up  THE  CHESAPEAKE. 

The  groat  monarch  of  the  country,  Powhatan,  at  this 
period,  was  liolding  his  court  at  Werowoconioco,  on  the 
left  bank  of  York  river,  and  thither  Smitli  was  conve)'ed 
to  await  the  royal  pleasure.  The  reception  of  so  import- 
ant a  captive  was  conducted  with  suitable  solemnity  and 
parade.  Powhatan  sat  u])on  f\  raised  seat  before  a  lir(>,  in 
a  large  house,  clothed  with  a  robe  of  racoon  skins,  the 
tails  hanging  in  ornamental  array.  Ue  was  an  old  man, 
about  sixty  years  of  age,  of  noble  figure,  and  that  c/'m- 
inanding  presence  natural  in  one  born  tC'  rule  with  undis- 
puted authority  over  all  around  him.  A  young  girl  sat 
on  each  side  of  the  king,  and  marshalled  around  the  room 
were  rows  of  warriors  and  women,  bedecked  with  beads, 
feathers  and  paint. 

Smith's  entrance  WiLS  hailed  by  a  shout;  tlie  queen  of 
Appainatuck  brought  him  water  to  wash,  and  he  was 
magnilicently  entertained,  as  a  distinguished  guest  of  the 
king.  The  strange  scene  which  ^nsued,  so  replete  Avith 
pathos  and  poetic  interest,  must  be  given  in  the  simple 
language  of  the  old  historian. 

llaviiig  ended  his  rcp:ist,  "a  long  consultation  was  held, 
but  tlie  conclusion  was,  two  great  stones  were  brought 
before  Powhatan:  then  as  many  as  could,  layd  hands  on 
him,  dragged  him  to  them,  and  thereon  laid  his  head,  and 


I 
I- 


r  •  ^'",!      -■•  I  fa 


■J< 


■f.  i  '     :i 


^i''    '1 


# 


I  '3 


'►if  te 


si 


i:^''':  llJ; 


^ly '  '.^  «i: 


^'?'iiii 


^ 

j£l 

♦O'     .- 

.;   '..i'i 

1 

."■  ■»'    '  *. 

'  »•     ''^^    " 

■        ■          ■  f .      .    . 

^S 


a  I/O  luv  n 


I9i. 


r  (ic.i  HOyVT.'i  >>    i.virn  I'os  i.vo    for    cjiptaij^  smitm. 


p: 


!l 


!l 


IXDIANS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


101 


bcin^j  ready  with  tlieir  clul)s  to  boatc  out  liis  braiiics,  Po- 
caliontas,  the  king's  doM'cst  diaiglitcr,  wlieii  no  intreaty 
could  prcvailc,  got  lii.^  licad  in  licr  annt>s,  and  laid  lier 
owno  vpon  liis  to  sauc  liitn  from  death:  whereat  the  Imii- 
peroiir  was  contented  he  should  line  to  make  him  hatcliets, 
and  her  l;ells,  Leads  and  copper;  for  they  thought  him  as 
well  of  all  occupations  as  themsclues.'' 

The  worthy  cajjtain's  own  rhymes  describe  his  appear- 
ance and  state  of  mind  at  this  crisis: 

"Tiioy  s'ly  h{\  l)ore  a  ]iU'as;iiit  show,  but  sure  his  liciirt  was  sad; 
Fur  who  can  plwusant  bu  iiml  rest,  that  Hues  in  fear  and  dread?" 

Phitertaining  hJs  captive  as  a  privileged  guest,  Powhatan 
now  held  long  consultations  with  him,  giving  wonderful 
accounts  of  the  vast  western  cou'.tiv  and  its  inhabitants. 
Smitli  ^ '^sponded  with  details,  ecpially  amazing  to  the  sav- 
age niv  narch,  of  the  jjower  and  magnificence  of  the  East. 
Alter  two  days  of  friendly  intercourse,  Smith  was  informed 
that  he  should  return  in  safety  to  Jamestoyn;  but  as  a 
prelude  to  the  conveyance  of  this  satisfactory  intelligence, 
Powhatan  was  at  much  pains  to  get  up  a  theatrical  scene 
that  should  im})ress  or  terrify  his  prisoner.  Left  alone  in 
a  large  cabin,  Smith's  ears  were  saluted  by  stra)'ige  and 
frightful  noises  from  behind  a  mat  partition,  and,  inconti- 
nently, Powhatan,  with  some  hundreds  of  attendants,  all 
like  himself,  in  hideous  disguises,  made  his  appearance. 
He  appointed  twelve  Indians  to  guide  him  to  the  settle- 
ment, requesting  that  a  grindstone  and  two  great  guna 
should  be  sent  back,  by  them,  in  return  for  liberty  and 
favours  received  at  his  hands. 

Captain  Smith,  well  knowing  the  capricious  disposition 
of  his  captors,  felt  little  security  or  ease,  until  he  was 
safely  restored  to  his  companions  at  Jamestown. 

His  absence  had  been  severely  felt:  confusion  and  dii<- 
sension  wore  rife  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  colony,  and 
11 


-?l 


162 


INDIAN  RACES   OF  AMERICA. 


|«i^ 


I  i 
I! 


the  strong  arm  and  Jotcnnincd  will  of  the  bold  captain 
wore  re(|uiivd  to  \svv[)  cnlor,  ;uid  restrain  those  who  v/ere 
again  inclined  to  eficet  an  ost-ape  in  the  pinnace. 

The  two  guns  (denu-eulvrrJns),  together  with  a  mill- 
stone, were  brought  out,  and  prollered  to  the  guides;  but, 
seeing  tlie  terrible  eil'ect  of  a  discharge  of  stones  among 
the  l)ranchcs  of  an  iee-eo\  ei'c'd  tn.'e,  the  ])oor  savages  wei'e 
greatly  tei'J'iile<l,  and  lliankfully  accepted  divers  toys  in 
place  of  so  weighty  and  dangerous  a  |)rcsent. 

So  jvduced  were  the  settlers  at  this  time,  that  all  must 
have  jierished  with  starvation  but  for  the  intercourse 
established  by  Smith  between  them  and  the  people  of 
Powhatan.  Ii^verj  four  or  five  days,  his  noble  and  gener- 
ous little  protectress,  Pocahontas — she  was  then  only  about 
ten  years  of  age — would  make  her  a})pearanee,  accompa- 
nied by  attendants  laden  v.'ith  provisions.  Part  of  these 
su]i})lies  came  as  presents  from  the  king  or  his  daughter; 
lor  the  rest,  the  price  paid  in  toys  and  articles  of  use  was 
left  entirely  at  Smith's  discretion,  "so  had  he  inchanted 
these  poore  soules,  being  their  prisoner." 

Cajitaiiis  Newport  and  Nelson  now  arrived  from  Eng- 
land. Avith  two  shijis,  laden  ^vith  necessaries  and  articles 
of  traflic.  Eejoiced  at  the  arrival  of  friends  and  provi- 
sions, the  colonists  allowed  the  sailors  to  hold  what  intet- 
course  they  })leascd  with  the  natives,  and  the  consequence 
was  that  the  market  A\as  sooii  spoiled  by  the  irregularity 
of  prices  oft'ered  by  the  English  for  the  Indian  commodi- 
ties. Smith  had  poscessed  Powhatan  and  his  people  with 
exti'a  i'gant  ideas  of  the  power  and  majesty  of  Newport, 
whose  speedy  arrival  he  ureji'-.tc,^,  a,  ""^  preparations  were 
now  made  to  give  a  still  jnoix^  forciide  impression.  Mes- 
sengers were  sent  to  inform  tlie  India:),  mon.arcli  that  the 
great  captain  of  the  seas  had  reached  Jamestown,  and 
would  make  a  visit  of  state  to  his  royal  friend  and  ally. 
The  pinnace  was  made  ready  for  this  purpose,  and  "a  gTeat 


INDIANS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


163 


covle  there  was  to  set  him  fonvard."  When  they  had 
arri\'od  at  AVerowocomoco,  Newport  was  wary  and  cau- 
tious, fearing  treachery  on  the  part  of  the  savages,  and 
Smitli  ihcrefore  volunteered  to  go  forward,  with  a  small 
company,  and  sec  that  the  coast  was  clear.  Over  the 
creeks  A\hich  meandered  through  the  marshy  country, 
bridges  were  found,  Init  of  so  frail  a  structure,  being  com- 
posed  of  poles  bound  with  bark,  that  some  suspicions 
were  entei'tained  that  they  might  be  intended  as  traps. 
Smith  therefore  kept  some  of  the  chief  Indians,  who 
actcl  f.£  guides,  in  the  midst  of  his  compan}',  for  security 
against  attack. 

All  their  suspicion  proved  groundless:  Pov.diatan  re- 
ceived the  officers  with  the  greatest  distinction,  entertained 
them  hospitably,  and  celebrated  their  coming  with  feasts 
and  dances.  The  great  king  "carried  himself  so  proud'y 
yet  discreetly  (in  his  salvage  manner)  as  made  all  admire 
his  naturall  gifts."  lie  declined  any  petty  tiaffic,  but 
requested  Newport  to  bring  forward  at  once  all  the  goods 
that  he  had  brought  for  trade,  expressing  his  willingness 
to  give  full  return.  His  desire  was  complied  with,  New- 
port wishing  to  outdo  the  king  in  generosity  and  show  of 
munificence;  but  the  result  hardly  equalled  his  expecta- 
tion, for  tlic  cunning  savage,  says  the  narrator,  "valued 
his  corne  at  such  a  rate  that  I  think  it  better  cheape  in 
Spain."  A  few  blue  beads  in  the  possession  of  Smith  now 
caught  the  eye  of  Powhatan,  and  aroused  his  curiosity  and 
avarice.  The  wary  captain  pretended  to  be  loth  to  part 
witli  them,  as  being  of  a  "most  rare  substance  of  the  colour 
of  the  skyos,  aiul  not  to  be  worn  but  by  the  greatest  kings 
in  the  world.  This  made  him  half  madde  to  be  the  owner 
of  such  strange  Jewels,"  and,  to  obtain  them,  he  readily 
paid  an  immense  quantity  of  corn,  esteeming  himself  still 
the  gainer.  The  trade  in  blue  beads,  after  this,  became  a 
royal  monopoly. 


* 


-■.  "in 

.A'  ■  t    :hi 

h  ■■.  ■  'Vii 


TF^^ 


i^^ 


'     •'-i«ff*l. 


'K' 


' '  ' ' , 


■  -i 


llM 


~r"n 


164 


INDIAN    IIACK.S   OF    AMKKICA. 


The  .party  rot nriKnl  to  Janiostown;  but  on!}  to  oxpori- 
cnce  grdutcr  privatioti  ami  liiirilsliip  lliaii  ever. 

I'liotown  took  i\ri\  and  niiu-li  ol"  their  provisions,  clotli- 
inp:,  and  otlu^r  Thoaiis  of  coinloi't  was  dcsti'ovcd.  'Idic 
wintor  was  bitt(M']_y  cold,  and  ni^u-ly  tlu;  whole  coloiiv', 
together  with  the  crowds  of  tho  sliips,  W{>r(^  j-ossesscd  with 
an  insane  desire  to  search  for  gold,  to  the  negli'ct  ol'  the. 
labors  necessary  to  secure  health  and  prosperity.  From 
these  causes  more  than  hall'  thfMr  imnihcr  j)erishcd. 

The  Indians,  "ing  their  weakness,  became  insolent  and 
exacting,  and,  but  for  Smith,  whose  ])rompt  and  energetic 
action,  without  actual  bloodsh(Ml,  subdued  and  brought 
them  lO  terms,  they  might  have  com])1etely  overawed, 
and  perhaps  have  extirpated  the  colony.  'i'h<5sc  whcmi 
tiio  English  took  prisoners  insisted  thtit  tho  hostihtii^s 
were  in  acconhmce  with  the  orders  of  Powhatan:  but 
he,  ^Ti  the  other  hand,  averred  that  it  was  t!ie  work  iA' 
some  of  his  unruly  subordinates.  Tho  comMliatory  mes- 
sage Avas  brought  by  "his  dc;u'(>st  daughter  Pocahontas." 
whose  appearance  ever  had  tlie  most  ])()tent  inlhicncc  with 
the  brave  man  for  whom  she  felt  such  lilial  attachment, 
and  Avho  Wivs  bound  to  her  by  every  tic  of  gratitude  and 
aflcctiou. 

Upon  the  2d  of  June,  1!'<^8,  Captain  Smith,  with  four- 
teen companions — one  half  "gentlemen,"  the  rest  "sol- 
diers"— undertook  his  celebrated  cx])loratiou  of  Chesa- 
peake Bay.    Their  conveyance  was  a  large  opiMi  barge. 

They  first  shaped  their  course  for  the  isles  lying  off 
Cape  Charles,  still  known  as  Smith's  Isles,  ami  thence 
reentered  the  bay.  Passing  Ca])e  Charles,  they  saw  "two 
grim  and  stout  salvages,"  armed  with  boncdicadcd  lances, 
who  fearh^ssly  questioned  them  as  to  wdienco  they  came 
and  whither  they  were  bound.  They  were  subjects  of 
the  Werowance  of  Vccomack,  on  the  east(Tn  shoix^  of 
the   l)ay;    and,   beir-.g    kindly  entreated,    n>s]^ond^•d    with 


'^Fl 


INDIAN^  OF  vrumxiA. 


h.) 


e(|u;il   civilitv,  iirul   directed  the   Kni'lisli  to  their   kinji^'s 
liead-quarters. 

'I'liey  ((Miiid  t\\o  ehief  to  \)o.  tlio  "cornliest,  proper,  civill 
.siiV!i<fe"  that  tlii'v  liad  ever  hehl  conunuiiion  with.  Jle 
gave  a  iiidst  singular  aecount  of  a  pestilence  which  had 
not  long  before  carried  oil'  the  greater  portion  of  his  peo])le. 
Two  chihh'eii  hail  died,  ])robal)ly  of  some  infectious  (hs- 
cnse,  and  "some  extreame  passions,  or  dreaming  visions, 
})hantasies,  or  alfection  moucd  their  parents  againe  to  revisit 
their  dead  earkas(\s,  whose  bennnuned  bodies  reflected  to 
the  eyes  of  tlie  beholdei's  such  delightfuU  countenances  as 
though  they  liad  regained  their  vitall  spirits."  Great 
crowds  gathered  to  sec  this  spectacle,  nearly  all  of  whom, 
shortly  after,  ditMl  of  some  unknown  disease. 

IMiese  Indians  spoke  the  Powhatan  dialect,  and  enter- 
tained Smith  with  glowing  descriptions  of  the  beauties 
and  advantages  of  the  bay,  to  the  northward.  Proceed- 
ing on  tlieir  voyage,  the  navigators  cnter(>d  the  river  of 
AVighcocoinoco,  on  the  eastern  shore,  where  the  inhabit- 
ants exhibited  great  rage  and  hostility,  but  perceiving  that 
no  harm  was  intended  them,  with  true  savage  caprice,  fell 
to  dancing  and  singing,  in  wonder  and  merriment  at  the 
novel  spectacle.  No  good  water  was  to  be  obtained  here, 
an<l  Smith  with  his  cw.w  made  short  tarrying.  Still  coast- 
ing along  the  eastern  jxirtion  of  the  bay,  they  reached  the 
Cuskarawfiok,  where  great  troo])s  of  savages  followed  them 
along  the  bank,  climbing  into  the  trees,  and  discharging 
their  arrows  with  "the  greatest  passion  they  could  ex- 
prcsse  of  their  anger."  As  the  party  could  not  by  signs 
give  them  to  understand  that  they  came  peacefully,  a  dis- 
charge of  pistol-shot  was  directed,  which  produced  the 
usual  cHect,  scattering  the  Indians  in  every  direction.  On 
landing,  not  a  native  eoidd  l)e  found:  the  English  there- 
fore left  a  few  beads,  bells.  lookino;-irlasses,  and  bits  of 
co])per  in  the  huts  and  returricd  on  board  their  barge. 


•  •  1 


■ ,'  *«.' 


:%.\     ■  ''i 


»..'  • 


'■M 
if 


'  ^  m 


■■>..  ft 


f^'- 


.  i 


'* 


160 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMEUICA. 


Next  morninf:;  tlie  poor  simple  savages,  dismissing  all 
fear,  gathered  round  thcni  to  the  number,  as  ap})eared,  of 
two  or  three  thousand,  eager  to  oiler  whatever  was  in  llieir 
power  to  bestow  for  "a  little  bead"  or  other  trivial  tov. 
These  people  were  tlie  Sarapinagh,  Nause,  Arscek,  and 
Mantaquak,  and  they  showed  sueh  readiness  to  trade,  that 
Smith  pi'onouneed  them  the  "best  marehants  of  all  other 
salvages."  They  gave  wonderful  aeeounts  of  the  power- 
ful and  warlike  Massawomckes,  who  lived  to  the  noi'tli- 
ward,  and  were  idcntieal  with  the  Iroquois  or  Six  Nations. 

Some  of  the  erew  I'alling  siek,  and  the  rest  beeoming 
weary  and  diseontented  with  their  unaecur.tomed  fatigue 
and  exposure.  Smith,  mueh  against  his  inelination,  turned 
towards  home,  "leaving  the  bay  some  nine  mile.-,  broad, 
at  nine  and  ten  fadom  water."  Entering  the  Potomac,  on 
the  10th  of  June,  it  was  determined  to  exi)lorc  it,  as  the 
siek  men  had  recovered.  No  Indians  were  seen  until  the 
company  had  })assed  thirty  miles  up  the  river;  but,  ar- 
riving at  a  creek  in  the  neighborhood  of  Onawmaniont, 
"the  woods  were  layd  with  ambuscade's,  to  the  nundier 
of  three  or  foure  thousand  salvages,  so  strangely  paynted, 
grimed  and  disguised,  shouting,  yelling  and  crying  as  so 
many  sj^iiits  fi'om  hell  could  not  have  shewed  more  terri- 
ble. Many  brauado's  they  made,"  but  a  discharge  of  bul- 
lets, over  the  surface  of  the  water,  quickly  changed  their 
mood.  Arms  were  flung  down,  hostages  given,  and  court- 
esy and  kindness  succeeded  the  truculent  demeanor  which 
was  first  exhibited.  By  the  account  of  the  Indians,  Pow- 
hatan had  directed  this  intended  attack;  and,  if  their  re- 
presentation was  ti'ue,  he  was  stimulated  to  such  a  course 
by  sundry  of  Smith's  enemies  at  Jamestown. 

The  boat's  crew  made  their  way  as  far  u])  as  the  river 
was  navigable,  encountering  various  other  ti'ibes,  sonnj  of 
wdiom  were  friendly,  and  others  hostile.  The  thunder  of 
the  English  weapons  never  i'ailed  to  awe  and  subdue  them 


INDIANS   OV  VIlldlNIA. 


1<'.7 


Kv(M'  liiiiikeriipj;  mHi'I"  llic  jirccioiis  inctiils,  llic  iHlscnturcrH 
wero  atli'jH'fctl  by  ;>"lilUTiiij^  j.iii'tirli's  in  tlif  l>i'il  ol'  viirioiis 
stiviiiiis;  nii^l,  iu;ikiii,L''  itu  consl.'iiit  nliji-ct  <>('  iii'[iiii'y,  tlicy 
Vi'L'W  led  by  soiiio  Iiitliaiis,  stil>j.'ct  Ik  tlw  kin  r  of  l';it;i\v- 
Oiuokc,  U)  ;i  iioU'd  mine,  on  l!u'  liltle  sIp:imi  nl"  (^>ni<'ii;.'!i. 
It  was  on  a  I't^-l^y  inonn!,  anJ  llu'  mahtial  so  in'ht,  wlirn 
dug  (tnl  with  slirlls  and  liatclicts,  .-iiarkl-d  lik''>  aiilinionv.  jj 
'^riic  Indians  wcu;  afciL-lonu'd  lo  \\a^ll  and  rk'ansc  it,  and  I 
tlu'ii,  putlin,!^"  it  in  small  baL;;s,  ".-rll  it  all  mu'r  llif  ('(Hiniry,  ' 
to  ))aint  tlit'ir  liodycs,  laces  or  iilolls;  wliieli  maile  llicm  |, 
looke  like  lUaekamoi n'cs  dustcil  ()\i'r  willi  silner."  New-  |! 
])()!'tassei'ted  that  the  eoulenls  ()['  .-oiikmiI'  those  bail's,  wlnii  '{ 
assayed  in  l'ai<:land,  jn'ii\  cd  to  be  e.\ece(lin,!.;lv  rifh  in  silvtr;  ,  j 
but  all  that  Smith  and  his  mm  co'iU'ctiMl  was  worthless.  ' ' 

(.)n  the  way  lowai'ds  Jamestown,  as  the  liar^e  lay  in  Ij 
slioal  walfi',  the  crew  amused  tin  uiseKi-s  by  sprafin;.;,'  lisli, 
Avhieli  Were  execedingly  plenty,  (^iplain  Smith,  nsin^r  his 
sword  for  this  pur|)OSe,  (bvw  up  a  lish,  ("not  knowing'  hrr 
condition,)  being  niiieli  of  the  iiishiou  of  a  Thornbai-k. 
but  a  long  tayle  like  a  riding  rodde,  wheieon  the  middcst 
is  a  most  ]toysoned  sting,  of  two  or  ihi'ec  inehes  long, 
beareled  like  a  saw  ou  each  side,  whieh  she  struek  into  the 
wi'ist  of  his  armc  iieare  an  ineli  and  a  halfe."  ^Idie  swelling 
and  i)ain  eonscquent  upon  this,  were  so  gi'eat  that  tln^ 
biave  eaptaip,  despairing  of  reeovrry,  ordered  his  own 
gi'ave  to  be  ilug;  wdiieh  was  acconlingly  done  on  a  neigh- 
boring iskuuk  His  time,  Iiowcnci',  had  not  yet  eonie:  tho 
phvsieian  of  the  })arty  succeeded  in  relie\  ing  him,  inso- 
much that,  that  very  night  "lice  ate  of  the  llsh  to  his 
supper." 

As  they  returned  to  tlieir  old  (piarters,  the  Indians 
judged  from  their  aj^pearanee  that  they  had  been  engaged 
in  notable  wars;  an  idea  wdiieh  the}'  I'ailed  not  to  encour- 
age, averring  that  all  the  spoil  brought  home  was  taken 
Irom  the  redoubtable  ^lassawoinekes. 


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INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMP^lilOA. 


At  Jamestown  all  wa.s  found  in  disorder  and  misery,  as 
was  generally  the  case  when  llie  master-spirit  was  absent. 
^J'lius  ended  the  first  exploration  of  the  unknown  waters 
of  the  Chesapeake,  leaving  the  English  still  in  doubt  as 
to  its  extent,  and  still  ho})eful  of  eventually  finding  a  pass- 
age thereby  to  the  South  Seas! 

On  the  2-J:tli  of  Jul}',  a  seeond  expedition  was  undertaken 
u[)  the  bay,  by  Smith,  with  a  boat's  erew  of  twelve  men. 
The  Indians  of  Kecoughtan,  Avith  whom  they  spent  several 
daj^s,  exulted  greatly  in  the  supposition  that  the  English 
were  out  on  a  war  expedition  against  their  .dreaded  ene- 
mies, the  Massawomekes. 

Ti-oeeeding  up  the  bay,  more  than  half  the  2)arty  were 
prostrated  by  the  diseases  of  the  climate,  and  in  this  erip- 
})Ii'd  condition  they  came  upon  seven  or  eight  canoes, 
tilled  with  Indians  of  the  Avarlike  tribe  they  were  suj)])osed 
to  be  in  search  of.  Seeing  that  the  English  showed  no 
foar,  but  prepared  briskly  for  an  engagement,  these  ]\ras- 
sawomekes  concluded  that  discretion  was  the  better  part 
of  valor,  and  fled  to  the  shore.  Being  tempted  by  the 
oiler  of  some  trifling  toys,  they  at  last  came  out  to  the 
barge  unarmed,  bringing  presents  of  provisions,  targets, 
skins,  and  riide  implements  of  warfare.  They  had  been 
engaged  in  war  with  the  Indians  of  the  lockwogh  or 
Sassafras  river,  as  their  fresh  wounds  bore  witness. 

They  disappeared  during  the  foiloAving  night,  and  the 
explorers  made  their  way  into  the  river  of  Tockwogh. 
Seeing  the  Alassawomeke  w^eapons,  the  Tockwoghs  were 
in  ecstas}^,  supposing  that  their  enemies  had  been  defeated; 
and  led  Smith  up  to  their  fortified  town:  "Alen,  women, 
and  children,  with  daunces,  songs,  fruit,  furres,  and  what 
they  had,  stretching  their  best  abilities  to  expresse  their 
loues." 

I  [ere  Smith  made  some  stay,  sending  messengers  to 
in\  ite  a  deputation  from  the  renowned  Sasquesahanocks 


1 1 


i 


INDIANS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


109 


to  visit  him.  Sixty  of  "tliosc  gyant-likc  people,"  accord- 
ingly came  down  from  their  country,  bringing  presents, 
and  holding  bold  and  familiar  intercourse  with  the  stran- 
gers. The  daily  devotional  exercises  of  prayers  and  psal  ms, 
which  our  pious  Captain  regularly  observed,  were  re- 
sponded to,  on  the  part  of  the  wondering  savages,  by 
strancje  ceremonies  of  their  own. 

"They  began  in  a  most  passionate  manner,  to  hold  vp 
their  hands  to  the  Sunne,  with  a  most  feareful  song,  then 
inibraeing  our  captaine,  they  began  to  adore  him  in  like 
manner:  though  he  rebuked  them,  yet  they  proceeded  till 
tlieir  song  was  iinished:  which  done,  with  a  most  strange 
furious  action,  and  a  hellish  voyce,  began  an  oration  of 
their  loues." 

Tliey  then  clothed  him  with  rich  skins  and  mantles,  and  ' 
proffering  beads  and  toys,  declared  that  they,  and  all  tliey 
had,  were  at  his  service,  if  he  would  but  lend  his  assistance 
au'ainst  the  terrible  Massawomckes. 

JiCturning  to  examine  the  river  Kapahanock,  Smith  fell 
in  Avith  a  former  acquaintance,  one  ^losco,  of  Wighcoco- 
moco.  lie  was  doubtless  a  half-breed,  and  was  sup[)osed 
to  be  some  Frenchman's  son,  as  he  rejoiced  in  the  distin- 
guishing mark  of  a  "thicke,  black,  bush  beard,  and  the 
Salvages  seldome  haue  any  at  all."  , 

The  English  fortified  their  boat  by  making  a  breast- 
work around  the  gun-Avale,  of  the  ISIassawomeke  shields, 
which  were  so  thickly  plated  as  to  resist  the  arrows  of  the 
savau'cs.  This  stood  them  in  good  stead  in  divers  skir- 
mishes  with  the  Eapahanocks.  On  one  occasion,  thii'ty  or 
forty  of  that  tribe  so  disguised  themselves  with  bushes 
and  branches,  that,  as  they  stood  discharging  their  arrows 
upon  the  edge  of  the  river,  the  English  supposed  their 
arj'ay  to  be  a  natural  growth  of  shrubs. 

Mosco  accompanied  Smith  in.  his  visits  to  many  nations 
on  the  Chesapeake,  and  proved  of  no  little  service,  whether 


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170 


INDIAN"  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


tlie  reception  at  tlioir  liniids  Avas  fricndl}'  or  hostile.  The 
good  will  of  i\  ])arty  ol'  ^raiuiliocks  was  gainod  by  moans 
of  favor  shown  to  a  wounded  i)risoner,  wliom  ^fosco  would 
fain  have  dispacehed — "never  Avas  dog  more  furious 
au'ainst  a  Ix^are,  than  >rosco  w:is  to  have  heat  out  his 
bniines."  They  questioned  this  enptive,  who  Avas  called 
Arnoroloek,  about  his  own  and  the  adjoining  tribes,  and 
deinande(l  of  liini  wh}"  liis  peo2)le  had  attacked  peaceful 
strangers.  "The  poore  salvage  mildly  ansAvered,"  that 
they  had  hrvird  that  the  English  were  "a  people  ecMnc 
from  under  the  Avorld  to  take  their  Avorld  from  them." 
lie  described  the  ^ronacans  as  fj'iendly  to  his  tribe,  and 
said  that  they  liA'ed  in  the  mountainous  country  to  the 
Avest,  "by  small  rivers,  lining  upon  rootes  and  fruits,  but 
chiefly  by  hunting.  The  ]\[assaAVomeks  did  dwell  vpon  a 
great  Avahu-,  and  ha«l  many  boats,  and  so  many  men  that 
they  made  Avarre  Avith  all  the  Avorld." 

In  this,  and  the  pi'eeeding  A'oyage,  the  Avhole  of  the 
extensive  bay  of  Chesapeake,  Avas  explored,  together  Avith 
t'.ic  lower  portions  of  the  prineij^al  rivei's  emptying  into 
it;  and  an  accurate  chart  of  the  Avdiole  country  still  bears 
witness  to  the  skill  and  perseverance  of  the  brave  eom- 
2nander.  Curious  sketches  of  natiA'C  chiefs,  and  of  en- 
counters between  them  and  the  Knglish,  accompany  the 
maps  Avhich  illustrate* the  rpiaint  and  interesting  narrative 
from  Avhich  this  portion  of  our  history  is  draAvn. 

Before  returning  to  JamestoAvn,  the  party  sailed  for  the 
southern  shores,  and  passed, up  the  Elizabeth  riA^er  into 
the  "Chisar^eack"  countrv.  Thev  saw  but  few  dwellino-s. 
surrounded  by  garden  plots,  but  Avere  struck  Avith  the 
magniiicent  groAvth  of  pines  Avhicli  lined  the  banks.  Thence 
coasting  along  the  shore,  they  came  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Nandsamund,  A\diere  a  fcAV  Indians  Avere  engaged  in  fisli- 
intr.  These  fled  in  affriGfht,  but  the  Enirlish  landinji,  and 
leaving  some  attractive  trifles  Avhere  thev  Avould  fmd  them, 


1 1 
li 


A 


J 


INDIANS  OF  VIEGIXIA. 


171 


llicir  demeanor  was  soon  cliangcd.  Singing  and  dancing, 
ilicy  invited  the  party  to  enter  the  river,  and  one  of  them 
eame  on  board  tlie  barge.  Complying  with  the  request, 
Smitli  went  up  the  stream  seven  or  eight  miles,  when  exten- 
sive corn  fields  were  seen.  Perceiving  some  signs  of  ti-eaeh- 
ery,  he  would  not  proceed  farther,  but  endeavored  to  regain 
the  open  water  with  all  possible  expedition.  His  fears 
proved  to  be  well  grounded;  for  on  the  way  down,  arrows 
wiM'c  poured  into  the  boat  from  cither  side  of  the  river  by 
hundreds  of  Indians,  while  seven  or  eight  canoes  filled 
with  armed  men  followed  "to  see  the  conclusion."  Tuiii- 
ing  upon  these,  the  English,  by  a  volley  from  their  mus- 
kets, soon  drove  the  savages  on  shore  and  seized  the  canoes. 
I'hc  Indians,  seeing  their  invaluable  canoes  in  the  eiic- 
luics'  power,  to  save  them  from  destruction  readily  laid 
down  their  arms;  and,  upon  further  communication,  agreed 
to  deliver  up  their  king's  bow  and  arrows,  and  to  furnish 
four  hundred  baskets,  of  corn  to  avert  the  threatened 
vengeance  of  the  terrible  strangers. 


CHAPTER  III. 

CORONATION    OF    POWHATAN SMITIl's    VISIT    TO    WEUOWOCOMOCO 

FOR  SUPPLIES — TREACHERY    OF  POWHATAN — SMITH  A  SECOND 

TIME  PRESERVED  BY  POCAHONTAS VISIT  TO  PAMUNKY 

FIGHT  AVITH  THE  KING  OF  PASPAHEGH ASCENDANCY 

OF    THE    ENGLISH. 

In  the  ensuing  September,  Smith  was  formally  made 
president  of  the  colony  at  Jamestown,  and  set  himself 
])romptly  to  correct  abuses  and  perfect  the  com})any  in 
ihe  military  exercises  so  suited  to  his  own  inclinations, 
and  so  essential  in  their  isolated  and  dangerous  i)Osition. 


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172 


INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AMERICA. 


'I'lio  wandering  savages  would  collect  in  astonishment  to 
sec  these  })crformances,  standing  "in  amazement  to  behold 
how  a  fylo  would  batter  a  tree,  where  lie  would  inalcc  them 
a  marke  to  shoot  at." 

iSew})Oi't,  soon  after,  made  his  appearance,  bringing  out 
fi'om  Mngland  many  adventurers  ill->-)Uited  to  the  lile  before 
them  in  the  new  country:  "thirty  carpenters,  husband- 
men, gardiners,  fishermen,  blacksmiths,  masons,  and  dig- 
gei's  v[)  of  tn.'cs'  I'oots,"  says  Smith,  Avould  have  been 
worth  a  thousand  of  them.  By  the  same  arrival,  came  a 
large  boat,  brought  out  in  live  pieces,  to  be  used  in  further 
cx])lorations  in  search  of  the  South  Sea,  and  a  crown,  Avith 
brilHant  trn|)})in<js  and  regalia  for  the  solemn  coronation 
of  Powhatan.  Smith  speaks  with  great  •contempt  of  this 
transaction:  the  "costly  novelties  had  bcene  much  better 
wi'll  spared  than  so  ill-s])cnt,"  for  they  had  the  king's  "fa- 
vour much  better  only  for  a  playno  peecc  of  Copper,  till 
this  statel)'  kind  of  soliciting  made  him  so  nnieh  overvalue 
himself  that  he  respected  vs  as  nuich  as  nothing  at  all." 

'^J'lie  captain,  with  four  companions,  volunteered  to  go  to 
A\'er()wocomoco,  and  invite  i'owhatan  to  come  to  James- 
town and  receive  his  presents.  Arriving  at  the  villau'c, 
they  found  that  the  chief  was  thirty  miles  aAvay  from 
home;  but  a  messenger  was  dispatched  for  him,  and, 
mcimwhilc,  his  daughter  Pocahontas  exerted  herself,  to  the 
best  of  her  abilit}',  to  divert  and  entertain  lier  guests. 
This  Avas  done  after  a  strange  fashion.  A  masquerade  dance 
of  some  tliirty  yoinig  Avomcn,  nearly  naked,  Avas  ushered 
in  by  such  a  "hydcous  noise  and  shrieking,"  that  the  Kng* 
lish  seized  on  some  okl  men  Avho  stood  by,  as  hostages, 
thinking  that  ti'eachery  Avas  intended.  They  Avere  rclicA'cd 
from  a]iprehcnsion  by  the  assurances  of  Pocahontas,  and 
the  pageant  proceeded,  '^fhe  leader  of  the  dance  Avas  decked 
with  a  "fayre  ])airc  of  buck's  homes  on  her  head,  and  an 

The  others  Avere  also  horned, 


Otter's  skinne  at  her  ti-irdle." 


m 


' '    '.1 


INDIANS  OV  VIIiniXIA. 


173 


mid  painted  and  equipped,  "every  one  with  tli(Mr  severall 
devises.  1'hese  fiends  witii  most  hellish  shouts  and  eryes, 
rushing  from  among  the  trees,  east  tliemscliies  in  a  ring 
about  the  fire,  singing  and  dauncingAvith  inostexeellent  ill- 
\ariet_y."  Afterwards,  when  Smith  had  entered  one ol' their 
wigwams,  "all  these  Nymphs  more  tormented  him  than 
ever  with  crow^hng,  pressing  and  hanging  about  him,  most 
tediously  eiying.  Love  you  not  me?  love  you  not  me?"' 

Upon  Powhatan's  return,  he  proudly  refused  to  go  to 
Jamestown  for  his  presents,  standing  upon  his  dignity  as 
a  hing;  and  the  robes  and  trinkets  were  aecordingly  sent 
round  to  Werowocomoco  by  water.  The  coronation  seenc 
must  have  been  ludierous  in  the  extreme:  "the  presents 
were  brought  him,  his  Bason  and  Ewer,  Bed  and  furni- 
ture set  V}),  his  searlet  elokc  and  a].)parell  with  much  adoe 
put  on  him,  being  persuaded  by  Namontack,  they  would 
not  hurt  him:  but  a  foule  trouble  there  was  to  make  him 
kncele  to  I'eeeiuc  his  Crowne,  he  neither  knowing  the 
maicsty  nor  meaning  of  a  crown,  nor  bending  of  the  knee, 
endured  so  many  pcrswasions,  examples  and  instructions 
as  tyred  them  all;  at  la'^t,  by  leaning  hard  on  his  should- 
ers, he  a  little  stooped,  and  three  having  the  crowne  in 
their  hands,  put  it  on  his  head,  when,  by  the  warning  of  a 
pistol  1  the  ]]oats  were  prepared  with  such  a  volley  of  shot, 
that  the  King  start  vp  with  a  horrible  feare  till  he  saw  all 
was  well." 

After  this,  Newport,  with  one  hundred  and  twenty  men, 
made  some  unimportant  explorations,  above  the  foils, 
among  the  Monacaus.  'J^heir  continual  greedy  search  for 
mines  of  the  precious  metals  interfered  Avitli  useful  opera- 
tions and  discoveries. 

The  Indians  now  became  unwilling  to  trade,  and  Pow- 
hatan seemed  to  have  adopted  the  policy  of  starving  out 
the  colony.  We  can  hardly  justify  the  course  of  Smith 
in  enforcing  supplies,  on  any  other  plea  than  that  of  nc- 


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171 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMEUICA. 


cossitv;  hut  ccrtnin  it  is,  that  lie  alone  pccmcd  to  have  that 
p()\\(M'  and  inlhience  over  the  simple  savages  wliicli  eoukl 
scciii'c  ;it  once  their  love  and  fear. 

rowliatan  having  at  last  agreed  to  I'nrnisli  a  shijvload 
of  eorn,  if  the  English  would  build  liini  a  house,  and  fur- 
uisli  lijni  Avith  a  grindstone,  a  cock  and  hen,  some  ai'uis, 
copper  and  heads,  five  nuui  were  sent  to  Werowocomoco 
to  coiiiiiKMice  operations.     Three  of  these  were  Dutchmen. 

'^fo  carry  out  this  contract,  aiid  procure  the  promised 
corn,  Smith  started  for  thercamp  of  I'owhat.'in  towards  the 
last  of  December,  (1608,)  accoinpa.nied  by  twenty-seven 
men  in  the  barge  and  pinnace,  while  a  iiuml)er  of  otluM's 
crossed  the  country  to  build  the  proposed  house.  At  War- 
raskovack,  the  friendly  kimji:  cautic^ned  him  a^rainst  being 
deceived  by  Powdiatan's  expressions  of  kindness,  insisting 
that  treachery  was  intended. 

Cliristnias  was  spent  by  the  party  at  Kecoughtan,  on  the 
left  bank  of  James'  '  -"'r,  near  its  mouth;  and  merry  cheer 
was  made  u})on  g  ..  ■  did  oysters.  They  reached  Wero- 
wocomoco on  the  l_ai  of  January,  and  landed  with  much 
difliculty,  as  the  river  was  bordered  Avith  ice,  to  break 
through  whicli  tliey  were  obliged  to  wade  waist-deeji,  "a 
flight-shot  through  this  muddy  frozen  oase." 

Powhatan  gave  them  venison  and  turkies  for  their 
immediate  use,  but  when  the  subject  of  the  corn  was 
broached,  he  protested  that  he  and  his  people  had  little  or 
none,  and  demanded  forty  swords  in  case  he  should  pro- 
cure forty  baskets.  Smith  replied  sternly,  upbraiding  him 
for  duplicity  and  faithlessness,  and  cautioning  him  not  to 
provoke  hostilities  where  friendship  only  was  intended. 
The  wily  chief,  on  the  other  hand,  made  many  deprecatory 
speeches,  continually  nrging  Smith  to  direct  his  men  to 
lay  down  their  arnjs,  that  the  conference  should  appear  to 
be  peaceful,  and  the  Indians  feel  at  ease  and  in  safety, 
while  bringing  in  their  corn. 


:.  ^'l 


4i 


p' 


ll 


1N'I>TAX.S  OF  VrHr.IXTA. 


i:r, 


After  iiiiii'h  bargiiiirui;^  jiihI  li;ur,L!;liiig,  a  small  ([iiaiility 
of  corn  was  }>r()Ciireil,  uiul  I'cAvliataii  tiiadu  a  most  i)laiisi- 
Lie  uiid  ciuarat^teristic  speecli  to  jtensuadc  Smith  lliat  iiotli- 
ing could  1)('  f'artlier  (Vom  his  iiit(Milii>ii  than  hostility,  ('an 
yoii  snjiposo,  said  lie,  tluit  I,  a  man  of  a,^•e  and  e.\piTi('ne(>, 
liaviiiL^^  outlived  three  generations  of  my  ])ih)j)U!,  should 
be  ^^>^o  simple  as  not  to  kncnv  it  is  Initcr  to  eat(!  good 
meate,  lye  well  and  slecpe  quietly  with  my  women  and 
children,  langh  and  be  merj-y  with  you,  liauc  eoppci-, 
hatchets,  or  what  [  watit  biung  your  fi'iend :  than  be  loi'ced 
to  Hie  from  all,  to  lie  cold  in  the  woods,  feede  vpon  acornes, 
rootes,  and  such  trash,  and  be  so  hunted  by  you  that  I  can 
neither  rest,  cate  nor  slecpe;  but  my  tyred  men  must 
watch,  and  if  a  twig  but  breakc,  every  one  cryetli,  there 
commeth  Captainc  Smith." 

Thus  the  time  was  s[>ent  in  useless  discourse,  and  Smith, 
perceiving  that  the  Indians  were  only  watching  for  an 
o})])ortunity  to  attack  him  unawares,  ordered  the  barge  to 
be  brought  to  shore,  and  the  pittance  of  corn  to  be  stowed 
on  board.  Powhatan  then  disappeared,  but  immediately 
sent  his  Avarriors  to  surround  the  house  and  cut  off  Smith 
while  the  body  of  the  English  were  engaged  with  the  barge. 

Aided  only  by  one  companion,  the  valiant  captain  rushed 
forth,  "with  his  pistoll,  sword  and  target,"  and  "made 
such  a  passage  among  these  naked  Diuels,  that,  at  his  first 
shoot,  they  next  him  tumbled  one  ouer  another."  Seeing 
that  Smith  had  rejoined  his  company,  Powhatan  pretended 
that  he  had  sent  his  ])eople  to  guard  the  corn  from  being 
stolen,  and  renewed  his  protestations  of  friendship. 

The  boats  being  left  ashore  by  the  tide,  the  captain  was 
obliged  to  spend  the  night  on  shore.  Powhatan  now  coi.- 
ceived  himself  sure  of  his  victims,  and  gathered  all  his 
people,  with  the  intention  of  surprising  Smith  under  cover 
of  the  night.  "Notwithstanding  the  eternal  all-soeing 
God  did  preuent  him,  and  by  a  strange  meanes.     For  Poca- 


11 


It  11,1 


V  '•'.■if 


'■■'Mm 

* » 


■■    '  ''yl 


*l 


!!S.. 


■*t'-:( 


ITT 

if'- 

.  ■..  "i  ■  ■ ' 

•'.*jMB 

.       ;;  ,,     i    .V;;  .  ^      ill 


r,v 


-^ 


170 


iNi»iAN'  i:A('ks  ok  amkiiica. 


yi 

' 

''1 

1 

t 

m 


1 1 


ii 


hontas,  liis  donrest  icwcil  ;iiiil  (lilll,^•^lt('r,  in  tliat  darko  iii;^'lit 
came  lliroujj,li  tlic^  irksome  woods,  and  told  our  Captainc 
groato  (ilicaiv  should  he  sent  \'s  l>y  and  by;  but  IVnvliatan 
and  all  the  itowcr  lie  could  make,  wc^uld  after  como  and 
kill  VH  all,  il'  they  that  hrou.uht  it  coidd  not  kill  vs  with 
oiiro  owne  wenixnis  when  wo  wei"e  at  .su|)[)er.  'riicrclbre 
if  wo  woidd  line,  she  wislu'd  vs  ])rcsently  to  be  <^'ono. 
Such  1  hint's  as  she  (k!li,^■hted  in  lu;  would  have  giuen  her; 
but  with  the  teares  iMiuning  downe  her  eheekes,  she  said 
she  durst  not  be  seen  to  haue  a.ny ;  for  if  Powhatan  should 
know  it  she  were  but  dead,  and  so  she  runnc  away  by  her- 
selfe  as  she  came." 

One  eaii  readily  imagine  the  distress  of  tlie  poor  child 
at  feeling  thus  eomj)elled,  by  her  affection  for  her  J'lnglish 
friend,  to  become  unfaithful  to  her  father  and  her  own 
peo))lc. 

'J'he  feast  was  sent  in  shortly  after,  by  a  number  of 
strong  warriors,  wlio  Avere  very  earnest  in  their  invitation 
to  the  party  to  kiy  down  their  arms  and  fall  to.  The 
matches  which  the  En;.!;ii:-h  ke])t  burning  met  with  tiieir 
decided  disapproval,  the  smoke,  as  they  averred,  making 
them  sick.  Smith,  being  forewarned,  did  not  fail  to  spend 
the  night  in  vigilance,  and  sent  word  to  Powdiatan  that  he 
felt  well  convinced  of  his  villanous  intentions,  and  should 
be  prepared  for  him.  The  Dutchnicn,  who  were  with  the 
king,  were  all  along  supposed  to  be  implicated  in  his  treach- 
ery, being  inimical  to  Smith,  and  glad  of  an  o])portunity  to 
destroy  him.  After  his  departure  from  W'erowocomoco, 
two  of  them  hastened  to  Jamcstowii,  and,  by  various  pre 
tenco.">,  obtained  a  quantity  of  arms,  which,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  some  Indian  companions,  they  carried  off  to  Pow- 
hatan. In  return  for  this  assistance,  he  promised  them 
immunity  from  the  havoc  that  should  overtake  ilic  colony, 
and  high  oflice  and  power  in  his  own  service. 

Continuing  his  search  for  provision,  Smith  arrived  at 


IN1)IAN9   OF   VIIUJINIA. 


177 


Painiiiiky,  wlioro  Opocliaiicarjough  received  liiiii  ^vith  ap- 
pareiit  kiiulncss,  but  sliowcd  tio  tvailitiesH  to  trade.  Smith 
reiniiulc'd  liiiii  of  Ibriner  pi'oiiiiscs  and  iiijurio!^,  and  cx- 
presMed  a  (K'lcrrnination  to  obtain  siip})lies;  proflering  Just 
j)ajniont.  The  chief  niaiiagi'd  to  (h'coy  the  captain  and 
his  "ohl  nrtccnc"  into  liis  iiousc,  exliibiting  some  bask(>trt 
of  corn,  whicli  he  ailcgcil  were  procured  with  great  difli- 
culty,  but  ill  tlic  meantime  some  seven  hundred  armed 
warriors,  by  liis  orders,  surrounded  the  building. 

Our  brave  captain,  first  exhorting  his  men  to  show  no 
signs  of  fear,  now  steridy  addres.sed  the  king,  challenging 
him  to  single  combat,  with  ecpial  arms,  upon  an  island  in 
the  river.  Opcchancanough  still  pretended  good  will  and 
friendsJiip,  and  attempted  to  entice  Smith  out  at  the  door, 
by  i^romises  of  munificent  presents:  "the  bait  was  guardcMl 
with  at  least  two  hundred  men,  and  thirty  lying  viuh'r  a 
great  tree  (that  lay  thwart,  as  a  barricad<j)  each  his  ai'row 
nocked  ready  to  shoot." 

Smith,  perceiving  that  prompt  actit)n  was  now  necessary, 
s])rang  upon  the  king,  and,  holding  him  by  the  foredock 
Avith  one  hand,  Avhile,  with  the  other,  he  held  a  cocked 
pistol  to  his  breast,  he  led  him  forth  among  his  people. 
Opcchancanough,  com])letely  cowed,  delivered  up  his  arms, 
and  all  his  warriors,  amazed  at  the  Englishman's  audacity, 
laid  theirs  upon  the  ground. 

Still  keeping  hold  of  the  chief's  hair.  Smith  made  a  brief 
oration,  threatening  terrible  vengeance  if  a  drop  of  Eng- 
lish blood  should  be  spilt,  and  declaring  that  if  they  would 
not  sell  him  corn  he  would  freight  his  ship  with  their  car- 
casses. He  promised,  moreover,  continued  friendship  if 
no  further  cause  for  complaint  were  given.  All  now  made 
friendly  protestations,  and  brouglit  in  abundance  of  pro- 
vision; but,  as  Smith  lay  down  to  recruit  himself  with  a 
little  sleep,  a  great  number  of  the  savages  rushed  in  to 
OA'crpower  him.  This  attack  was  repelled  a.s  successfully 
12 


-ll 


I'm 


JLMMif, 


r   ?'^4 


■* 


.;  .1 

hi 


'••% 


'\K  '  I 


l(«..iv'*":l 


n'> 


178 


INDIAN  RACKS  OF  AMKKICA. 


■% ! 


i    ■■■II 


fuul  pnnnptl}'  as  (lie  liist.  ''J'lu!  king  in  a  longtliy  sj)oocli 
oxciisrd  and  c.\|)lain(.'<l  IImj  ino\cni(!nt,  and  tin;  dny  cndod 
in  jii-acehd  trade;  and  i)aitcr. 

At  this  tirnc!  arrivcul  oik;  liicliard  Wyflni,  who  liad  vcn- 
tnt'oiisly  niado  his  way  aloni;  thi'ongh  the  wildcnicss  to 
announce  to  Smith  a  gr(!at  loss  which  the  colony  had  met 
wilh  in  the  (Iciitli  ol'  (iosnoll  and  cii^ht  coni[)aiiions.  'riicy 
liad  started  in  a  skill'  loi'  the  IsK;  of  Hogs,  and  were  upset 
l>y  a  gale  "(that  extreanic  iVo/en  time)"  and  drowned. 
AVydin  liad  stoi)[)i!d  at  Powhatan's  head-({uarters,  and  only 
cscajied  destruction  by  the  kindness  of  the  Englishman's  last 
friiMul  Pocahontas.  She  "hid  him  for  a  time,  and  sent  them 
who  pursued  hitn  the  cleanc;  contrary  way  to  seeke  him." 

Concealing  this  disastrous  intellijence  from  his  iollow- 
ers,  Captain  Smith  set  Opcchancanough  at  libei'ty,  and 
again  embarked,  intending,  ere  his  return  to  Jamestown, 
to  secure  the  person  of  Powlialan.  That  chief  had  issued 
general  orders  for  tlie  dest ruction  of  Smith,  and  every 
where,  as  the  boat  passed  along  the  river  bank,  crowds  of 
Indians  Avould  a]t})ear,  bringing  corn  in  baskets,  and  oflcu'- 
ing  it  to  the  company  if  they  would  come  for  it  unarmed. 
Tht>ir  intention  was  evidently  to  draw  the  English  into  an 
and)uscade.  The  captain  succeeded  in  surprising  one  of 
these  parties,  and  obtaining  their  provision. 

Some  of  tlieni,  wdio  consented  to  trade,  sup})lied  the 
English  with  poisoned  food,  which  was  eaten  by  Smith 
and  others,  but  the  poison  did  not  prove  sufTieiently  potent 
to  destroy  their  lives.  Suspicion  fell  upon  a  vigorous 
young  warrior  named  AYecuttanow,  as  the  author  of  this 
treachery;  but  he,  having  forty  or  fifty  companions  with 
him,  "so  proudly  braucd  it  as  though  he  ex})ectcd  to  in- 
counter  a  revenge. — Which  the  President  (Smith)  perceiv- 
ing in  the  midst  of  his  company,  did  not  onely  beate,  but 
spurned  him  like  a  doggc,  as  scorning  to  doe  him  any 
worse  mischiefe." 


:ii'Hi 


TNDIANH   OF  VIUOINIA. 


170 


At  other  pliiccs  wlierc  provision  \v:i8  sought,  it  was  jdaiii 
that  tlio  Iiuliiins  were  tlicmsolvos  in  want,  and  "iniparU-d 
tliat  Httlo  they  iuul  with  such  coin[)laints  and  Ivmta  frotii 
the  eves  of  women  and  chiklren  as  he  had  becne  too  criull 
to  hauo  becne  a  Christian  tliat  would  not  hauc  beene  satis- 
fied and  moued  with  compassion." 

I'owliatan,  cautioned  by  "those  darntuul  Dutchmen," 
liad  left  Werowoeomoeo,  with  all  his  ell'ecls,  before  Smith 
arrived  tlu;r(>,  and  the  plan  of  making  him  prisoner  was 
therefore  abandoned.  I  b^re  Smith  breaks  out  into  a  spirited 
justilieation  of  his  conduct  and  pur})oses,  complaining  that 
fault  had  been  found  with  him,  b}''  some,  for  cruelty  and 
harshness,  and  by  others  for  want  of  energy  and  determin- 
ation. He  draws  a  strong  contrast  between  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  English  colony  and  the  manner  in  wliich  the 
S])aniards  usually  followed  up  their  discoveries.  It  was 
not  pleasing,  he  sa3's,  to  some,  that  he  had  temporized  witii 
such  a  treacherous  peoj)le,  and  "that  he  washed  not  the 
ground  with  their  blouds,  nor  showed  such  strange  inveii- 
tions  in  mangling,  murdering,  ransacking,  and  destroying, 
(as  did  the  Spanyards,)  the  simple  bodies  of  such  ignorant 
soulcs." 

The  renegade  Dutchmen  had  a  place  of  rendezvous  near 
Jamestown,  known  as  the  "glasso  house,"  whither  they 
resorted,  with  their  Indian  associates,  to  carry  on  their  sys- 
tem of  pilfering  arms  and  other  articles  from  the  colony. 
Captain  Smith  making  a  visit  to  this  spot,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  arresting  one  of  them,  named  Francis,  whom  ho 
had  heard  to  be  there,  was  set  upon,  as  he  returned  alone, 
by  the  king  of  Paspahegh,  "a  most  strong  stout  salvage," 
and  a  terrible  personal  encounter  ensued.  The  Indian 
closed  upon  him,  so  that  he  could  make  no  use  of  his  fal- 
chion, and,  by  sheer  strength,  dragged  him  into  the  river. 
After  a  desperate  struggle,  Smith  succeeded  in  grasping  the 
savage  by  the  throat,  and  in  drawing  his  weapon.    "  Seeing 


♦'• . ;' 


'■ '•'..M^!^i; 


::> 


r-.i 


i 


11 1< 


:':i 


~S1 


180 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


how  pitifully  lie  begged  for  his  life,  he  led  him  prisonci 
to  James  Towne,  and  put  him  in  ehayncs,"  His  women 
and  children  came  every  day  to  visit  him,  bringing  pres- 
ents to  propitiate  the  English.  Being  carelessly  guardiKl, 
the  king  finally  made  his  escape.  In  attempts  to  recover 
him,  some  fighting  and  bloodshed  ensued,  and  two  In- 
dians, named  Kemp  and  Tussore,  "the  two  most  exact  vil- 
laincs  in  all  the  Countrey,"  were  taken  prisoners.  Smith, 
with  a  corps  of  soldiery,  proceeding  to  punish  the  Indians 
on  the  Chickahominy,  passed  by  Paspahegh,  and  there  con- 
cluded a  peace  with  the  natives.  They  at  first  ventured 
to  attack  him,  but  unable  to  resist  the  English  weapons 
they  threw  down  their  arms,  and  sent  forward  a  young 
warrior,  called  Okaning,  to  make  an  oration. 

He  represented  that  his  chief,  in  effecting  an  escape,  had 
but  followed  the  instincts  of  nature;  that  fowls,  beasts, 
and  fishes  strove  to  avoid  captivity  and  snares,  and  why 
should  not  man  be  allowed  so  universal  a  privilege?  He 
added  that,  if  the  English  would  not  live  at  peace  with 
them,  the  tribe  must  abandon  the  country,  and  the  sup- 
jilics  which  the  colony  had  heretofore  obtained  from  them 
1,10  thereby  cut  off". 

The  power  and  influence  of  Smith  among  the  savages 
was  infinitely  increased  by  a  circumstance  which  occurred 
immediately  after  his  return  to  Jamestown.  A  pistol  had 
b(_'en  stolen  by  a  Chickahominy  Indian,  and  his  two  bro'h- 
ers,  supposed  to  be  privy  to  the  theft,  had  been  seized,  to 
secure  its  return.  One  of  them  was  sent  in  search  of  the 
missing  article,  assured  that  his  brother  should  be  hanged 
if  it  v/as  not  forthcoming  within  twelve  hours.  Smith, 
"  pitying  the  poore  naked  Salvage  in  the  dungeon,  sent  him 
victuall  and  some  Char-coale  for  a  fire:  ere  midnight,  his 
brother  returned  with  the  Pistoll,  but  the  poore  Salvage  i?i 
the  dungeon  was  so  smoothered  with  the  sinoake  he  had 
made,  and  so  pittiously  burnt,"  that  he  appeared  to  be 


rfT«-fYrff^ 


INDIANS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


181 


(load,  nis  brother,  ovcrvvhelmed  witli  grief,  uttered  such 
touching  lamentations  over  the  bcdy,  that  Captain  Smith, 
although  feeling  little  hope  of  success,  assured  him  that 
lie  would  bring  the  dead  Indian  to  life,  provided  he  and 
his  fellows  would  give  over  their  thieving.  Energetic 
treatment  restored  the  poor  follow  to  consciousness,  and, 
his  burns  being  dressed,  the  simple  pair  were  sent  on 
their  way,  each  with  a  small  present,  to  spread  the  report, 
ftir  and  near,  that  Captain  Smith  had  power  to  restore  the 
dead  to  life.  Not  long  after,  several  Indians  were  killed 
by  the  explosion  of  a  quantity  of  powder,  which  they 
were  attempting  to  dry  upon  a  plate  of  armor,  as  they  had 
seen  the  English  do.  "  These  and  many  other  such  pretty 
Accidents,  so  amazed  and  frighted  both  Powhatan  and  all 
his  people,"  that  they  came  in  from  all  quarters,  returning 
stolen  property,  and  begging  for  favour  and  peace:  "and 
all  the  country,"  says  the  narrator,  "became  absolutely  as 
free  for  vs,  as  for  themselues." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DISTRESS  OF  THE  (JOLONIES — MARTIN  AND  WEST's  SETTLEMENTS 

ARRIVAL  OF   LORD  DE  LA  WARRE RETALIATIONS  UPON  THE 

NATIVES SEIZURE  OF  POCAHONTAS  :    IIHR  MARRIAGE 

PEACE  WITH  THE  INDIANS POCAHONTAS  VISITS 

ENGLAND  :    HER  DEATH DEATH  OF  POW- 
HATAN  PORY's  SETTLEMENT. 

While  Captain  Smith  remained  in  America,  and  con- 
tinued in  power,  he  maintained  his  authority  over  the 
natives  In  a  grievous  famine  that  succeeded  the  events 
we  have  just  detailed,  they  proved  of  infinite  service  in 
providing  the  wild  products  of  the  forest  for  the  starving 


.t"ii-V'i 


hhr  iii 


f 


51" 


m. 


182 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


colonists.  Many  of  the  English  were  sent  out  to  live  with 
the  savages,  and  learn  their  arts  of  gathering  and  prepar- 
ing the  roots  and  other  edibles  tliat  must  take  the  place 
of  corn.  These  were  treated  with  every  kindness  by  the 
Indians,  "of  whom,"  says  Smith,  "there  was  more  hope 
to  make  better  Christians  and  good  subjects  than  the  oiie- 
halfe  of  those  that  counterfeited  themselucs  both."  Kemp 
and  Tussore,  who  had  been  set  at  liberty,  remained  there- 
after staunch  adherents  to  the  English  interests.  Sundry 
malcontents  belonging  to  the  colony  had  lied  into  the 
woods,  thinking  to  live  in  ease  among  the  natives,  wlioni 
they  promised  revenge  upon  their  old  conqueror,  the 
president.  Kemp,  however,  instead  of  giving  ear  to  these 
persuasions,  fed  them  "  with  this  law,  who  would  not  work, 
must  ]iot  eate,  till  they  were  neere  starued  indeede,  con- 
tinually threatening  to  beat  them  to  death;"  and  finally 
carried  them  forcibly  back  to  Captain  Smith. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  summer  of  1609,  large  supplies 
came  over  from  England,  and  a  great  number  of  factious 
and  disorderly  adventurers  were  brought  into  the  new 
settlement.  Unwilling  to  submit  to  the  authority  of  the 
president,  insatiate  after  mines  of  gold  and  silver,  cow- 
ardly in  battle,  and  cruel  and  treacherous  in  peace;  their 
distress  proved  commensurate  with  their  unthrift.  At 
Nansemund,  a  company,  under  one  Captain  Martin,  after 
wantonly  provoking  the  ill-will  of  the  natives,  wa^  unable 
to  resist  their  attacks;  and  another  division,  under  \Wvst, 
which  attempted  a  settlement  at  the  falls  of  James'  rivei', 
proved  equally  inefficient  and  impolitic.  "The  poore  sal- 
vages hat  daily  brought  in  their  contributions  to  the 
President,  that  disorderly  company  so  tormented  those 
poore  soules,  by  stealing  their  corne,  robbing  their  gar- 
dens, beating  them,  breaking  their  houses  and  kee])ing 
some  prisoners,  that  they  daily  complained  to  Ca])taine 
Smith,  he  had  brought  them  for  protectors  worse  enemies 


vnr***"! 


IXPTANS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


188 


r_i 


than  the  Monacans  themselues :  they  desired  pardon  if 
hereafter  they  defended  themseUies." 

Carrying  out  this  intention,  the  Indians  fcll.npon  tlic 
for.  immediately  after  Smith's  departure,  he  having  set 
sai^  for  Jamestown.  His  vessel  taking  ground  before  he  had 
prccecdcd  far,  he  was  called  upon  to  interfere,  and  brought 
maiters  to  an  amicable  conclusion,  removing  the  English 
from  the  inconvenient  spot  they  had  selected  for  their 
habitation  into  the  pleasant  country  of  Powhatan. 

Before  reaching  Jamestown,  Captain  Smith  met  with  so 
severe  an  accident  by  the  firing  of  a  bag  of  gun-powder, 
that  he  was  thereafter  incapacitated  from  furthci  service 
in  the  colony.  So  terribly  was  his  flesh  torn  and  burned, 
that,  to  relieve  the  pain,  he  instantly  threw  himself  into 
the  river,  from  which  he  was  with  difficulty  rescued.  It 
being  impossible  to  procure  the  necessary  medical  assist- 
ance for  the  cure  of  so  extensive  an  injury,  he  took  pas- 
sage for  England  by  the  first  opportunity,  and  never  again 
revisited  the  colony  he  had  planted  and  supported  with 
such  singular  devotion,  energy,  ai'd  courage.  The  fate  of 
the  two  principal  of  the  Dutch  conspirators  against  his 
life,  is  thus  chronicled:  "But  to  see  the  justice  of  God 
vpon  these  Dutchmen: — Adam  and  Francis  were  lied 
againe  to  Powhatan,  to  whom  they  promised,  at  the  ai'ri- 
vall  of  my  Lord  (La  Warre),  what  wonders  they  would 
doe,  would  he  suffer  them  but  to  goc  to  him.  liut  tlio 
king  seeing  they  would  be  gone,  rei)lyed;  you  that  would 
li;iiii>  beti-ayed  Captaine  Smith  to  me,  will  certainely  be- 
tray nic  to  this  great  Lord  for  your  peace;  so  caused  his 
men  to  beat  out  their  braines." 

Smith's  departure  was  the  signal  for  general  defection 
among  the  Indians.  They  seized  the  boats  of  the  settlers 
under  ^Fartin  and  West;  who,  unable  to  keep  their  ground, 
returned  to  Jamestown,  with  the  loss  of  nearly  half  their 
men.     A  party  of  thirty  or  forty,  bound  upon  a  trading 


i! 


1 1 


i  I 


ii 


I 
1 1 


l! 


l4^  ' 


V;. 


r»n 


'I  ' 


184 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


III 


1 1 


i| 


1 1 


II 


expcditiDn,  was  set  upon  by  Powhatan  and  his  warriors, 
and  all  except  two  were  slain.  One  of  these,  a  boy,  named 
Henry  Spilman,  was  preserved  by  the  intervention  of 
Pocahontas,  and  sent  to  live  among  the  Patawomekcs. 
Pkcduccd  to  the  greatest  extremity,  the  English  were 
obliged  to  barter  their  very  arras  for  provisions,  thus  add- 
ing to  the  power  of  the  enemy  in  the  same  ratio  that  they 
weakened  their  own  resources.  Famine,  j)estilence,  and 
savage  invasion  reduced  the  colony,  which  before  had 
numbered  live  hundred  inhabitants,  to  about  sixty  miser- 
able and  helpless  Avretches,  within  the  short  space  of  six 
months  from  the  time  that  Smith  set  sail.  The  crude  pro- 
ducts of  the  forest  formed  their  principal  food;  "nay,  so 
gi eat  was  our  famine,"  proceeds  the  narrative,  "that  a  Sal- 
uage  we  slew  and  buried,  the  poorer  sort  took  him  vp 
againe  and  eat  him,  and  so  did  diners  one  another,  boyled 
and  stewed  with  roots  and  herbs:  And  one  amongst  tlie 
rest  did  kill  his  wife,  powdered  her  and  had  eaten  part  of 
her  before  it  was  known  e,  for  which  he  was  executed  as 
he  well  deserued." 

Upon  the  arrival  of  a  ship,  with  Sir  Thomas  Gates  and 
company,  all  the  unfortunate  settlers,  abandoning  their 
town,  took  passage  with  him  for  England.  At  the  com- 
mencement of  the  voyage,  they  fell  in  with  Lord  La 
Warre,  who  was  on  his  way  to  Jamestown,  bringing  with 
him  large  supplies  of  men  and  necessaries ;  and  all  returned 
together  to  Jamet;Luwn. 

Fortunately  the  Indians  had  not,  as  yet,  destroyed  the 
fort,  and  the  numbers  and  efficiency  of  the  whites  were 
so  far  increased,  that  they  were  "able  to  tame  the  furie 
and  trecherie  of  the  Saluages." 

On  the  loth  of  June  (1610)  Captain  Argall,  being  en- 
gaged in  a  trading  expedition  among  the  Patawomekcs, 
found  there  the  young  prisoner,  Henry  Spihnan,  who  hud 
met  with   kind   treatment,   and   by  whose   intervention 


W 


^ifeir 


INDIANS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


Ibo 


abundance  of  corn  was  procured.  Frequent  mention  is 
made  of  Spilman  'in  subsequent  portions  of  Virginian 
history.  He  was  killed  by  the  Potomac  Indians,  in  1623, 
while  on  a  trading  expedition  up  the  river.  Having  gone 
on  shore  with  some  of  his  company,  some  difficulty  arose, 
and,  after  a  short  skirmish,  those  on  board  the  boat,  "heard 
a  great  brute  among  the  Salvages  a  shore,  and  saw  a  mans 
head  throwne  downe  the  banke,  whereupon  they  weighed 
anchor  and  returned  home,  but  how  he  was  sururised  or 
slaine  is  uncertaine." 

I'hat  the  colonisi^Avere  not  slow  in  making  use  of  their 
newly-acquired  power  over  the  natives  in  their  vicinity, 
sufficiently  appears  from  the  manner  in  which  they  re- 
venged some  injuries  recei^'ed  from  those  of  Paspahcgh. 
Not  satisfied  with  burning  their  town,  they  deliberately 
put  to  death  the  queen  and  her  children,  who  had  fallen 
into  their  hands. 

In  the  following  year  the  Appomatuck  Indians,  for 
some  offences,  were  driven  from  their  homes,  and  their 
corn  was  seized,  "without  the  loss  of  any  except  some  few 
Saluagcs."  The  manner  in  which  peaceful  intercourse 
was  at  last  established  with  Powhatan,  however  it  may  be 
justified  upon  the  plea  of  necessity,  reflects  but  little  credit 
upon  the  English.  Argall,  in  the  year  1613,  (according 
to  some  chroniclers,)  while  up  the  Potomac  in  searcli  of 
corn,  heard  from  the  sachem  Japazaws  that  Pocahontas, 
who  had  not  been  seen  at  Jamestown  since  Smith's  depart- 
ure, was  residing  among  his  people.  The  captain  deter- 
mined not  to  lose  the  opportunity  to  secure  so  valuable  a 
hostage,  and  having,  by  the  assistance  of  Japazaws,  de- 
coyed her  on  board  his  ship,  he  made  her  prisoner.  The 
treacherous  Potomac  sachem  pretended  great  distress; 
"  Lhc  old  lew  and  his  wife  began  to  howle  and  crie  as  fast 
as  P<>ealiontas,"  but  ajtpeared  pacified  when  Argall  told 
them  that  the  princess  should  be  well  treated,  and  restored 


'p^^'yvWyS-^ 


'  ''t 


m  V 


■■wK 


<(i. 


. . . , ,  ,  ''%'lt^p  I 


iff  *    ^^'>^f 


iWi 


18G 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMEIIICA. 


t 

'<     Ik 


VV 


1.  \ 


m 


as  soon  as  Powliutiin  .would  malvc3  restitution  of  the  gooda 
he  liad  pui'loincd  and  phmdercd  from  the  colony. 

AVhen  the  cmpcj'or  learned  of  this  transaction,  tlic 
"vnwelconic  ncwes  nuich  troubled  him,  hccausc  he  loued 
both  his  daughter  and  tlie  English  commodities  well;" 
and  he  left  Tocahontas  in  the  enemies'  hands  for  several 
months  Lelore  he  'deigned  to  pay  the  least  attention  to 
their  demands.  It  has  Leen  supposed,  and  with  great 
show  of  reason,  that  the  kind-hearted  girl  had  lost  favor 
with  her  father  by  her  sympathy  with  the  English,  and  by 
endeavoi'ing  to  save  them  at  the  tinae  of  the  massacres 
which  })i'eceded  the  last  arrival;  and  that  this  was  the 
cause  of  her  retirement  to  rotoinac. 

When  Powhatan  at  last  cc^sented  to  treat,  his  offers 
were  entirely  unsatisfactory  to  the  English,  and  another 
long  interval  elapsed  without  any  communication  from 
him.  ^\Ieantime,  an  ardent  attachment  had  sprung  up 
between  Pocahontas  and  a  young  Englishman  of  the  col- 
ony named  John  Polfe,  "an  honest  gentleman  and  of  good 
behaviour."  "When  it  was  at  last  concluded  to  use  open 
force  to  reduce  Powluitan  to  compliance  with  the  English 
requisitions,  a  large  force  proceeded  to  the  chief's  head- 
quarters, by  water,  taking  the  princess  with  them.  The  In- 
dians exhibited  an  insolent  and  warlike  demeanor,  but  were 
easily  put  to  flight,  and  their  town  was  burned.  Pursuing 
their  advantage,  the  invading  party  proceeded  up  the  river 
to  jMatchot,  whci'c,  a  truce  being  agreed  upon,  two  of  Pow- 
hatan's sons  came  to  visit  their  sister,  and,  overjoyed  at 
finding  her  well  and  kindly  cared  for,  promised  their  best 
endeavors  to  bring  matters  to  a  peaceful  issue.  Rolfe,  with 
one  com])anion,  had  an  interview  with  OjDecliancanougli, 
who  also  declared  that  he  would  strive  to  persuade  the 
king  to  compliance  with  the  English  proposals. 

AVhen  Powhatan  heard  of  the  proposed  marriage  (jf  his 
daughtei',  his  anger  and  j'csentment  towards  the  whites 


INDIANS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


187 


seemed  to  be  appeased.  He  scut  liis  brother  Opitclinpan, 
iuul  others  of  his  family,  to  witness  the  ceremony,  and 
readily  permitted  the  old  terms  of  trade  and  intimacy  to 
be  renewed.  Pocahontas  and  John  Kolfe  were  married 
about  the  first  of  April,  1613. 

The  Chickahominies,  hearing  that  Powhatan  was  in 
league  with  the  colony,  felt  little  inclined  to  be  upon  ill- 
terms  with  so  powerful  a  confederacy;  and,  having  made 
advances,  a  treaty  of  friendship  was  entered  into  with  all 
due  forms  and  ceremonies. 

Not  contented  with  the  security  against  Powhatan's 
hostility  wdiich  the  possession  of  liis  beloved  daughter  af- 
forded, the  colonial  governor.  Sir  Thomas  Dale,  sought 
yet  another  hostage  from  the  king;  and  in  lGl-1  sent  John 
liolfe  and  llalph  llamor  to  his  court  for  this  purpose. 

The  aged  chief  received  them  with  courtesy  and  kind- 
ness, and  appeared  pleased  and  gratified  at  the  accoiuits 
which  they  gave  him  of  Pocahontas'  satisfaction  Avilh  her 
new  alliance,  and  the  religion  and  customs  of  the  English. 
When  the  purpose  of  the  mission  was  made  known  to 
him,  which  was  no  Jther  tha*"  the  obtaining  posscssi(jn  of 
-.1;,  youngest  daughter,  upon  pretext  of  marrying  her 
nobly,  Powhatan  gravely  refused  compliance.  lie  would 
never  trust  himself,  he  said,  in  the  power  of  the  English; 
and  therefore,  if  he  should  send  away  his  child,  whom  he 
now  loved  as  his  life,  and  beyond  all  his  other  numerous 
oflspring,  it  would  be  never  again  to  behold  her.  "My 
brother,"  he  added,  "hath  a  pledge,  one  of  my  daughters, 
which  so  lo  ig  as  she  lives  shall  be  sufficient,  when  she 
dies  he  shah  have  another:  I  hold  it  not  a  brotherly  part 
to  desire  to  bereave  me  of  my  two  children  at  on(,-e." 

Pocahontas  was  carefully  educated  in  the  Christian 
religion,  which  she  a])peai-ed  sincerely  to  end^race.  She 
nourished  the  warmest  aftection  for  her  husband, — u})on 
his  part  faithfully  returned;  and  what  with  these  new  ties, 


1     i'* 


1  -'^'0. 


*<'i 


i:d 


').'-'■:  I 


ifin-K 


Wf: 


188 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


and  the  enlarged  ideas  attendant  upon  education  and  inter* 
course  witli  intelligent  Europeans,  slic  seemed  entirely  to 
lose  all  desire  of  associating  with  her  own  people, 

UoKb  and  his  wife  sailed  for  England  in  1(510,  and 
re!f.ehed  riyinouth  on  the  12th  of  June.  Great  interest 
was  excited  by  their  arrival,  both  at  court  and  among 
many  people  of  distinction.  Captain  Smith  prepared  an 
addj-ess  to  the  queen  upon  this  occasion,  setting  forth  in 
quaint,  but  touching  language,  the  continued  kindness 
and  valuable  services  received  by  himself  and  the  colony 
at  large  from  Pocahontas.  He  commended  her  to  his 
royal  mistress,  as  "the  first  Christian  euer  of  that  Nation, 
the  first  A^irginiau  euer  spake  English,  or  had  a  childc  in 
mari'iage  by  an  Englishman,  a  matter  surely  worthy  a 
Princes  vnderstandi ng." 

AVhen  Smith  met  with  his  preserver  at  Branford,  where 
she  was  staying  with  her  husband  after  her  anival  in  Eng- 
land, his  demeanor  did  not  at  first  satisfy  her.  Etiquette, 
and  the  restraints  of  English  customs,  prevented  him  per- 
haps from  making  such  demonstration  of  afl'ection  as  she 
had  expected  from  her  adojited  father.  "After  a  modest 
salutation,"  he  says,  "without  any  word,  she  turned  lier- 
S(;lf  about,  obscured  her  face  as  not  seeming  well  contented ; 
and  in  that  humour,  her  husband,  with  diuers  others,  we 
all  left  her  two  or  thi-ce  hourcs,  repenting  myself  to  haue 
writ  shee  could  speake  English." 

This  ]iique,  or  whatever  emotion  it  may  have  been,  soon 
passed  oi\]  and  she  began  to  converse  freely  upon  old  times 
and  scenes.  She  said  she  would  always  call  Smith  her 
father,  that  he  should  call  her  child,  and  ever  consider  her 
as  his  "Countrieman."  It  seems  that  she  had  been  told 
that  he  was  dead,  and  only  learned  the  truth  on  reaching 
England.  Powhatan  had  been  anxious  to  get  intelligence 
of  his  old  rival,  and  specially  commissioned  an  Indian  of 
his  council,  named  Uttomatomakkin,  whom  he  sent  over 


INDIANS  OF  VllUilMA. 


180 


to  Englaml,  to  find  out  Ciiptuiii  Sinitli;  to  sec  the  I'-iig- 
lislimuii's  (lod,  their  quoeii,  {iiid  their  ])rince;  luul  to 
.iscertiiiii  tlie  uiiinber  ol'  the  country's  inhabitants. 

'i'liis  hist  clireetioii  lie  endeavored  to  perlbnu  by  carrying' 
a  stick  witli  him,  and  making  a  notcli  for  ev(jry  nuiu  he 
saw,  "but  he  was  quickly  wearie  of  that  task." 

Captain  Argall,  llolfe,  and  others,  having  been  furnished 
with  an  outfit  for  Virginia,  iu  1017,  Pocahontas  (known 
as  Itebecca,  since  her  baptism  and  conversion,)  was  about 
to  revisit  her  native  country,  but  was  taken  suddenly  ill, 
and  died  at  Gravesend.  "Shec  made  not  more  sorrow  for 
hei-  vnexpccted  death,  than  ioy  to  the  beholders  to  hcare 
and  sec  her  make  so  religious  and  godly  an  end."  She 
left  one  child,  Thomas  Kolfc,  who  afterwards  resided  in 
Virginia,  and  from  whom  many  families  in  that  state  still 
trace  their  origin.  The  celebrated  John  llandolph,  of 
lloanoke,  was  one  of  his  descendants. 

At  Jamestown,  Argall  found  matters  in  a  bad  state. 
Little  was  attended  to  but  the  raising  of  tobacco,  which 
was  seen  growing  in  the  streets  and  market  place.  The 
savages  had  become  bold  and  familiar,  "as  frequent  in  the 
colonists'  houses  as  themselues,  wliereby  they  were  become 
expert  in  the  English  arms."  They  broke  out,  in  some 
instances,  into  open  murder  and  robbery,  but  the  old  chief 
Opechancanough,  when  redress  was  demanded,  disclaimed 
all  knowledge  of  or  participation  in  the  outrages. 

The  venerable  Powhatan  died  in  April,  of  the  year 
1618,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  second  brother  Itopatin. 
The  new  king,  as  well  as  the  formidable  Opechancanough, 
seemed  desirous  of  continuing  at  peace  with  the  whites. 
Despite  his  protestations  of  friendship,  and  renewal  of 
solemn  leagues  and  covenants,  the  old  king  of  Pamaunky 
was  still  held  in  sore  suspicion,  and  it  is  plain  that  Indian 
power,  if  roused  against  the  colony,  was  growing  formida- 
ble. The  historian  expresses  his  amazement  "to  understand 


1 1 


i 


i 


l\    1'   ' ',  "        »  •  I,  ) 


■J-'Tr-Tf*T^ 


^%-'l-- 


',   '] 


/•-  '     ■■■■  'i  '" 


''in 


■I 


•  1  fi 


•«i 


M  ' )    I      J  « 

y  i       '14 


U  j(!i 


i'f 


r '  '■ 


!  (I*    ,  i 


III 


■v." 


190 


INDIAN"  KACE9  OF  AMKUICA. 


liow  strangely  the  Siiluiigcs  luid  bectic  taiiglit  the  use  of 
arms,  and  iuiplo'uHl  in  linnting  and  fowling  witii  our  Inwl- 
iiig  })iocos,  and  our  men  rooting  in  the  ground  about 
'J'obaceo  like  Swine." 

John  Tory,  secretary  of  the  '  ly,  undertook  a  settle- 
ment on  the  eastern  shore  in  a  ^i.  Namenaeus,  king  of 
]':'., tnxent,  visited  him,  and  expressed  his  good-will  in 
8t3le  eharaeteristie  of  Indian  meta[>hor.  Baring  his  breast, 
says  Tory,  he  asked  "if  we  saw  any  deformity  vpon  it, 
we  told  him,  No;  No  more,  said  he,  is  the  inside,  but  as 
sineere  and  pure;  therefore  come  freely  to  my  Countric 
and  weleome."  The  English  were  accom])anied  by  Tliomas 
Salvage  as  interpreter;  a  youth  wdio,  sixteen  years  before, 
had  been  left  with  Powhatan  for  the  purpose  of  acquiring 
the  Iiulian  language,  and  who  afterwards  proved  of  great 
service  to  the  colony. 

AVhen  the  party  reached  the  dwelling  of  Narncnacus 
and  his  brother  AV^amanato,  they  were  most  hospitably 
received  and  entertained.  Boiled  oysters  were  set  before 
them  in  a  "brasse  Kettle  as  bright  without  as  within," 
and  the  alliance  was  cemented  by  exchange  of  presents, 
Wamanato  promised  to  keep  what  he  had  received 
"whilst  he  lived,  and  burie  them  with  him  being  dead. 
Ilee  much  wondered  at  our  Bible,"  proceeds  Pory,  "but 
much  more  to  heare  it  was  the  law  of  our  God,  and  the 
first  Chapter  of  Genesis  expounded  of  Adam  and  Eve, 
and  simple  marriage;  to  which  he  replied  he  was  like 
Adam  in  one  thing,  for  he  neuer  had  but  one  wife  at 
once ;  but  he,  as  all  the  rest,  seemed  more  willing  of  other 
discourses  they  better  vnderstood." 


I 


i' 


r 


INDIAN'a  OF  VllUllNIA. 


ClIAl'TKU  V. 


iUl 


THE  VinaiNIA  MASSACRES  OF  Ki'J'J,  AND  OF  1041   (oR  1044) — 
IJKATK  Ol'  Ol'liCIIANCANOUGH. 

TiiK  spring  of  1022  was  ineiriomblo  for  a  deep-laid  and 
}>artiiilly-successful  plot,  attributed  in  no  small  measure  to 
the  eontrivance  of  Opceliuneanough,  for  tlie  extermina- 
tion of  the  English  colony.  The  settlers  had  come  to  K)()k 
upon  the  Indians  with  a  mixture  of  condescension  and 
contemi)t;  they  admitted  them  freel^''  ii'^'^  their  houses; 
suffered  them  to  acquire  the  use  of  English  wea})ons;  and 
took  little  or  no  precautions  against  an  outbreak.  The 
plantations  and  villages  of  the  whites  were  widely  sepa- 
rated and  ill-protected,  ofl'ering  an  easy  opportunity  for  a 
sudden  and  concerted  attack. 

No  suspicions  whatever  were  entertained  of  any  hostile 
intent  upon  the  part  of  the  savages  until  just  before  the 
massacre  commenced,  and  then  there  was  neither  time  nor 
opportunity  to  convey  the  intelligen'  ^  to  the  distant  set- 
tlements. The  plot  was  so  arranged  that  upon  a  day 
appointed,  the  22d  of  March,  the  Indians  spread  them- 
selves throughout  the  settlements,  and,  going  into  the 
houses,  or  joining  the  laborers  in  the  field,  on  pretence  of 
trade,  took  the  first  opportunity  to  kill  those  with  whom 
they  were  communicating,  by  a  blow  from  behind. 

No  less  than  three  hundred  and  fortv-seven  of  the  Eng- 
lish  perished,  the  most  extensive  massacre  at  any  one  spot 
beiiig  that  in  Martin's  Hundred,  only  seven  miles  from 
Jamestown.  The  savages  spared  not  their  best  friends, 
with  whom  they  had  held  amicable  intercourse  for  years, 
but  availed  themselves  of  that  very  intimacy  to  carry  out 
their  bloody  design  with  the  greater  secrecy  and  impu- 
nity. One  only  showed  signs  of  relenting.  "  The  slaugh- 
ter had  been  universall  if  God  had  not  put  it  into  the 


i 


'v^-^.r^ 


■ '.. 


■  ir 


,  ^■'"•'H 


mm 


;■■;;  ^M-. 


^■-:i 


n 


I,-.     I 


i»u 


1!>2 


INDIAN'  HACKS  OF  AMKIlIdA. 


lu'url  of  uii  Iiidian,  \\lit»  !viii;jj  in  \\n)  house;  of  one  P;ic(>, 
was  \U''^\'i\  by  Jiiiollicr  Iinli;ui,  liis  hrothcr,  that  lay  with 
liini  tho  ni<^ht  Ik'Toic,  to  kill  I'ai-c  jis  lie  sliouhl  do  I'l'i'i'V, 
wliich  was  his  friiMid,  l)oiii^soi;oiiiiiiaudcd  from  thi'ir  kin-f." 

Jnsti'ad  of  coiiipljiii^',  Uo.  rose,  and  nuulc  known  It)  hi.s 
Lost  till!  ])lan  of  tho  next  day's  attack.  ]*uce  carried  the 
intelligence  to  Jiunestown  witii  the  utmost  expetlition, 
and  the  caution  was  sj)reiul  as  far  as  poshible.  Wherever 
the  Indians  saw  the  Kn^lish  n[)on  tlieir  ^uard,  no  attempt 
was  made;  upon  them,  even  whci'e  tiiere  was  a  ^noss  dis- 
parity in  numbers.  One  of  Smith's  old  guard,  Nathaniel 
Causii>,  after  receiving  u  severe  wound,  seized  an  axe,  and 
put  those  to  flight  who  had  set  uj)on  him.  In  another 
instance,  two  men  re])elled  the  attack  of  sixty  savagt's, 
and  a  Mr.  Baldwin,  at  Warraskoyaek,  defended  his  house 
and  its  imnates  single  handed,  the  Indians  being  unwilling 
to  stand  his  lire.  Women,  children,  and  unarmed  men;  all 
who  could  be  taken  unawares,  were  murdered,  and  their 
bodies  hacked  and  mutilated.  No  tie  of  iVieiulship  or 
former  favor  proved  stiong  enough  to  stay  the  hand  of  the 
remorseless  foe.  A  Mr.  Thorp,  who  had  shown  every  kind- 
ness to  the  Indians,  and  especially  to  the  king,  was  one 
of  the  victims,  his  "dead  corps  Ixiing  abused  with  such 
spight  and  seorne  as  is  unfit  to  be  heard  with,  ciuill  eares." 
He  had  formerly  built  a  convenient  house  for  the  sachem, 
"after  the  English  fashion,  in  which  he  took  such  pU^asure, 
especially  in  the  locke  and  key,  which  he  soe  admired  as 
locking  and  vnlocking  his  doore  a  hundred  times  a  day, 
he  thought  no  device  in  the  Avorld  comparable  to  it." 

It  was  su])poscd  that  the  mt^tive  which  operated  most 
forcibly  upon  Opeehancanough,  in  urging  him  to  these 
enoimities,  was  the  death  of  Nemattanow,  one  of  his  favor- 
ites, s^ylcd  "Jack  of  tlic  Feather,  because  hec  commonly 
was  most  str.angely  adorned  with  them."  This  India) i  wa.s 
shot,  about  a  fortnight  before  the  massacre,  for  the  mm- 


'v,  r  y^'^''*^ 


INDIANS  OF  VIltCilNIA. 


193 


dor  of  u  man  nanictl  Nfor^an,  wliotri  ho  oiiticiMl  from  homo 
on  protoiice  of  tiado. 

Litllo  activo  cllbrts  wcro  made  to  revciigo  tho  uprising 
of  tho  Indian:^.  After  tho  bloody  day  in  Marcli,  no  ;.^oii- 
I'ral  engaj^a-mcnt  took  phicc  hctwcon  tiio  Kn^iisii  and  iho 
.savages  until  tho  ensuing  autumn,  when  an  army  of  threo 
hundroil  colonist*}  nuirohod  to  Nundsainuutl,  uud  laid  waste 
the  country. 

The  bitterest  animosity  prevailed  for  many  years  be- 
tween the  rival  claimants  to  the  country — tho  Indians  and 
the  pale  faces,  wlio  wore  supplanting  them,  insidiously,  or  by 
open  warfare.  'J'he  old  chief  Opoehancanough  remained 
long  a  thorn  in  tho  sides  of  tho  colonists;  and,  as  late  as 
lOtl,  nine  years  after  the  conclusion  of  a  settled  |)eace,  ho 
organized  a  conspiracy,  which  resulted  in  the  destruction  of 
even  a  larger  number  of  tho  whit(^s  tluin  fell  in  tho  m:u«?- 
sacre  of  1()22.  The  time  of  tho  second  uprising  is  lixed, 
by  some,  three  years  later  than  tho  date  above  mentioned. 

After  that  event,  the  war  was  pursued  with  tho  energy 
that  tho  dangerous  circumstances  of  the  colony  required ; 
and  the  aged  chief,  falling  into  tho  hands  of  the  English, 
was  carried  captive  to  Jamestown.  Regard  to  his  infirmi- 
ties and  age  restrained  the  authorities  from  showing  him 
indignity  or  unkindness,  but  he  was  shot  by  a  private  sol- 
dier, in  revenge,  as  is  supposed,  for  some  former  injury. 
Although  so  enfeebled  by  the  weight  of  years  as  to  be 
utteily  helpless,  and  unable  even  to  raise  his  eyelids  with- 
out a.ssistance,  the  venerable  chief  still  maintained  his  dig- 
nity and  firmness;  and,  just  before  his  death,  rebuked 
Berkley,  the  governor,  for  sullering  his  people  to  crowd 
around  and  gaze  upon  him. 

It  is  said,  by  some  historians,  that  he  was  not  a  native 
of  Virginia,  but  that  he  was  reputed  among  his  subjects 
and  the  neighboring  tribes,  to  have  been  formerly  a  king 
over  a  nation  far  to  tlie  south-west. 
13 


r 


m'0w 


in 


-  .  ■  t^  ■  ■  I  1 


i..:l 


'  ,<■     • ' 


i-4 


'4i4^^\- ' 


ui 


194  INDIAN  HACKS  OF     MERICA. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

smith's  ACCOJNT  of  the    numbers,  appearance,  and  HABIT.i    Of 

THE   INDIANS. 

«     ♦    *     *     To  the  door 
The  red  man  slowly  driigs  the  enormous  bear, 
Sluin  in  the  chestnut  thicket,  or  flings  down 
The  deer  from  his  strong  shoulders." — Bkvant. 

Virginia,  like  every  other  divisian  df  the  eastern  coast 
of  North  America,  was  but  thinly  inhabited  when  the 
white  settlements  first  commenced.  As  hunting  formed 
the  chief  means  of  subsistence  to  the  nativ(^s  during  a 
considerable  portion  of  the  year,  it  was  im})racticablc  for 
them  to  live  closely  congregated.  There  were  con.puted  to 
be,  within  sixty  miles  of  the  settlement  of  Jamestown,  some 
five  thousand  Indians,  of  whom  not  quite  one-third  were 
men  serviceable  in  war.  The  lower  portion  of  the  Pow- 
hatan or  James'  river,  below  the  falls,  passed  through  the 
country  of  the  great  king  and  tribe  who  bore  the  same  name : 
among  the  mountains  at  its  source  dwelt  the  ^lonacans. 
The  great  nations  were  sub-divided  into  a  number  of  small- 
er tribes,  each  subject  to  its  own  Werowance,  or  king. 

The  stature  and  general  appearance  of  dill'erent  races 
among  them  presented  considerable  discrepancy.  Of  the 
Sasquesahanoeks,  Smith  says:  "Such  great  and  well-pro- 
portioned men  are  seldome  scene,  for  they  seemed  like* 
giants  to  the  English. — For  their  language,  it  may  well 
beseeme  their  proportions,  S9unding  from  them  as  a  voyce 
in  a  vault."  One  of  their  chief  Werowances  measured 
three-quarters  of  a  yard  about  the  calf  of  his  leg,  "and 
all  the  rest  of  his  limbs  so  answerable  to  that  proportion, 
that  he  seemed  the  goodliest  man  we  ever  beheld.  IJis 
hayre,  the  one  side,  was  long,  the  other  shore  close,  with 
a  ridge  like  a  cock's  combe." 


INDIANS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


195 


These  people  were  dressed  in  bear  and  wolf-skins :  "some 
have  Cassacks  made  of  Bearc's  heads  and  skinnes,  thfit  a 
man's  head  goes  through  the  skinnes  neck,  and  the  eares 
of  the  Beare  fastened  to  his  shoulders,  the  nose  and  teeth 
hanging  downe  his  breast,  another  Bcare's  face  split  ))e- 
hind  him,  and  at  the  end  of  the  nose  hung  a  paw. — One 
had  the  head  of  a  Wolfe  hanging  in  a  chaine  for  a  icwell; 
his  tobacco  pipe  three  quarters  of  a  yard  long,  prettily 
carued  with  a  Bird,  a  Deere,  or  some  such  devise  at  tlie 
great  end,  sufficient  to  beat  out  ones  brainos." 

Further  to  the  South,  upon  the  llappahanock,  and  other 
adjacent  rivers,  dwelt  an  inferior  people,  of  small  stature. 
The  Moii^cans,  Mannahocks,  Sasquesahanocks,  and  other 
tribes,  which  environed  the  Powhatan  country,  were  so 
dissimilar  in  their  language,  that  they  could  only  commu- 
nicate by  interpretation. 

The  clothing  of  all  these  Indians  consisted  principally 
of  skins,  dressed  with  or  without  the  hair,  according  to 
the  season.  Occasionally  would  be  seen  a  mantle  neatly 
and  thickly  covered  with  feathers,  so  fastened  as  to  appear 
like  a  natural  growth ;  but  many  of  the  savages  contented 
themselves  with  very  simple  and  pi'imitivc  habiliments, 
woven  from  grass  and  leaves.  Tattooi  iig  was  common,  cspt  • 
cially  among  the  women,  and  the  red  powdered  root  of  the 
poconc,  mixed  with  oil  to  the  consistency  of  paint,  served 
to  satisfy  their  barbaric  taste  for  fimci fully  coloring  the 
body.  He  was  "the  most  gallant  who  was  the  most  mon- 
strous to  behold."  Their  cars  were  generally  bored,  and 
pendants  of  copper  and  other  ornaments  were  attaclied, 
"Some  of  their  men  weare  in  those  holes  a  small  green 
and  yellow  coloured  snake,  near  half  a  yarde  in  length, 
which,  crawling  and  lapping  herself  about  his  necke, 
oftentimes  would  familiarly  kisse  his  lips." 

Their  wigwams  were  much  after  the  usual  fashion,  warm^ 
but  smoky,  and  stood  in  the  midst  of  the  planting  grounds 


f 


flrT-'-T^-w*?*^ 


W  P-^ 


4»       6 


*  ■:,  ;i.,;:j'f^'Ti 


«^-j' 


(     1 


:^^ 


■ii 


UK 


L96 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


wlierc  they  raised  their  beans,  corn,  and  pompions.  About 
the  dwellings  of  some,  mulberry-trees  were  planted,  and 
fine  groves  of  the  same  grew  naturally  in  various  ])arts  of 
the  country.  The  English  made  an  attempt  to  raise  silk 
here,  "and  surcl}'  the  wormes  prospered  excellent  well  till 
the  master-workman  fell  sicke.  During  which  time  they 
were  eaten  with  rats."  To  eil'ect  a  clearing,  the  custom 
of  the  natives  was  to  girdle  tlie  trees  by  bruising  and  burn- 
ing the  bark  near  the  root;  and,  in  the  ensuing  year,  the 
soil  was  rudely  loosened  for  the  reception  of  the  seed. 

During  a  great  part  of  the  year  they  were  obliged  to 
resort  to  the  natural  productions  of  the  forest,  sea,  and 
rivers  for  their  support;  and,  as  their  diet  varied  with  the 
season,  "even  as  the  deere  and  wild  beasts,  they  seemed 
fat  and  leane,  strong  and  weake."  In  the  spring  they  re- 
lied chielly  u})on  fish  and  small  game;  in  summer,  before 
the  green  corn  was  ready  for  use,  they  were  obliged  to  eke 
out  a  subsistence  with  roots,  acorns,  and  shell-fish.  Some 
species  of  acorns,  besides  being  useful  as  food,  furnished  an 
oil  with  which  the  natives  anointed  their  heads  and  joints. 

Smith  enumerates  many  of  the  wild  fruits  and  game 
which  were  sought  by  the  Indians,  describing  them  in 
quaint  and  forcible  language.  It  is  singular  to  observe 
how  the  original  Indian  names  of  plants  and  animals  have 
been  altered  and  corrupted  on  their  adoption  by  the  Eng- 
lish. All  will  recognize  the  "putchamin,"  whose  "fruit  is 
like  a  medlar;  it  is  first  greene,  then  yellow,  then  red, 
when  it  is  ripe;  if  it  be  not  ripe,  it  will  draw  a  mans 
mouth  awry,  with  much  torment."  Broth  or  bread  made 
from  the  "Chechinquamin,"  (Chincopin),  was  considered  a 
great  dainty. 

With  a  slight  change  of  orthography,  the  "  Aroughcun, 
a  beast  much  like  a  badger,  but  which  useth  to  live  on 
trees  as  squirrels  doe,"  becomes  familiar,  as  do  also  the 
'Opassum"  and  "Mussascus." 


r;i;::i::J 


rfi     . 


^^:: 


r  r 


IXriANS  OF  VIRCtINIA. 


107 


Among  the  fish,  a  kind  of  rny  attracted  the  worthy  cap- 
tain's special  admiration,  being  "so  like  the  picture  of  St. 
George  his  dragon  as  possible  can  be,  except  his  legs  and 


wings. 


The  Indians  fished  with  nets,  woven  with  no  little  skill; 
with  hooks  of  bone;  with  the  spear;  and  with  arrows 
attaclied  to  lines.  For  other  game,  the  principal  weapon 
was  the  bow  and  arrow.  The  arrows  were  generally 
headed  with  bone  or  flint,  but  sometimes  with  the  spur 
of  a  turkey  or  a  bird's  bill.  It  is  astonishing  how  the  stone 
arrow-heads,  which  arc,  to  this  day,  found  scattered  over 
oar  wliole  country,  could  have  been  shaped,  or  attached 
to  the  reed  with  any  degree  of  firmness.  Smith  says  that 
a  small  bone  was  worn  constantly  at  the  "bracert"  for  the 
purpose  of  manufacturing  them — probably  to  hold  the 
flint  while  it  Vv'as  chipped  into  shape  by  another  stone— 
and  that  a  strong  glue,  obtained  by  boiling  deer's  horns 
and  sinews,  served  to  fasten  them  securely.  Very  soon 
after  intercourse  with  Europeans  commenced,  these  rude 
implements  were  superseded  by  those  of  iron. 

Deer  were  hunted  witli  most  effect,  by  driving  in  large 
companies,  dispersed  through  the  woods.  When  a  single 
hunter  undertook  the  pursuit,  it  was  usual  for  him  to  dis- 
guise himself  in  the  skin  of  a  deer,  thrusting  his  arm 
through  the  neck  into  the  head,  which  was  so  stuffed  as 
to  resemble  that  of  the  living  animal.  Thus  accoutred  he 
would  gradually  approach  his  prey,  imitating  the  motions 
of  a  deer  as  nearly  as  possible,  stopping  occasionally,  and 
appearing  to  be  occupied  in  licking  his  body,  until  near 
enough  for  a  shot. 

In  war  these  Indians  pursued  much  the  same  course  as 
the  other  eastern  nations.  On  one  occasion,  at  Mattapa- 
nient,  they  entertained  Smith  and  his  companions  with  a 
sham  fight,  one  division  taking  the  part  of  Monacans,  and 

After  the  first  discharge  of 


the  other  of  Powhatan:i 


1^  • 

f 


■ 

1 

.  'i' 

i 

1 

41.' 

|i. 

\''^ 

1 

!,iS,f,iiM 

1 

;■?  n 

TV't^R^H 

-   I 


i;)8 


INDIAN  llACES  OF  AMLiRICA. 


arrows,  he  says,  "tlicy  gave  sucli  horrible  shouts  anu 
screeches  as  so  many  infernall  hell-hounds  could  not  hauc 
made  them  more  terrible."  During  the  whole  pcrforni- 
ance,  "  their  actions,  voyces,  and  gestures,  were  so  strained 
to  the  height  of  their  quality  and  nature,  that  the  strange- 
nesso  thereof  made  it  secme  very  delightl\il."  Their 
martial  music  consisted  of  thi  discordant  sounds  produced 
by  rude  drums  and  rattles. 


1 1 

!  I 


;|i< 


L. 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


CHAPTEll  I. 

CONDUCT  OF  EARLY  VOYAGKRS — ARRIVAL  OP  THE    MAY-FLOWER— 

SAMOSET TISQUANTUM MASSASOIT WESTOn's  COLONY 

CAUNBITANt's  CONSi'IKACY TRADE  IN  FIRE-ARMS 

THOMAS  MORTON DEATH  OF  MASSASOIT  AND 

ALEXANDER,  AND  ACCESSION  OF  PHILIP. 

"Erewhile,  where  yo'  gav  spires  their  brightness  rear, 
Trees  waved,  and  the  brown  hunter's  shouts  were  loud 
Atnld  the  forest;  and  the  bounding  deer 
Fled  at  the  glancing  plume,  and  the  gaunt  wolf  yelled  near." 

Bryant. 

It  is  lamentable  to  reflect  that  in  the  primitive  dealings 
between  the  venturous  Europeans  and  aborigines  of  Amer- 
ica, the  kindly  welcome  and  the  hospitable  reception  were 
the  part  of  the  savage,  and  treachery,  kidnapping  and 
murder  too  frequently  that  of  the  civilized  and  nominally 
Cliristian  visitor. 

It  appears  to  have  been  matter  of  common  custom 
among  these  unscrupulous  adventurers  to  seize  by  force 
or  fraud  on  the  persons  of  their  simple  entertainers,  and 
to  cany  them  olf  as  curiosities  to  the  distant  shores  of 
Europe.  Columbus,  with  kindly  motives,  brought  several 
of  tlie  W(?st  Indian  natives  to  the  Spanish  court; — others, 
whom  his  follower  Pinzon  had  kidnapped,  he  restored 
to  their  friends.  Cabot,  in  his  memorable  expedition, 
followed  the  same  example,  and  the  early  French  discov- 


Tf*T^ 


■  m^ 


I-  ■'■-.■Ml 


! '  '  *H 


■Ir-J 


'V    h 


■"m 

,  imJ¥        A       Ai.  tf  J         ft 


i>  m 


^% 


A' 


9 


f'     <     : 


i.      * 


iy 


If    , 

m\  1 


f; 
O 

■'     I' 


2U0 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


crers  were  peculiarly  culpaLlc  in  this  respect.  ^lost  atra 
cious  of  all  was  the  comluct  ol"  Thomas  Jluiit,  who,  Id 
161-1,  at  Monlii<^()n,  enticed  twcnty-lbur  of  these  unfortu- 
nate people  on  board  his  vessel,  and  carried  theiu  to 
Malaga,  as  slaves — an  inhuman  })ieee  of  treachery,  to 
which  the  English  were  i)robably  indebted  for  much  (jf 
the  subsequent  hostilities  evinced  by  the  Indians  of 
New  England. 

On  the  Gtli  of  September,  1620,  the  ^[ay-Flower,  freighted 
with  forty-one  adventurous  enthusiasts,  the  germ  of  a 
Avestern  empire,  sailed  from  ]*lymouth  in  England;  and 
on  the  9th  of  the  following  November  arrived  on  the 
barren  and  inclement  shores  of  Ca])e  Cod.  A  Lew  days 
^  afterwards  a  reeonnoiteiing  party  caught  sight  of  a  small 
number  of  the  natives,  who,  however,  fled  at  tlieir  ap- 
])roach.  On  the  8tli  of  December,  a  slight  and  desultoi'y 
action  occurred,  the  Indians  atlnnpting  to  surprise  the 
Pilgrims  by  night.  They  were,  however,  discomlited  :uid 
compelled  to  retreat,  leaving,  among  other  trophies,  eight- 
een arrows,  "headed  Avitli  brass,  some  with  harts-horiis, 
and  others  with  eagles'  claws." 

On  the  11th.  of  December  (0.  S.),  memorable  in  tlie 
annals  of  America,  the  little  band  of  ])ilgrinis  landed,  and 
fixed  their  lirst  settlement  at  Plymouth.  The  Indians,  it 
would  appear,  looked  with  evil  eyes  u2:)on  the  })ious  colo- 
nists; for,  says  an  old  narrator,  "they  got  all  the  powaws 
in  the  country,  who,  for  three  da^ys  together,  in  a  liorid 
and  devilish  manner,  did  curse  and  execrate  them  with 
their  coTijurations,  which  assembly  and  service  they  held 
in  a  dark  and  dismal  swamp.  Behold  how  Satan  labored 
to  hinder  the  gospel  fi'om  coming  into  New  England." 

The  appearance  of  the  friendly  chief  Samoset,  at  the 
settlement;  his  welcome  in  broken  English;  his  manners, 
and  discourse;  are  quaintly  detailed  by  the  historians  of 
the  colony.     JIc  had  acquired  some  knowledge  of  tho 


# 


.!        .   t  t 


fii.lf 


S-'.'ti': 


M 


i"  ■    fl 


rxTKRvrr.  Tf^   of  kimouft   with   the   riLORtM$. 


-^vt 


ii 


"''»'J!f 


''N! 


W 


m^ 


m 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS.  201 

I 

English  language  by  intercourse  with  the  crews  and  mas- 
ters of  vessels  employed  in  fishing  upon  the  coast,  and 
readily  conimunieated  such  information  as  the  settlers 
required  concerning  the  nature  of  the  country  and  its 
inhabitants,  lie  informed  them  of  the  manner  in  which 
the  district  where  they  were  located  had  been  depopulated 
only  four  years  previous,  by  some  incurable  disease;  a 
circumstance  to  which  the  feeble  colony  not  improbably 
owed  its  preservation. 

Before  the  bold  and  friendly  advances  made  by  Samoset, 
the  only  communication  between  the  colonists  and  the 
original  iidiabitants  had  been  of  a  hostile  character.  1'he 
natural  fears  and  jealousy  of  the  savages,  and  the  supersti- 
tious horror  of  the  English  at  the  heathenish  powwaws 
and  incantations  which  they  witnessed,  together  with  the 
want  of  a  eonnnon  language,  had  kept  the  little  company  of 
adventurers  in  a  state  of  complete  isolation  during  the  wIk^Ic' 
of  the  cold  and  dreary  winter  that  succeeded  their  arrival. 

It  was  in  the  month  of  ^farch  that  a  peaceful  communi- 
cation was  established  with  the  natives,  tlirough  the  inter- 
vention of  Samoset.  He  introduced,  among  other  of  his 
companions,  the  noted  Tisquantum,  or  Squanto,  who  was 
one  of  the  twenty-four  kidnapped  by  Hunt,  at  a  former 
period.  By  his  knowledge  of  the  country  and  coast,  and 
his  acquaintance  with  their  language,  Squanto  became  of 
great  service  to  the  colonists,  and  continued  their  friend 
until  his  death,  which  took  place  in  1622,  while  he  Avas 
on  his  passage  down  the  coast,  in  the  capacity  of  pilot  to 
an  expedition  fitted  out  for  the  purjjose  of  purchasing 
sujiplies  of  corn  and  other  necessaries.  ]\[uch  of  romantic 
interest  attaches  to  the  history  and  adventures  of  this  ser- 
viceable Indian,  both  during  his  cajjlivity  and  after  hia 
I'cstoration  to  his  own  country.  Escaping  by  the  as- 
sistance of  certain  kindly-disposed  monks,  from  Spain, 
where  he,  with  his  companions,  had  been  sold  in  slavery, 


1^^    il 


( 


*>•  »,  'i!  !»1i/| 


-:'*? 


'*<•' 


■■  ■     -i    ' 


: :  r^ 


■.'Ml 


I  .■',)• '.li*  I 


•liil 


M» 


202 


INUIAX  RACES  O^  AMKKICA. 


ho  readied  l^iiigliuul,  and  was  taken  into  tlio  employment 
of  a  TiOndon  mercliuiit,  named  Slaney,  by  whom  lie  was 
sent  as  piK)t,  or  in  some  other  capaeity,  to  various  i)laees 
on  the  eastern  eoast. 

He  was  brought  baek  to  Patuxet,  the  Indian  name  of 
the  country  in  whieh  the  ])ilgrims  first  landed,  by  C;iptaiii 
'i'honias  Dermer,  who  sailed  in  the  employ  of  Sir  Ferdi- 
nando  Gorges,  during  the  sununer  preeeding  the  arrivid 
of  the  ^fay-Flower.  Aller  his  introduelicm  by  Samosct, 
he  remained  with  his  new  lilies,  instrueting  them  in  the 
mode  of  raising  c(jrn,  to  whieh  they  were  strangers;  in  the 
b(>st  methods  of  fishing;  aiul  making  himself  of  inestima- 
bio  serviee, 

I))'  the  friendly  influenee  of  Squanto  and  Samoset,  who 
acted  as  interpreters,  a  league  of  amity  and  mutmd  ])ro- 
tection  was  elfeeted  between  the  colony  and  the  j.xnverful 
sachem  Afassasoit,  father  of  the  still  more  celebrated  Philip. 
^Tassasoit's  head-quarters  were  at  Mount  Hope,  on  Narra- 
gansctt  bay,  overlooking  the  present  town  of  Bristol;  a 
striking  feature  in  a  landscape  of  remarkable  beauty,  and 
connnanding  from  its  summit  a  magnificent  prospect  of 
island,  bay  and  ocean.  His  authority  extended  over  all 
the  Indian  tribes  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Pl^-mouth 
colony,  and  he  held  an  uncertain  but  infiuential  sway  over 
portions  of  other  nations  far  into  the  interior. 

In  the  month  of  July,  1621,  some  of  the  ])rineipal 
inh.d)itants  of  the  settlement,  among  others,  Edward 
AVinslow  and  Stejdien  Hopkins,  went  on  an  embassy  to 
the  court  of  this  chief,  as  well  to  observe  his  power  and 
resources  as  to  renew  the  amicable  treaties  before  entered 
into,  '^riiey  carried  such  attractive  ornaments  and  apparel 
as  would  please  the  eye  of  a  savage. 

They  were  accompanied  by  Squanto;  and  although  their 
entertainment,  both  as  respects  food  and  lodgings,  Avas  but 
gorry,,  yet  they  were  received  in  a  spirit  of  fi'iendliness. 


NKW  ENCll-AM)  INDIANS. 


203 


Thoy  obtained  much  useful   iiiforination  ooncorning  tlio 
piiiTourulin^  tnbos,  and  also  leanujil  the  power  uiul  nuni 
bers  of  the  Narra^^^aiisettH. 

The  ship  Fortune  ari'ived  at  IMvinouth,  in  the  month 
of  November,  l)rin;_Mii^f  out  thirty-five  (Miiii^rauts:  but  no 
provisions  for  their  su])poil;  iu  eoiisctpuMutc;  of  wliicli,  the 
colony  was  not  lonir  after  ^Mvatly  distressed  by  want.  To 
add  to  their  troubles  and  fears,  the  Narra^jjan setts  sent 
them  a  hostile  message,  expressed  by  u  bundle  of  ari'ows 
tied  with  a  snake  skin.  The  skin  was  n>turncd  lllled  with 
bullets,  and  the  governor  made  the  spirited  reply — "that, 
if  they  loved  war  rather  than  j)eaee,  they  might  begin 
when  they  would." 

The  houses  were  thenceforth  inehxsed  in  pahngs,  and 
every  precaution  was  taken,  by  watch  and  ward,  to  guard 
against  a  siulden  attack. 

Dui'ing  the  ensuing  year,  1()22,  two  ships  were  sent  over 
from  Mngland  by  a  Mr.  Thomas  Weston,  with  a  consider- 
able nund)cr  of  colonists;  in  one  of  them  came  "sixty  lusty 
men."  A  new  settlement  was  formed  by  them  at  AVesagus- 
quaset,  on  Massachusetts  Bay,  known  as  "Weston's  colon}'. 

The  dishone.'^tv  and  wast(»fulness  of  these  new  comers 
])rodueed  XGvy  inj'urious  elfects  u])on  the  welfare  of  the 
colony  at  large.  'V\\q  hostility  of  the  Indians  was  excited 
by  their  depredations,  and,  if  we  may  believe  the  old  nar- 
rations, they  were  even  base  enough  to  circulate  among 
the  natives  false  r(^])orts  of  an  intention  on  the  part  of  the 
Plymouth  authorities  to  attack  them,  and  forcibly  seize  their 
corn  and  provisions,  the  time  being  one  of  great  scarcity. 

Weston's  men  were  in  ])ossession  of  a  small  vessel,  in 
which  they  pro])osed  to  their  Plymouth  neighbors  to  un- 
(lertfike  an  expedition  round  Cape  Cod,  for  the  ])urpose  of 
trading  for  suppl ies  fi-oin  tl  le  natives.  After  two  unsuccess- 
fid  attempts,  having  been  delayed  by  rough  weather,  they 
succeeded  in  reaching  Xauset  and  Mattachiost,  where  thev 


LLr 


t' 


\     '■■'I 
■    ':•-.  Kr'A 


\^:,., 


•A- 1 
•  i. 


Hi, 


'Jul 


INl'lAN    liAi'KS   OF   AMHlilCA. 


wi. 


I   ! 


III*' 


K    ^,V: 


<)l)t.;iiii<'(l  II  (jtiiiiility  cf  CMni  niiil  Ik'MIi?.  Tt  w;is  nii  tlil,«> 
vova^o  thai  tln'S'  lo.-t,  llicir  ;jiiiilc  ,'iimI  iiilci'iuvtcr  Sijiianto. 
Hi'  had  hciMi  ;i  lli,^Ill_V  iiscrnl  and  raitliCnl  CMadjiilnr  to  tin. 
colonists;  liis  oiilv  faults  licin;.;  a  iialiiial  iiu'linatKui  to 
]>i"csuiii(!  ii|M)ii  liis  inipoi  laiH'c  ill  Iiis  iiilt'i'coiirsc  willi  his 
coiinti'viiicii.  ^I'his  h'll  him  t<>  exalt  hiniscll"  in  thcii'  cvrs 
l»_v  tail's  of  his  ,iL!ivat  in(lii('iic('  nxcr  the  MiiLi'lish,  ami  ex- 
n,L'"g('ratt'(|  rcpoi'ls  oC  thcii'  powci'S  aial  skill,  lie  allinin'il 
thai  tlicv  hail  t he  pla,L,'U(:  luiiicd  in  tlir  tii'oiinil,  which  they 
Could,  at,  plcasin'c,  let  loose  liir  the  dcsti'iu'tidii  oi'  the  In- 


aiiins.  Un  one  (teeasioii  he  was  heiieved,  lor  some  |ini']ioso 
of  his  own,  to  ha\i'  I'aised  a  falsi'  alarm  of  an  attack  hy  the 
Tsari'a,L,Miisetts,  ai:conii)anied   hy  Massasoit.     'I'his   saelicni 


1 


JCCUMK?  a 


t  last 


so 


cxasjieratcil  a^jainst  Sipianto,  that,  on  i 


li- 


vers occasions,  lie  sought  to  [Hit  him  to  death,  and  the  colo- 
nists had  no  small  dillieiilty  in  prcservin^L;' their  intt'rpn'tiT. 

( ii'cat  ii\alry  and  Jealonsy  existed  Ix.'tween  Sipianto  aiaj 
Ilohamak,  anothci-  friendly  Indian,  who  served  the  settlers 
ill  a  similar  capacity. 

In  the  y(!ar  1(12;!,  the  jx-ople  at  ^\^'ston's  plantation, 
]M'incipa!ly,  as  ap}>cars,  from  their  own  folly  and  impi  )vi- 
deuce,  were  ivdiieed  to  a  state  of  extreme  misery  and  des- 
titution. They  hccamc  scattered  in  small  parties,  obtaining 
u  ])recai'ioiis  sulisisteiiee  hy  g'allioi'in,u;  shell-fish,  and  by 
"woi'kin,Lr  foi-  (^i-  pilf(>riii,u  from  the  natives.  On  one  occu- 
►sioii  tlay  actually  haiiL'Ml  a  man  (or  stealinc;,  in  order  to 
j)acifv  the  Indians;  and  althtMiuh  it  apipears  ))rol)ahle  that 
he  whom  th(>y  c.x.ccnted  was,   in  reality,  t^niilty,  yet  they 


liave  he 


en  ai'ciiscd  ot  s])arin,u"  the  jiriiicipal  oileiuler,  as  an 
ahle-hodied  and  sei'vieeal)le  member  of  the  communitv, 
and  liangina',  in  his  stead,  an  old  and  decrepid  weaver. 
See  ''lludibras"  upon  this  ])()int.  • 


P 


An  e.\t(>nsive  conspiracy  "was  formed  among  various 
tribes  of  the  Mas-^aeliusetts  Indians,  and  others,  extending, 
as  some  supposed,  o.ww  to  the  iiiii.d)itants  of  the  island 


i. 


-•■#£■• 


-•r 


^*»w%- 


ii;i.  i.rini. 


ASh    IN  I  1. Mill  11  r.    "I'     rilK    rcl.OMSis. 


w 

* 


'Si 


'*5l 


it,r 


^»»^^ 


ill 

■!ii 

i.n'- 


i^'! 


NEW  ENGLAND   INDIANS. 


205 


I  1 


of  Capcwack,  or  ^rurtlia's  Yiiioyard,  for  tlic  purpose  of 
destroying  Weston's  colon)^,  and  pcrliaps  that  at  Plymouth 
also.  Caunbitant,  or  Corbitant,  one  of  ]\[assasoit's  most 
distinguished  subordinate  chiefs,  "was  a  prime  mover  in  this 
plot.  lie  had  always  entertained  hostile  feelings  towards 
the  English,  and  regarded  their  increase  and  prosperity  as 
of  fatal  tendency  to  the  welfare  of  his  own  people.  ^J'he 
design  was  made  known  to  some  of  the  chief  men  of  Ply- 
mouth, by  Massasoit,  (whom  the  leaders  of  the  conspiracy 
had  endeavored  to  di.^.w  into  their  plans,)  in  gratitude  for 
their  having  restored  him  from  n,  dangerous  fit  of  sickness. 
Having  been,  as  he  sup})Osed,  at  the  point  of  death,  he 
sent  for  assistance  to  the  colony,  and  Mr.  Edward  W'.ns- 
low  and  John  Ilamden,  (supposed  by  some  writers  to 
have  been  the  same  afterwards  so  celebrated  in  jMiglish 
history  for  his  resistance  to  royal  encroachments)  with 
llobamak  as  interpreter,  were  dispatched  to  his  assistance. 
In  order  to  check  the  purposed  uprising,  Ca])tain  Miles 
Standish,  with  only  eight  men,  proceeded  to  Wesagusqua- 
set,  and  attacking  the  Indians,  in  conjunction  with  Wes- 
ton's men,  overpowered  them,  killing  six  of  their  number; 
among  the  rest,  the  noted  and  dangerous  Wittuwamat. 
This  chief  had  displayed  great  boldness  and  spirit.  On 
the  arrival  of  Standish,  he,  with  others  of  his  company, 
declared  that  he  was  in  no  wise  ignorant  of  the  ]<]ufj;lish- 
man's  intentions.  '"Tell  Standish,'  said  he,  'we  know 
he  is  come  to  kill  us,  but  let  him  begin  when  he  dare.' 
ISTot  long  after,  many  would  come  to  the  fort,  and  whet  their 
knives  before  him,  with  many  braving  speeches.  One 
amongst  the  rest  was  by  Wittuwamat's  bragging  he  had  a 
knife  that  on  the  handle  had  a  woman's  face,  but  at  home 
I  have  one  that  hath  killed  both  French  and  English,  and 
that  hath  a  man's  face  upon  it,  c^nd  by  and  by  these  two 
must  marry;  but  this  here  by  and  by  shall  see,  and  by 
and  by  eat  but  not  spcake."     Of  the  manner  of  this  In- 


L- 


\     ': 


«  ■' ■,  >  -1  iiy 


•  :,;*  hit 


It 


S-^Tr, 


Hi 


■Ik'  4 


f 

-I 


I 


ll» 


f         ! 


(u.       1 


203 


INDIAX  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


diaii's  doatli,  and  that  of  Peksuot,  one  of  liis  principal 
companions,  killed  by  Standish  himself  in  a  desjieratc 
liand  to  liand  strnggle,  AVinslow  says:  "lUit  it  is  inen<di- 
i)le  how  many  wounds  these  two  panieses  received  before 
tliey  died,  not  making  any  fearful  noise,  but  catching  at 
their  wea})ons  and  striving  to  the  last."  Wittuwamat  had 
often  expressed  great  coiitem])t  of  the  English  i'oy  their 
■want  of  fortitude,  declaring  that  "they  died  crying,  making 
sour  faces,  more  like  children  than  men."  A  brother  of 
this  chief,  only  eighteen  years  of  age,  they  hanged. 

The  AVeston  j)lantation  was,  however,  broken  np,  the 
survivors,  much  reduced  in  numbers  b}"  sickness  and  want, 
setting  sail  in  their  vessel  for  the  eastward,  to  join  the 
fishing  S(puidron  on  the  coast:-  as  the  old  historian  has  it, 
"here  see  the  effects  of  pride  and  vain-glory."  Thomas 
AVeston  himself,  after  a  singular  series  of  misfortunes, 
only  arrived  at  Plymouth  to  learn  the  disastrous  fate  of 
his  colony. 

The  system  of  working  the  land  in  conrmon  was  this 
year  abandoned  by  the  Plymouth  colonists,  and  a  portion 
of  land  set  apart  to  each  man;  a  change  which  produced 
the  most  flivorable  results. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  years  from  the  formation  of  the 
Plymouth  colony,  the  Indians,  in  spite  of  a  royal  procla- 
mation forbidding  the  traffic,  began  to  sup})ly  themselves 
with  fire-arms  and  ammunition,  the  use  of  which  they  ac- 
quired with  singular  facility.  The  trade  for  these  danger- 
ous articles  first  commenced  upon  the  eastern  coast,  where 
they  were  brought  by  English,  French  and  Dutch  fisliing 
vessels,  and  wns  further  extended  into  the  interior  in  1(528, 
by  one  Thomas  Morton,  a  notable  contemner  of  godliness, 
and  long  a  thorn  in  the  side  of  the  sober  colonists.  Besides 
his  capital  ofl'ence  of  teaching  the  Indians  the  use  of  fire- 
arms, and  driving  a  profitable  trade  with  them  in  these 
deadly  weapons,  he  became,  sus  Morton  has  it,  "a  lord  of 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


207 


misrule,"  with  a  set  of  disorderly  companions  wlio  hud 
been  brought  out  in  the  s;une  ship  with  him.  Tlicy  s])eiit 
what  the}'  gained  by  unlawful  trade  in  *'  vaiidy  qnafhng  and 
drinking  both  wine  and  strong  liquors  to  great  excess — 
setting  up  a  May-pole,  drinking  and  dancing  about  it,  and 
fi-isking  about  it  like  so  many  fairies,  or  i'uries  rather." 
^J'his  May-pole  was  cut  down  by  Endicott,  and  ]\Iorton 
was  seized  and  sent  to  England,  where  he  wrote  an  "infa- 
mous and  scurrilous  book  '(The  New  Canaan),'  against 
many  godly  and  chiefinen  of  the  country."  In  1633,  a 
year  memorable  for  the  first  l^nglish  settlement  on  the 
Connecticut,  by  William  Holmes,  in  spite  of  the  opposi- 
tion of  the  Dutch,  a  "pestilent  fever"  carried  off  many, 
both  of  the  colonists  and  Indians  thereabout. 

Aforton,  in  his  "New  England's  ^Temorial,"  says  that 
"It  is  to  be  observed  that,  tlie  spring  before  this  sicknes?, 
there  was  a  numerous  company  of  flies,  which  were  like, 
for  bigness,  unto  wasps  or  bumble-bees;  they  came  out  of 
little  holes  in  the  ground,  and  did  eat  uj)  the  green  things, 
and  made  such  a  constant  yelling  noise  as  made  the  woods 
ring  of  them,  and  ready  to  deafen  the  hearers."  The  In- 
dians prophesied  sickness  from  this  sign. 

No  very  serious  hostilities  occurred  between  the  Ply- 
mouth colonists  and  the  natives,  from  the  period  of  which 
we  have  been  speaking,  until  the  year  1637,  memorable 
for  the  extirpation  of  the  Pequots.  The  causes  and  con- 
duct of  this  campaign,  marked  as  it  was  by  the  most  sav- 
age ferocity  on  the  part  of  both  Indians  and  English,  will 
be  detailed  in  a  succeeding  chapter. 

In  the  year  1639,  Massasoit,  or,  as  he  is  generally  styled 
at  this  period,  Woosamequen,  brought  his  eldest  son  Mooa- 
nam,  otherwise  called  Wamsutta,  to  the  court  at  Plymouth, 
and  solemnly  renewed  the  former  league  of  peace  and 
amity  with  the  colony. 


-1 


I  i 


I 


'ii-ii 


'W  'r^T*"*^."^; 


mi  p. 


^^  <  'il 


ir 
•i'i 


t-l?' 


208 


INDIAN  ]{ACES  OF  AMERICA. 


After  tlio  dcatli  of  tlie  friendly  and  powerful  saclie;n, 
his  sons  Wamsutta  and  Metaconiet  continued  their  profes- 
sion of  good-will  towards  the  English.  About  1G5H,  they 
presented  themselves  to  the  court  at  Plymouth,  and,  by 
their  own  I'ecpicst,  received  English  names.  AVamsutta 
was  denominated  Alexander,  and  Metacomct,  Philip,  long 
after  a  name  of  terror  to  the  colonies. 

In  1062,  Alexander,  having  been  suspected  of  being 
engaged  with  the  Narragansetts  in  plans  hostile  to  the 
English  settlers,  was  taken  by  surprise,  and  forcibly  car- 
ried to  Plymouth.  This  indignity  is  said  so  to  have  chafed 
his  proud  spirit,  that  it  threw  him  into  a  fever,  of  which 
he  died  shortly  after.  Contradictory  reports  have  been 
handed  down  to  us  concerning  the  manner  of  his  treat- 
ment during  this  brief  captivity,  and  the  circumstances 
attending  his  death. 

Shortly  after  this  event,  Philip,  now  sachem  of  Pocanokct, 
came  to  the  court  at  Plymouth,  v/ith  renewed  acknowledg- 
ments of  subjection  to  the  king  of  England,  and  promises 
to  fulfil  all  engagements  theretofore  entered  into  by  him- 
self, his  father  and  brother.  lie  covenanted,  moreover, 
not  to  sell  any  of  his  lands  to  strangers  withou*  the 
knowledge  and  consent  of  the  authorities  at  Plymouth. 


IiHh 


.('-;*■'■. 

\'- ' 

'    .1 

''TTT^'-* 


m 


■■^ym 


m 


'.1' 


m'^ 


:-4':Jm 


4 


rr^ 


ti''< 


itl«i 


n^ 


NEW  ENQI-AND   INDIANS.  209 


CHAPTER  II. 

THK    NARRAfiANSETTS THK    PKCiUOTS-^MURDRR    OF    STONR    AJVD 

OLDHAM — ENDICOTt's  EXPEDITION THE  TEQIJOT  WAR 

DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  PEQUOT  FORT — THE  TKIBE 
DISPERSED  AND  SUBDUED. 

"Dark  as  the  frost-nipped  leaves  th;it  strew  the  ground, 
Tlic  Iiicliaii  Imiiter  liere  his  slielter  found; 
Here  cut  liis  how,  ;iiul  sliapcd  his  arrows  true, 
Ileri  hnilt  his  wi^jwam  and  his  bark  canoe, 
Speared  the  (luiek  salmon  leapiiifr  up  tlie  fall, 
And  slew  the  deer  without  the  ritle  ball; 
Here  his  young  squaw  her  cradriiig-treo  would  choose, 
Singing  her  eliant  to  hush  her  swart  papoose; 
Here  stain  her  quills,  and  string  her  triid^ets  rude. 
And  weave  her  warrior's  wampum  in  the  wood." 

Brainard. 

Tjik  islands  and  western  shores  of  the  beautiful  hay 
which  still  hears  their  name  were,  at  the  time  of  the  first 
European  settlement,  in  the  possession  of  the  great  and 
powerful  tribe  of  the  Narragansetts.  Their  dominions 
extended  thirty  or  forty  miles  to  the  westward,  as  far  as 
the  country  of  the  Pequots,  from  whom  they  were  sepa- 
rated by  the  Pawcatuek  river. 

Their  chief  sachem  was  the  venerable  Canonicus,  who 
governed  the  tribe,  with  the  assistance  and  support  of  his 
nephew  Miantonimo.  The  celebrated  Roger  William.s,  the 
founder  of  the  Tlhodc  Island  and  Providence  plantations, 
always  noted  for  his  kindness,  justice  and  impartiality 
towards  the  natives,  was  high  in  favor  with  the  old  chief, 
and  exercised  an  influence  over  him,  without  which  his 
power  might  have  been  fiitally  turned  against  the  English. 
Canonicus,  he  informs  us,  loved  him  as  a  son  to  the  day 
of  his  death. 

Mr.  Williams  had  been  obliged  to  leave  the  colony  at 


14 


lir:--- 


-  >  ii , 


.     :. 


I 


'mit  \ 


:iri 


\i 


M' 


Ill 

111 


■  mm 


M'^-iX''-^ 


U" 


210 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


the  eastward,  in  coiisc(|uoncc  cf  his  religious  opinions, 
wliieli  (lid  not  eoincide  with  tliosc  so  strictly  interwoven 
with  the  government  and  policy  of  the  puritans,  Jle  was 
a  man  of  whose  enter])rise  and  \\isdom  the  state  which  he 
first  settled  is  justly  proud,  and  whose  liberal  and  magnani- 
mous disposition  stands  out  in  striking  relief  when  com- 
pared  with  the  intolerant  and  narrow-minded  prejudices 
of  his  contemporaries. 

Miantonimo  is  described  as  a  warrior  of  a  tall  and 
commanding  appearance;  proud  and  magnanimous;  "sub- 
til and  cunning  in  his  contriveinents;"  and  of  undaunted 
courage. 

The  Pequots  and  Mohcgans,  who  formed  but  one  tribe, 
and  were  governed  during  the  early  period  of  English 
colonization  by  one  sachem,  appear  to  have  emigrated 
from  the  west  not  A'ery  long  before  the  first  landing  of 
Europeans  on  these  shores.  They  were  entirely  discon- 
nected with  the  surrounding  tribes,  with  whom  they  were 
engaged  in  continual  hostilities,  and  were  said  to  have 
"leached  the  country  they  then  inhabited  from  the  north. 
The}^  probably  formed  a  portion  of  the  Mohican  or  Molie- 
gan  nation  on  the  Iludson,  and  arrived  at  the  sea-coast  by 
a  circuitous  route,  moving  onward  in  search  of  better  hunt- 
ing grounds,  or  desirous  of  the  facilities  for  procuring 
sui)p(jrt  offered  by  the  productions  of  the  sea. 

In  various  warlike  incursions  they  had  gained  a  partial 
possession  of  extensive  districts  u^Don  the  Connecticut  river, 
and  from  them  the  early  Dutch  settlers  purchased  the  title 
to  the  lands  they  occupied  in  that  region. 

Tn  the  year  1634,  one  Captain  Stone,  a  trader  from  Vir- 
ginia, of  whom  the  early  narrators  give  rather  an  evil  report, 
having  put  into  the  Connecticut  river  in  a  small  vessel, 
was  killed,  together  with  his  wliole  crew,  by  a  part}^  of  In- 
dians whom  he  had  suffered  to  remain  on  board  his  vessel. 

Two  years  later,  a  Mr.  John  Oldham  was  murdered  at 


cott, 


the 


1) 


NEW  ENGLAND   INDIANS. 


211 


Clock  Island,  (called  ^fanisses  in  the  Indian  tongue,)  by  a 
body  of  natives.  They  were  discovered  in  possession  of 
the  vessel,  and,  endeavoring  to  make  their  escape,  were 
most  of  tl  em  drowned. 

The  Narragansctts  and  Pequots  both  denied  having 
participated  in  this  last  outrage,  and,  as  respects  Stone  and 
his  companions,  although  the  Pequots  afterwards  acknowl- 
edged that  some  of  their  people  were  the  guilty  parties, 
yet  they  averred  that  it  was  done  in  retaliation  for  the 
murder  of  one  of  their  own  sachems  by  the  Dutch,  deny- 
ing that  they  knew  any  distinction  betwccL  the  Dutch  and 
English. 

To  revenge  the  death  of  Oldham,  an  expedition  was 
fitted  out  from  Massachusetts,  with  the  avowed  determina- 
tion of  destroying  all  the  male  inhabitants  of  Block  Island, 
and  of  enforcing  heavy  tribute  from  the  Pequots.  Those 
engaged  in  the  undertaking,  under  the  command  of  Endi- 
cott,  landed  on  the  island,  ravaged  the  corn-fields,  an("'. 
burned  the  wigwams  of  the  inhabitants;  but  the  islande;s 
succeeded  in  concealing  themselves  in  the  thickets,  so  t  jat 
few  were  killed,  Eiidicott  thence  proceeded  to  the  Pe([uot 
country,  notwithstanding  the  remonstrances  of  Gardi  ner, 
commander  of  the  garrison  at  Say  brook,  who  told  him 
that  the  consequence  would  only  be  to  "raise  a  hornet's 
nest  about  their  ears." 

Disembarking  near  the  mouth  of  the  Thames,  the 
adventurers  were  surrounded  by  a  large  bod}/  of  savages, 
mostly  unarmed,  who  questioned  them  of  their  purposes 
with  much  surprise  and  curiosity.  The  English  demanded 
the  murderers,  whom  they  alledged  to  be  harbored  there, 
or  their  heads.  The  Indians  replied  that  their  chief  sa- 
chem, Sassacus,  was  absent,  and  sent  or  pretended  to  send 
parties  in  search  of  the  persons  demanded,  Endicott, 
impatient  of  delay,  and  suspecting  deceit,  drove  them  off, 
after  a  sliglit  skirmish,  and  proceeded  to  lay  waste  their 


ii 


if; 


I,^}'^^' 


P-'- 


■  -  * 


M' 


i'  ■'•■ 


■m 


I  1} 


■dr 


■  i% 


I  n^  fe- 


t  ■ 


\ 


\ 


M 


"/ifr  ! 


■I 


l«» 


■I 


—  1 


212 


INDIAN   HACKS  OF  AMKUICA. 


corn-fi'ilda  and  wigwains,  destroying  their  canoes  and  doing 
them  incalcuhiblo  niischiof. 

The  same  operations  were  carried  on  the  next  day,  npcin 
tlie  op])()site  bank  of  tiie  river,  after  which  the  party  set 
sail  for  hojne. 

The  eU'ect  of  procedures  like  these,  was  such  as  niiii^ht 
have  been  expected.  'J'he  hostility  of  the  l'e(iuots  towards 
the  whites  w;us  from  this  ])eri()d  implacable. 

For  several  years  the  tribe  had  been  engaged  in  a  desul- 
tory war  with  the  Narragansetts,  arising  from  a  quarrel, 
in  1632,  respecting  the  boundary  of  their  respective  do- 
mains. Sassacus  at  once  perceived  the  necessity  or  })olicy 
of  healing  this  breach,  and  procuring  the  assistance  of  his 
powerful  neighbors  in  the  anticij)atcd  struggle.  He  thei'c- 
forc  sent  ambassadors  to  Canonicus,  charged  with  propo- 
sals of  treaty,  and  of  union  against  the  usurj)ing  English. 

A  grand  council  of  the  Narmgansett  sachems  was  called, 
and  the  messengers,  according  to  Morton,  "used  many 
pernicious  arguments  to  move  them  thereunto,  as  that  the 
English,  were  strangers,  and  began  to  overspread  their 
country,  and  would  deprive  them  thereof  in  time,  if  they 
were  suffered  to  grow  and  increase;"  that  they  need  not 
"come  to  open  battle  with  them,  but  fire  their  houses,  kill 
their  cattle,  and  lie  in  ambush  for  them,"  all  with  little 
dano;cr  to  themselves. 

The  Narragansetts  hesitated,  and  would  not  improbably 
have  acceded  to  the  proposals  but  for  the  intervention  and 
persuasion  of  their  friend  Roger  AVilliams.  His  infiuenee, 
combined  with  the  hope,  so  dcai'  to  an  Indian  heart,  of 
being  •revenged  upon  their  old  adversaries,  finally  pre- 
vailed. Miantonimo,  with  a  number  of  other  cliiefs  and 
warriors,  proceeded  to  Boston;  was  received  with  much 
parade;  and  concluded  a  treaty  of  firm  alliance  with  tlie 
Knglish,  stipulating  not  to  make  peace  with  the  Pequots, 
without  their  assent. 


ir 


tlo 

'ly 

nd 
cc, 
of 
rc- 


Its, 


NKW  ENGLAND    INDIANS. 


213 


^foantiinc,  duriiif^  tliiH  smnc  year  (in.'>7),  tlic  Pcqnota 
had  conuiicnucd  liostilitiivs  by  attackiiif^  tlio  .settlers  on  tlio 
Connecticut,  'i'ln'y  lay  concealed  about  the  ibrt  at  Siiy- 
brook,  ready  to  seize  any  of  the  little  garri.son  who  .should 
be  founil  without  the  walls. 

In  .several  instances  they  succeeded  in  making  captives, 
whom  they  tortured  to  death  with  their  usual  .savage  cru- 
elty. Among  the  rest,  a  "godly  young  man  of  the  name 
of  Butterleld,"  was  taken,  and  roasted  alive. 

The  boldness,  and  even  temerity  t)f  the  few  occupants 
of  the  fort,  with  these  horrors  staring  them  in  the  fac(\  itf 
surprising.  Gardiner,  their  governor,  on  one  occasion, 
exasperated  a  body  of  Indians  who  had  come  forward  for 
a  species  of  parley,  by  mocking,  daring,  and  taunting  them 
in  their  own  style  of  irony  and  vituperation. 

The  cohuiists  appear  to  have  been  even  more  horror- 
stricken  and  enraged  at  the  blasphemous  language  of  their 
wild  opponents,  than  at  their  implacable  cruelty.  When 
they  tortured  a  prisoner,  they  would  bid  him  call  upon  his 
God,  and  mock  and  deride  him  if  he  did  .so,  in  a  manner  not 
unlike  that  recorded  in  the  case  of  a  more  illustrious  sulferer. 

They  told  Gardiner  that  they  had  "killed  Englislimen, 
and  could  kill  them  like  musquitocs;"  and  that  there  was 
one  among  them  who,  "if  he  could  kill  one  more  Eng- 
lishman, w^ould  be  equal  with  God." 

Joseph  Tilly,  commander  of  a  tradi  ^g  vessel,  a  man 
described  as  "brave  and  hardy,  but  passioiiate  and  wilful," 
going  on  shore,  incautiously,  and  against  the  advice  of 
Gardiner,  was  taken  by  the  savages,  and  tortured  to  death 
in  the  most  lingering  and  cruel  manner,  being  partially 
dismembered,  and  slow  v  burned  to  death  by  lighted 
splinters  thrust  into  his  flesh.  His  conduct  in  this  ex- 
tremity excited  the  lasting  admiration  of  his  tormentors; 
for,  like  one  of  their  own  braves,  he  endured  all  with 
silent  fortitude. 


ywr^ 


■'  r. ! 


1. 


.,ii 


. '  'r 


.\  ,    /-:.'^#-i.  il 


■  •".'  '''  'fci 


I'^. 


214 


INDIAN   UACES  OF  AMKUICA. 


|«i> 


The  Tncliiins  were  accustomed  to  imilnto  and  dcrido  the 
cries  luid  tokens  of  j)ain  wliieh  they  usually  elicited  from 
the  whites,  as  hein^^  unworthy  of  ni(!n,  and  toK-raljJe  only 
in  woiniMi  or  ehildren. 

In  April  ol'  this  year  (lO'^T),  an  attack  was  made  ujion 
the  vilhi^^'c  of  Welherslield,  by  a  body  of  Pequots,  assisted 
or  led  by  other  Indians  of  the  vicinity,  whose  enmity  had 
been  excited  by  some  unjust  treatment  on  the  part  of  the 
white-  inhabitants.  I'hrcc  women  and  six  men  of  the 
colonists,  were  killed,  and  cattle  and  other  propeity  de- 
stroyed or  carried  off  to  a  considerable  extent.  Two  youn<^ 
girls,  (hiu^diters  of  one  Abraham  Swain,  were  taken  and 
carried  into  caj^tivity.  M'heir  release  was  afterwards  ob- 
tained by  some  Dutch  traders,  who  inveigled  a  nund)erof 
Pc(piots  on  board  their  vessel,  and  threatened  to  throw 
them  into  tlie  sea  if  the  gii'ls  were  not  delivered  uj).  Dur- 
ing the  time  that  these  prisoners  were  in  the  power  of  the 
Indians,  they  received  no  injury,  but  were  treated  with 
uniform  kindness,  a  circumstance  which,  with  many  others 
cf  the  same  nature,  marks  the  character  of  the  barbarians 
as  being  by  no  means  destitute  of  the  finer  feelings  of 
humanity. 

The  settlers  on  the  Connecticut  now  resolved  upon 
active  operations  against  the  Pequot  tribe.  Although  the 
whole  number  of  whites  u})on  the  river,  capable  of  doing 
military  service,  did  not  exceed  three  hundred,  a  Ibrcc  of 
ninety  men  was  raised  and  equi])pcd.  Captain  John  ^La- 
son,  a  soldier  by  profession,  and  a  bold,  energetic  man, 
was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  expedition,  and  the 
Reverend  ]\Ir.  Stone,  one  of  the  first  preachers  at  Hartford, 
who  had  accompanied  his  people  across  the  wiUlerness,  at 
the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  that  town,  undertook 
the  office  of  chaplain — a  position  of  far  greater  importance 
and  responsibility,  in  the  eyes  of  our  forefathers,  than  is 
accorded  to  it  at  the  present  day. 


NKW  EXQLAND   INDIANS. 


215 


TiOttors  wore  WTitton  to  tlic  {vtithoritica  of  Massadiusi^tts, 
roqiu'stiii"^  nssistance,  inasiiuich  jih  the  war  was  owiii;_^,  in 
iio  small  iricasiirc,  to  the  ill-advisctl  and  worscvcoiiductiMl 
c.\p('<liti<)U  .stMit  fortli,  as  we  have  bi'Coro  doscribed,  hy  thai 
colony.  Tho  required  aid  was  readily  furnished,  and  u 
considerable  body  of  men,  under  the  command  of  Daniel 
Patrick,  was  sent  to  the  Xarragansett  sachem,  to  procure 
his  cooj)cration,  and  afterwards  to  join  tho  forces  of  Mason. 

The  little  army  was  further  increased  by  the  addition 
of  a  l^arty  of  Indians,  led  by  a  chief  afterwards  so  cele- 
brateil  in  tlu;  annals  of  ihe  colony,  as  to  deserve  moro 
than  a  casual  mention  u[)on  the  occasion  of  this,  his  first 
intnjduction  to  the  reader. 

Uneas,  a  sachem  of  the  ^^ollegans,  wdiom  wc  have  be- 
fore mentioned  as  f(;rniing  a  portion  of  the  Pcfpiot  tribe, 
had,  some  time  previous  to  the  events  which  we  are  now 
recording,  reb'dled  against  the  authority  of  Sassaeus,  his 
superior  saeh  i.i,  to  whom  he  was  connected  by  ties  of 
allinity  and  iclationship. 

lie  is  described  as  having  been  a  man  of  great  strength 
and  eourage,  but  grasping,  cunning,  and  treacherous,  and 
possessed  of  little  of  that  magnanimity  which,  though 
counterbalanced  by  faidts  peculiar  to  his  race,  distinguished 
his  implacable  foe,  Miantonimo  the  Narragansett. 

With  his  followers,  a  ])ortion  of  wdiom  were  ^fohegans, 
and  the  rest,  as  is  supposed,  Indians  from  the  aistricts  on 
the  Connecticut,  who  had  joined  themselves  to  his  fortunes, 
Uncas  now  made  common  eanse  with  the  whites  against 
his  own  nation.  Gardiner,  the  commandant  at  Saybrook, 
to  test  his  fidelity,  dispatched  him  in  })ursuit  of  a  small 
party  of  hostile  Indians,  whose  position  he  had  ascertained. 
Uncas  accomplished  his  mi^'sion,  killing  a  portion  of  them, 
and  returning  with  one  prisoner.  This  captive  the  In- 
dians were  allowed  by  the  English  to  torture  to  death,  and 
they  proceeded  to  pull  him  asunder,  fastening  one  h^g  to 


i_:-z:r: 


:f  ■f\'*r*^ 


* 

..li 

'••i  '5 

\' 

•"♦■«■ 

:  4  It 


**ii 

m 

j|| 

1 

.  ; 

f™^ 

I  <   . 

1 


r"--:: 


2i0 


Indian  races  of  America. 


.1  ]iost,  find  tying  ;i  ropo  to  tlio  other,  of  wliicli  tlicy  laid 
hold,  irndcrhill,  elsewhere  clumictcrizcd  as  a  "bold,  bad, 
man,"  had,  on  this  occasion,  the  humanity  to  shorten  the 
torment  of  the  vietini  by  a  pistol-sbot. 


th 


il 


Hie  [)lan  of  eauipaign  adopted  by  Mason,  after  much 
del...  e,  was  to  sail  for  the  country  of  the  Narragan setts, 
and  there  disembai'king,  to  come  upon  the  enemy  by  laud 
from  an  unexpected  direction. 

Canonicus  and  ^Tiantonimo  received  the  party  in  a 
friendly  manner,  approving  the  design,  but  proU'ering  no 
assistance. 

Intelligence  was  here  received  of  the  approach  of  Cap- 
tan :  Patrick  and  his  men  from  !MassacliMsetts,  but  ]\rason 
deU  rmined  to  lose  no  time  by  waiting  for  their  arrival, 
lest  information  of  the  movement  should  in  the  n..  antimc 
reach  the  camp  of  the  Pequots.  The  next  day,  thei'cibre, 
which  was  the  tttli  of  June,  the  vessels,  in  which  the  com- 
[);iny  had  arrived  from  Saybrook,  set  sail  for  Pequot  river, 
manned  bv  a  few  ■whites  and  Indians,  Avliile  the  main 
body  proceeded  on  their  march  across  the  comitry.  About 
sixty  Indians,  led  by  Uncas,  were  of  the  party. 

A  large  body  of  Narragansetts  and  Nehantics  attended 
them  on  their  march,  at  one  time  to  the  number,  as  was 
supposed,  of  nearly  five  hundred.  In  Indian  style,  they 
made  great  demonstration  of  valor  and  determination ;  but 
as  Ihey  approachc>d  the  head-quarters  of  the  tei-rible  tribe 
that  had  held  them  so  1(  '^g  in  awe,  their  hearts  began  to 
fail.  Many  slunk  away,  and  of  those  who  still  hung  in 
the  rear,  none  but  Uncas  and  Wequash,  a  Nehantic  sachem, 
"were  ready  to  share  in  the  danger  of  the  first  attack. 

The  Pequot  camp  was  upon  the  summit  of  a  liigh 
rounded  hill,  still  known  as  Pequot  hill,  in  the  present 
town  of  Groton,  and  was  considered  by  the  Indians  as 
impregnable.     The  people  of  Sassacus  had  seen  the  Eng- 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS.    * 


21' 


lish  vessels  pass  by,  and  supposed  that  danger  was  for  tlie 
present  averted.  After  a  great  feast  and  daneo  of  exulta- 
tion at  tlieir  safety  and  success,  the  camp  was  sunk  in 
sleep  and  silence.  Mason  and  his  men,  who  had  encamped 
among  some  rocks  near  the  head  of  Mystic  river,  ap- 
proached the  Pcquot  fortification  a  little  before  day,  on 
the  5th  of  June. 

^rho  alarm  Avas  fii'st  given  b}^  the  barking  of  a  dog, 
followed  by  a  cry  from  some  one  within,  of  "Owanux, 
Owamix" — the  Indian  term  for  Phiglishmcn — u])on  which 
the  besiegers  rusluKJ  forward  to  the  attack. 

The  fort  was,  as  usual,  inclosed  with  thick  ])alisades,  a 
narrow  enlrancc  being  left,  which  was  barred  by  a  jnle  of 
brushwood.  Breaking  through  this,  ^Kason  and  his  com- 
panions fi'U  upon  the  startled  Pequots,  and  maintained  for 
some  time  an  nncertain  hand  to  hand  conflict,  utiiil,  all 
order  being  lost,  he  came  to  the  savage  determination  to 
fn-e  the  wigwams.  Mliis  was  done,  and  the  dry  mat(>ri;ds 
of  which  these  rude  dwellings  were  composed  blazed  with 
fwu'ful  rapidity. 

The  warriors  fought  desperately,  but  their  bow-strings 
siKipped  from  the  heat,  and  the  Narragansetts,  now  coming 
up,  killed  all  Avho  attemj'jted  to  escape.  '^J'he  scene  within 
was  horrible  beyond  description.  The  whole  nundnT 
destroyed  (mostly  by  the  flames)  was  supposed  to  be  over 
four  hundred,  no  small  portion  of  which  consisted  of 
women  and  children. 

The  s})irit  of  the  times  cannot  be  better  portrayed  than 
by  citing  the  description  of  this  tragedy  given  by  >b)rt()n: 
"At  this  time  it  was  a  fearful  sif>ht  to  see  them  tlins  iVv- 
iim"  iu  the  fire,  and  the  streams  of  blood  (luencliinu-  tlie 
same;  and  horrible  was  the  stink  and  scent  theredC;  but 
the  victory  seemed  a  sweet  sacrifice,  and  they  gav(^  the 
j)raise  tluuTof  to  God,  who  had  wrought  so  wondei'fidly 
lor  them,  thus  to  enclose  their  enemies  in  tlicij-  hands,  and 


:i 


■  1 


i  , 


'  *  ' ' It 

'•■•I 


;'{ 


V,  .U 


,V»i;, 


M' 


I#i* 


218 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


give  tliem  so  speedy  a  victory  over  so  proud,  insulting  and 
blasphemous  an  enemy."  Dr.  Increase  Mather,  in  much 
the  same  vein,  sa3\s:  "This  day  we  brought  six  hundred 
Indian  S(uds  to  hell." 

In  looking  back  upon  this  massacre,  although  much 
allowance  must  be  made  for  the  rudeness  of  the  age,  and 
the  circumstances  of  terror  and  anxiety  which  surrounded 
the  eai'ly  settlers,  yet  we  must  confess  that  here,  as  on 
other  occasions,  they  exhibited  the  utmost  unscrupulous- 
ness  as  to  the  means  by  which  a  desired  end  should  be 
accomplished. 

^J'hc  loss  of  the  attacking  party  in  this  engagement  Avas 
triflinsr  in  the  extreme,  onlv  two  of  their  number  bcins; 
killed,  and  about  twenty  wounded.  Captain  Patrick  with 
his  soldiers  from  ]\Iassacliusetts,  did  not  reach  the  scene 
of  action  in  time  to  take  part  in  it — Underhill,  however, 
with  twenty  men,  was  of  the  party. 

Tlie  result  of  this  conflict  was  fatal  to  the  Pequots  as  a 
nation.  After  a  few  unavailing  attempts  to  revenge  their 
wrongs,  they  burned  their  remaining  camp,  and  com- 
menced their  flight  to  the  haunts  of  their  forefathers  at 
the  westward. 

''J'hcy  were  closely  pursued  by  the  whites  and  their 
Indian  allies,  and  hunted  and  destroyed  like  wild  beasts. 
1'he  last  important  engagement  was  in  a  swamp  at  Fairfield, 
where  they  were  comjilctely  overcome.  Most  of  the  war- 
riors were  slain,  fighting  bi'avely  to  the  last,  and  the  women 
and  children  were  distributed  as  servants  among  the 
colonists  or  shipped  as  slaves  to  the  West  Indies;  "We 
send  tlie  male  children,"  says  Winthrop,  "to  Burmuda,  by 
Mr.  William  Pierce,  and  the  women  and  maid  children 
are  dispersed  about  in  the  towns."  It  is  satisfactory  to 
reflect  that  these  wild  domestics  proved  rather  a  source 
of  annoyance  than  service  to  their  enslavers. 

Sassacus,  Mononotto,  and  a  few  other  Pequot  warriors, 


l:^., 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


219 


succeeded  in  effecting  their  escape  to  the  Lfohawlcs,  who, 
however,  put  the  sachem  and  most  of  his  companions  to 
death,  .either  to  obhge  the  Enghsh  or  tlic  Narragansctts. 

The  members  of  the  tribe  who  still  remained  in  Con- 
necticut, Avere  finally  brought  into  comiDlete  subjection. 
Manj?"  of  them  joined  the  forces  of  the  no\Y  powerful 
Uncas ;  others  were  distributed  between  the  Narragansctts 
and  Mohegans;  and  no  small  number  were  taken  and 
deliberately  massacred. 

The  colonial  authorities  demanded  that  all  Pequots  who 
bad  been  in  any  way  concerned  in  shedding  English 
blood  should  be  slain,  and  Uneas  had  no  small  dilTiculty 
in  retaining  his  useful  allies,  and  at  the  same  time  satisfy- 
ing the  powerful  strangers  whose  patronage  and  protection 
he  so  assiduously  courted. 


CHAPTER  III. 

QUARRELS    BETWEEN    THE    NARRAGANSETTS    AND     MOHEGANS 

UNCAS  AND    MIANTONIJIO THE    MOHEGAN    LAND  CON- 
TROVERSY  SUBSEQUENT  CONDITION  OF  THE 

PEQUOTS    AND    MOHEGANS. 

A  SMALL  body  of  the  Pequots  made  one  more  futile 
attempt  to  settle  in  their  old  country;  but  a  company  Avas 
sent  against  them,  and  they  were  driven  off;  their  provi- 
sions Avere  plundered,  and  their  AvigAvams  destroyed. 

The  destruction  of  this  poAverful  tribe  left  a  large  extent 
of  country  unoccupied;  to  no  small  portion  of  Avhieh 
Uncas  laid  claim  by  virtue  of  his  relationship  to  Sassacus. 
The  i)ower  and  influence  of  this  subtle  and  Avarlike  chief 
liad  become,  by  tliis  time,  A\astly  extended,  not  only  by 
Irrnty  and  alliance  Avith  the  Europeans,  but  by  continual 
addition  to  the  numbci'  of  his  Avarriors;  as  many  strag- 


>  Hi 


•im% 


:  ■'%. 


'K.r 


:ii 


!7" 


220 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


II" 


I 


gliiig  Pcquots,  and  -wanderers  from  otlier  tribes,  were 
eager  to  join  his  rising  fortunes. 

]>et\vcen  liini  and  Miantonimo,  old  feelings  of  jealousy, 
rivalry,  and  national  antij)atliy  were  now  aroused  anew 
by  various  acts  of  petty  hostility  and  mutual  treachery. 
Uncas  and  his  followers  succeeded  in  exciting  in  the  minds 
of  the  English  a  deep  and  abiding  mistrust  of  the  Narra- 
gansetts,  which  ^[iantoninio,  upon  repeated  citations  before 
the  Court  at  Ply  mouth,  was  unable  wholly  to  remove. 
His  wisdom,  cautiousness,  and  sagacity,  excited  the  ad- 
miration of  all  who  heard  him,  but,  with  all  his  tact,  he 
failed  to  convince  the  authorities  of  his  good  faith  and 
innocent  intentions. 

^J'lic  animosity  of  the  two  chiefs  at  last  broke  out  into 
open  hostilities.  ]\riantonimo,  accompanied,  as  was  com- 
puted, by  over  nine  hundred  warriors,  came  suddenly 
upon  Uncas,  who  \\as  supported  by  only  about  half  tliat 
number  of  effective  followers.  Before  joining  battle,  the 
^fohcgan  sachem  challenged  his  opponent  to  single  combat, 
pro2)osing  that  the  vanquished  party  should,  with  his  men, 
submit  to  the  victor. 

^Miantonimo  refusing  to  accede  to  this  proposal,  Uncas, 
according  to  a  preconcerted  signal,  prostrated  himself;  and 
his  warriors,  discharging  a  flight  of  arrows,  rushed  forward 
with  such  impetuosity  tliat,  despite  the  disj)arity  of  num- 
bers, they  completel}'  routed  the  Narragansetts,  and  drove 
them  from  the  field. 

The  chief  of  tlic  invaders  was  taken  prisoner  in  hia 
night  by  Uncas  himself,  assisted  by  two  other  warriors, 
lie  had  been  impeded  in  his  motions  by  an  old  corslet, 
a  piece  of  defensive  armor  which  had  been  presented  to 
hiri  by  an  English  friend,  but  which  proved  fatal  to  him. 
Secnng  that  resistance  was  hopeless,  he  seated  himself  upon 
the  ground,  with  true  bidian  st(jicism  and  silence. 

Uncas  took  his  prisrner  to  Hartford,  and  requested  the 


^■fv. 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


221 


advice  of  the  authorities  as  to  what  course  he  should  })ur- 
sue  respecting  hiiu.  Tliey  referred  tlic  question  to  the 
general  court  of  commissioners  for  New  England,  which 
sat  at  Boston,  in  September"  (1(5 1<5).  ^.Die  court,  unwilling 
to  undertake  the  responsibility  of  ordering  the  death  of 
the  illusti  ious  captive,  submitted  the  matter  to  the  decision 
of  the  clei'gy,  then  in  high  council  at  the  same  city.  'J'heso 
worthies,  less  scrupulous  than  the  laity,  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  his  life  must  pay  the  foifeit  of  his  attacks 
upon  Uncas,  and  his  general  turbulence,  not  to  mcutioa 
the  fact  that  he  had,  in  one  instance,  beaten  a  follower  of 
a  sachem  who  was  allied  to  the  English! 

The  unfortunate  sachem  w'as  therefere  redelivered  into 
the  hands  of  the  ^[oliegans  for  execution,  and  two  of  the 
English  were  appointed  to  attend  the  proceeding,  and  sec 
that  ho  was  put  to  death  without  toi'ture.  There  is  some 
discrepancy  in  the  accounts  as  to  the  place  where  ]\[ianto- 
nimo  met  his  fate,  but  it  appears  to  have  been  in  the 
township  of  Norwich,  where  a  pile  of  stones  was  long 
after  pointed  out  as  marking  his  grave.  The  manner  of 
his  death  was  this :  Uncas,  with  his  brother,  AVaAvequa,  and 
a  party  of  other  Indians,  accompanied  by  the  two  whites, 
was  leading  his  prisoner  along  a  path,  when,  at  a  silent 
signal  from  the  chief,  Wawequa  buried  his  tomahawk  in 
the  skull  of  the  captive  from  behind.  It  is  said  that  Uncas 
cut  a  portion  of  flesh  from  the  shoulder  of  his  fallen"  en- 
emy, and  eat  it,  declaring  that  it  was  the  "sweetest  meat 
he  ever  eat;  it  made  his  heart  strong." 

The  Narragansetts  lamented  bitterly  over  the  urtimely 
end  of  their  famous  and  beloved  sachem,  and  comp^ lined 
of  the  treachery  of  Uncas,  averring  that  large  quantitii^s  of 
wampum  had  been  sent  as  ransom  to  the  Mohegans,  and 
Appropriated  by  them,  regardless  of  the  conditions  attend- 
ing its  mission. 

Pessacus,  a  brother  of  Miantonimo,  continued  to  make 


222 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMEIUCA. 


I  I 


1^ 


I 


troul)lesomo  inroads  upon  tlic  ^folic^^au  doTnairis,  but  the 
English  still  held  lliioas  in  favor,  and  warned  the  Narra- 
gansctts  that  they  would  support  him  slioukl  he  recpiire 
their  aid. 

In  1()4J,  the  complaints  and  mutual  recriminations  of  the 
rival  tribes  were  heard  and  examined  by  the  commissioners 
of  ;Iic  col(>nies,  who  decided  that  Pessacus  had  n(jt  proved 
liis  eharges,  and  enforced  a  temporary  treaty.  This  was  soon 
violated  by  the  Narragansetts,  who  continued  their  de])re- 
dations  as  heretofore;  and  in  the  ensuing  s|)ring,  Pessacus, 
having  done  great  damage  to  his  opponent  by  pred-".tory 
excursions,  filially  besieged  him  in  a  foi't  on  the  Thames, 
where  he  would  probal)ly  have  reduced  him  by  famine,  had 
not  supjilics  been  secretly  furnished  by  certain  of  the  English. 

The  tyranny  and  exactions  of  Uncas  over  the  l^equots 
who  had  become  subject  to  him,  aroused  their  indignation; 
while  his  treachery  towards  his  own  people,  and  alliance 
with  the  whites,  secured  him  the  hostility  of  every  neigh- 
boring tribe,  lie  was  engaged  in  perpetual  quarrels  with 
Ninigret,  a  celebrated  Nehantic  sachem;  with  Sequassen, 
whose  authority  at  an  earlier  date  extended  over  the 
^J\mxis  tribe,  at  the  westward  of  the  Connecticut;  and 
with  the  grieved  and  revengeful  Narragansetts. 

AVhenever  tliese  interminable  disputes  were  brought 
before  the  court  of  the  New  England  commissioners,  the 
decisions  of  that  body  appear  to  have  favored  the  Mo- 
hegan.  Assisted  by  the  counsel  of  a  crafty  and  subtle 
Indian,  named  Foxun  or  Poxen,  who  served  him  in  the 
capacit}''  of  chief  advocate  and  adviser,  and  whose  wisdom 
and  sagacity  were  widely  noted,  he  generally  managed  to 
explain  away  his  iniquities;  at  least  so  far  as  to  satisfy  an 
audience  already  pre j  udiced  in  his  favor.  When  his  crimes 
were  not  to  be  concealed,  a  reprimand  and  caution  were 
generally  the  extent  of  his  punishment. 

On  the  other  hand,  when  suspicions  arose  againsMlie  Nar- 


"fVinfT** 


INDIANS  oi"  .\i;\v'  J':x(;f.axd. 


223 


ra^aiif^cUSj  tlio  most  ])roin[)t  iuid  violent  })rocc('(Iiii<:-s  were 
iTSortod  to:  tlu^payincntorun  iiiinu'iise  amount  ol' wampum 
was  exacted;  the  delivery  oi"  hostages  IVom  among  tlio 
principal  peo})lc  of  the  ti'ibg  was  dcmand(Ml;  and  threats  of 
wai'  and  extermination  were  used  to  humble  and  humil- 
iate them. 

in  September,  lOryo^  a  few  of  the  scattered  Pcquots  who 
had  not  joined  the  forces  of  Uncas,  were  allowed  a  resting- 
place  by  the  commissioners,  upon  a  portion  of  the  south- 
eastern sea-coast  of  Connecticut,  and  their  existence  as  a 
separate  tribe  was  formally  acknowledged. 

This  little  remnant  of  the  crushed  and  overthrown  na- 
tion, had  been,  for  some  time,  under  the  guidance  of  two 
sclf-eonstitutcd  sachems,  one  eonunonly  called  Robin  Cas- 
shiament.  a  Pe(piot,  and  the  other  Cushawashet,  a  nc})hew 
of  Ninigrct,  kncnvn  among  the  Engbsh  as  Ilermon  Garret. 

'fliey  had  formed  small  settlements  upon  the  tract  now 
allotted  to  them,  which  they  Avcrc  allowed  to  retain  upon 
payment  of  tribute,  in  wampum,  to  the  colonies,  and  the 
adopt'on  of  a  prescribed  code  of  laws.  Their  governors 
were  to  be  chosen  by  the  English;  and  Cushawashet  and 
Cassinament  received  the  first  appointment. 

It  will  rea(bly  be  perceived  to  what  an  extent  the  power 
and  control  of  the  colonists  over  the  all'airs  of  the  Indians 
in  tiieir  vicinity,  had  increased,  even  at  this  early  period. 
The  natives  were  now  glad  to  settle  down  under  the  i)rotec- 
tion  of  their  masters;  to  pay  yearly  tribute  as  amends  for 
former  hostilities;  and  to  hire  the  lands  of  which  they  had 
been  co  sbort  a  time  previous  the  undisturbed  possessors. 

It  is  pitiful  to  read  of  the  coarse  coats,  the  shovels,  the 
hoes,  the  knives,  and  jcAVs-harps,  in  exchange  for  which 
they  had  parted  with  their  broad  lands.  Utterly  improvi- 
dent, and  incapable  of  foreseeing,  or  hopeless  of  averting 
the  ascendancy  of  the  whites,  they  yielded  to  their  exac- 
tions, and  submitted  to  their  dictation. 


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221 


INDIAN   HACKS   OF   AMKllICA. 


Sauiitorini]^  indoleiuly  ahout  tlic  sottlomonts,  and  wastinf^ 
tlicir  oiuTgios  by  oxccjss  in  the  use  of  tlio  novel  moans  of 
cxcitcmoiit  oH'cnHl  l)y  "strong  waters,"  they  lost  mneli  of 
that  native  pride,  dignity,  and  .self-res])ect  whieh  distin- 
guished tliein  Aviicn  intereoursc  with  foreigners  first  eotn- 
mcnced.  M'heir  nnnibei's,  whieh  ai)|)ear  to  have  been  grossly 
exaggerated,  even  in  tlieir  most  nourishing  da}s,  were 
rapidly  diminishing;  their  game  was  becoming  searoe; 
and  the  redncments  and  comforts  of  civilization,  rude  in- 
deed as  compared  to  what  now  exists,  ])rescntcd  to  tlu^ir 
eyes  at  the  white  settlements,  only  aggravated  the  con- 
sciousness of  tlieir  own  j)overty  and  distress, 

'^^riie  Tunxis  and  Podunk  Indians,  Avho  inhabited  either 
side  of  the  Connecticut,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  English  set- 
tlcmenls;  the  Quinnipiacs  on  the  sound,  where  New  IIa\ en 
now  stands ;  the  Nehantics,  to  the  eastward  of  the  river ;  and 
the  feeble  Pequot  settioiiient,  were  subject  to,  or  in  efleet, 
under  the  control  of  the  colonists:  Uneas  was  their  "iiiend 
and  fast  ally;"  and  the  Narragansotts,  though  under  susj)i- 
cion  of  various  treachei'ous  plans,  were  nominally  at  peace 
with  the  whites,  and  quelled  by  the  terror  of  their  arms. 

This  condition  of  alfairs  continued,  with  the  cxc(^])tion 
of  the  great  and  final  struggle  between  the  colonists  and 
the  natives,  known  as  Philip's  war — to  be  detailed  in  a  suc- 
ceeding ariiclc — until  the  death  of  Uncas,  about  the  year 
1682,  lie  left  the  title  to  his  extensive  domains  involved 
in  inextricable  confusion.  In  consequence  of  deeds  and 
grants  from  himself  and  liis  sons  Owenoco  and  Attawan- 
Lood,  to  various  individuals  among  the  white  settlers,  and 
for  various  ])urposes,  the  effect  of  which  conveyances  were 
probably  unknown  to  the  grantors,  numerous  contradictory 
claims  arose.  The  same  tracts  were  made  over  to  difiei-eut 
persons;  one  grant  would  extend  over  a  large  portion  of 
another;  and,  to  crown  all,  Uncas,  in  the  year  Kk")!*,  h:id 
aliened  his  whole  possessions  by  deed,  regularly  witnessed, 


NEW  ENOLAND   IXDIAXS. 


225 


to  Joliii  Mason,  of  Norwicli.  This  conveyance  was  evi- 
dently intended  by  tlie  saeliern  merely  to  confer  :i  gcMicral 
]K)\ver  as  overseer  or  trustee  upon  a  man  whom  lie  eon- 
«idei'cd  as  frienaly  to  liis  interests,  and  whose  kncnvlcduc^ 
would  prove  ii  protection  at^ainst  the  overreach inji,'  of  pio- 
posed  j)urchnsers.  AceordinLj  to  the  Indian  nnd(>rstaiid- 
ing  of  the  transaction  was  the  claim  of  ^fason  and  his 
heirs,  who  arrogated  to  themselves  no  further  interest  or 
authority  than  that  above  specified.  The  Connecticnl 
colony,  by  virtue  of  a  general  deed  of  "surrender  of  juris- 
diction," obtained  from  Mason,  insisted  on  an  unqualilied 
pro])erty  in  the  whole  domain. 

Owenoco  succeeded  his  father  as  sachem  of  the  Mohe- 
gaiis,  and  pursued  a  similar  course  to  secure  liis  lands, 
conveying  them  to  the  sons  of  ^Nfason  as  trustees.  His 
Indian  im])rovidence  and  iiitem])erance  led  him  to  disre- 
gard this  arrangement,  and  to  give  deeds  of  various  tracts 
included  in  the  trust  conveyance,  without  the  knowledge 
or  assent  of  the  overseer.  In  July,  of  the  year  170-1,  in 
order  to  settle  the  conflicting  claims  of  the  whites  and  In- 
dians, and  to  restore  to  the  tribe  the  portions  illegally 
obtained  from  them,  a  royal  commission  was  obtained  i'rom 
I'lngland,  by  some  friends  of  the  ^[oliegans,  to  examine 
and  settle  the  disputed  questions. 

The  colony  protested  against  the  proceeding,  denying 
the  authority  of  the  crown  to  determine  upon  the  matter, 
and  refused  to  appear  before  the  commissioners.  'J'lic 
conduct  of  the  case  being  ex  partr^  a  decision  was  given  in 
favor  of  the  Mohegans,  restoring  them  to  a  vast  extent  of 
territory  alledged  to  have  been  obtained  from  their  sachems 
when  intoxicated,  or  by  other  under-hand  and  illegal 
courses.  From  this  decree  the  Connecticut  colony  aj)- 
[)ealed,  and  a  new  commission  was  granted,  but  with  no 
decisive  residt,  and  the  case  remained  unsettled  for  more 
than  half  a  century  from  the  tin>e  of  its  commencement. 
15 


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1 

m 

f 

1 

ill 

iiii 

H 

Bp^  '•'■■' 1 

iff|;i^ 

.      •'.''■} 

II  :i 

N '• '>s:S* 

m 

11 

■'  ' r^  '\y'^. 

1  ■  ■ .',  1 .1'l 

iiai-lii 


1  I'WW/yrij 


I«l> 


■'0 


220 


INDJAX   RACKS  OF  AMERICA. 


Ovvcnoco  lived  to  an  adviuiced  ugc,  bocoiniiig,  bofurchis 
death,  a  lielple.ss  niendicant,  and  SLd)sisting,  iu  c(Mni)aiiy 
with  his  squaw,  upon  the  hosj)itality  of  the  neighboring 
settlors.     His  son  Ca-sar  was  his  successor  as  saeiu'in. 

Ben,  the  youngest  son  of  IJncas,  of  illegitimate  birth, 
succeeded  Caesar,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  rightful  heir, 
young  Mamohet,  a  grandson  of  Owcnoco. 

Mason  now  renewed  his  claims,  and,  accompanied  by 
liis  two  sons,  carried  Mamoliot  to  p]ngland,  that  he  might 
]U'esent  a  new  petition  to  the  reigning  monarch.  A  new 
commission  was  awarded,  but  both  the  applicants  died 
beibrc  it  was  made  out.  When  the  trial  finally  came  on 
in  1738,  distinguished  counsel  were  employed  on  both 
sides,  in  anticijiation  of  an  arduous  and  protracted  contest; 
but  by  a  singular  course  of  collusion  and  artifice,  which 
it  were  too  tedious  to  detail,  the  d(?cision  of  1705,  on  the 
lirst  commission,  was  repealed,  and  the  Connecticut  claims 
supported.  This  was  appealed  from  by  the  Masons,  and 
good  cause  appearing,  a  new  trial  was  decreed. 

Five  commissioners,  men  of  note  from  New  York  and 
New  Jersey,  met  at  Norwich  in  the  summer  of  1743,  and 
the  great  case  brought  in  auditors  and  parties  in  interest 
from  far  and  near.  The  claims,  and  the  facts  offered  in 
sup})ort  of  them,  were  strangely  intricate  and  complex: 
counsel  appeared  in  behalf  of  four  sets  of  parties,  viz: 
the  Connecticut  colony;  the  two  claimants  of  the  title  of 
Sachem  of  the  Mohegans,  Ben  and  .Tolin,  a  descendant  of 
the  elder  branch;  and  those  in  possession  of  the  lands 
in  question. 

The  decree  was  in  favor  of  the  colony,  which  was  sus- 
tained on  the  concluding  examination  of  the  case  in 
Endand.  Two  of  the  commissioners  dissented.  The 
Afohegans  still  retained  a  reservation  of  about  four  thou- 
sand acres. 

Their  number  reduced  to  a  few  hundred;  distracted  bv 


NEW  ENGLAND   INDIANS. 


227 


tlic  unecrtiiin  tenure  of  their  property,  and  the  ehiims  of 
the  riviil  suchenis;  iiiin<^UMl  with  the  wliites  in  contentions, 
the  r  erits  of  whicli  ihi'y  were  little  ciipiihle  of  cornpre- 
Ik-ikUu^;  with  di-mikeiiness  and  vice  prevalent  anujnf^ 
tlieni;  the  tribe  was  fust  dwindling  into  insigriili(;ance. 
Restrictive  laws,  forbidding  the  sale  of  ardent  spirits  to  the 
Indians,  were  then,  as  now,  but  of  little  elfect. 

Of  the  celebrated  and  warlike  tribes  of  the  Mohegana 
and  Pequots,  only  a  few  miserable  families  now  remain 
upon  their  ancient  territory.  These  are  mostly  of  mixed 
blood,  and  little  of  the  former  character  of  their  race  is  to 
b<!  i<cvA\  in  them  except  its  peculiar  vices.  They  are 
scantily  su{)j)orted  by  the  rents  of  the  lands  still  reserved 
and  appro[)riatcd  to  their  use.  A  number  of  the  Mohe- 
gans  removed  to  the  Oneida  district,  in  New  York,  some 
years  since,  but  a  few  still  remain  near  the  former  head- 
(piarters  of  their  tribe,  and  individuals  among  them  retain 
the  names  of  sachems  and  warriors  noted  in  the  early 
ages  of  the  colonics. 

Much  interest  r< troches  to  the  efforts  which  have  been 
made  for  the  instruction  and  improvement  of  this  remnant 
of  the  Alohegan  nation ;  especially  as  connected  with  the 
biography  of  Samuel  Occum,  their  native  preacher;  one 
of  the  few  Indians  who  have  been  ])rought  under  the 
induence  of  civilization,  and  have  acquired  a  liberal 
education. 

In  reviewing  the  character  and  history  of  these,  as  of 
most  of  the  native  tribes,  and  reflecting  upon  their  steady 
and  hopeless  decline  before  the  European  immigrants,  we 
cannot  but  feel  influenced  by  contradictory  sympathies. 
Their  cruelties  strike  us  with  horror;  tlieir  treacherv  and 
vices  disgust  us;  but,  with  all  this,  we  still  may  trace  the 
tokens  of  a  great  and  noble  spirit.  .  It  is  painful  to  reflect 
that  this  has  more  and  more  declined  as  their  communion 
with  the  whites  has  become  the  more  intimate.     They 


i^M 


I 


tl 

,1 

'  ..'■' 

i 

Mb 

'i 

1 

i 

-rs 

J 

M 

•^■^ 

■  , 

1 

^<A 

1^ 

■i  }  ^'1 


■.     ..  ' 


*    ;    »^  ' 


I  iv.i    H  { 


228 


INDIAX  llACKH  OF  AMKUICA. 


liavc  lost  tlinir  natioiKility,  niul  witli  it  tlioir  prido  nnd 
.srlf-rospoct;  the  .s([iiiili(l  aiul  poverty -strii-kcii  II^muvh  liaiiMr. 
iiij,'  !il)()iit  tlio  rniscrablo  huts  tlicy  iiiliahit,  cDiivoy  hut  a 
I'aiiit  idea  of  tho  jtit'tiiiT  that  the  nation  presentt'd  wlien  in 
a  j)arcly  Havag(^  state;  when  the  vices  of  IbreigniTS  had  not. 
as  yet,  eontaminated  them,  nor  their  superior  power  and 
knowledij'c  disheartened  them  by  tho  contruat. 


CllAl'TEU  IV. 

K  I  IVO     I'HI  LI  P'S    WA  R. 


I» 


ir,  \ 


P' 


M» 


THE  INDIANS  KUKNISHEU  WITH   KIKK-AKMS SITUATION  OF  TIIK 

COLONISTS — l'niMl''s     AlCESSION HIS     TKKATIKS     WITH 

THE  WHITES — HIS  TRUE  1M,ANS — EMMISSARIES  SENT 

TO  SO(iK()NATE — CAPTAIN  HENJAMIN  CIliniCH 

HIS  INTEIIVIEW  WITH   AWOSHONKS — MUK- 
UEll  OK  JOHN  SASSAiMON. 

The  events  of  whieli  wc  shall  now  proceed  to  give  a 
l)rief  synopsis,  Avero  of  more  momentous  interest,  and 
fraught  with  more  deadly  ])eril  to  the  New  J'higland  colo- 
nies, than  aught  that  liad  preceded  them.  The  wild 
inhabitants  of  the  forest  had  now  become  far  more  danger- 
ous opponents  tlian  when  they  relied  u{)on  their  rude  flint- 
headed  arrows,  or  heavy  stone  tomahawks,  as  the  only 
efllcicnt  wen})ons  of  offence.  Governor  Bradford,  many 
years  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  hostilities  which  Ave  are 
about  to  detail,  had  given  a  gra})hie  deserij)tion  of  the  effect 
produced  upon  their  deportment  and  self-confidence  by  the 
introduction  of  European  weapons.  We  (^uotc  from  I5md- 
ford's  verse,  as  rendered  in  prose  in  the  ai)j)endix  to 
Davis'  edition  of  the  New  England  ^femoiMal. 

"These  fierce  natives,"  says  he,  "are  now  so  firnishcd 


NKW  KN(JLANI)  INDFANR. 


229 


witli  <^uri?  ami  niiisqiicts,  and  arc  so  skilled  in  tlictn,  tliat 
tlicy  kct'j)  llic  I'ji^iisli  in  awe,  and  ^ivo  tin',  law  to  tlicni 
js'lion  tlu'V  please;  and  of  |>o\vdt'r  and  shot  they  liave  surli 
nbundaneo  th;it  soinetitnes  they  reluse  to bny  more.  I'liiits, 
8crc\v-|>lates,  and  moulds  Cor  all  sorts  of  shot  thoy  have, 
and  skill  how  to  n,  e  theni.  'I'hoy  can  mend  and  new 
stock  llieii-  pieces  as  wiill,  almost,  as  an  Mn^lishman." 

lie  describes  tlu;  advantages  which  they  thus  oljtaim^d 
over  the  whites  in  the  pui'suit  oC  garru^;  their  own  con- 
sciousness of  power,  and  ])oasls  that  they  could,  when 
they  plc>ased,  "drive  away  the  Mnglish,  or  kill  them;" 
and  iinally  bri'aks  out  into  bitter  upbi'aidings  against  the 
folly  and  covctousiujss  of  llu;  traders  who  had  suj)plied 
them  with  arms.  His  foi'cbodings  were  truly  prophetic: 
"Many,"  says  he,  "abhor  this  })ractice,"  (the  t'.adc  in  arms 
and  ammunition,)  "whose  innocenct;  will  not  save  them 
if,  which  God  forbid,  they  should  come  to  sec,  ]»y  this 
means,  some  sad  tragedy,  when  these  lieathen,  in  their 
fury,  shall  crucdly  shed  our  innocent  blood." 

The  Knglish  settlements  were  small,  ill  defended,  and 
widely  scattei'cd.  Whoever  is  acfpiainted  with  the  rough 
nature  of  the  New  Kngland  soil,  must  at  once  perceive 
how  necessary  it  became  tor  the  first  settlers  to  select  the 
spots  most  favorable  for  cultivation,  and  what  an  inhos- 
pitable wilderness  nmst  have  separated  their  small  and 
ill-protected  villages. 

The  whole  number  of  the  Eurojiean  iidiabitants  of 
New  Kngland,  in  KiTo,  when  the  memorable  Indian  war 
broke  out,  has  been  comi)utcd  at  about  fifty  thousand, 
which  -would  give  an  eU'ectivc  force  of  not  far  from  eight 
thousand  men. 

It  were  but  wild  conjecture  to  attempt  a  computation 
of  the  number  and  foi'ce  of  the  native  tribes  who  took 
part  in  the  war.  Old  historians  frequently  speak  positively, 
and  in  round  numbers,  when  cnumei'ating  the  aborigines; 


L: 


230 


INDIAN   KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


Il» 


but,  in  many  instances,  we  can  perceive,  with  tolerable 
certainty,  that  they  ha'^c  been  guilty  of  gross  exaggeration, 
such  as  the  whole  circumstances  of  their  intercoui'se  with 
the  savages  would  naturally  lead  to. 

An  enemy  whose  ap])eai'ance  was  sudden  and  unex- 
pected; who,  in  secret  ambuscade  or  midnight  assault, 
used  every  device  to  increase  the  terror  and  bewilderment 
of  their  victims,  might  well  be  over  estimated  by  those 
whose,  all  was  at  stake,  and  who  were  waiting  in  fearful 
uncertainty  as  to  where  the  danger  lay,  or  when  they 
shouhl  next  be  called  to  resist  it. 

In  1662,  I'hilip,  Metacomet  or  Pometacom,  as  we  have 
ali'cady  seen,  succeeded  his  brother  Alexander,  within  a 
few  months  of  the  death  of  their  father,  Massasoit.  U])on 
the  occasion  of  his  assuming  the  dignity  of  sachem  over 
the  Wampanoags,  there  was  a  great  collection  of  sachems 
and  warriors  from  all  parts  of  the  countiy,  to  unite  in  a 
feast  of  rejoicing  at  JSfount  Hope,  where  he  held  his  court. 

Although  the  new  chief  renewed  his  treaty  with  the 
English,  and  for  nine  years  after  his  accession  made  no 
open  demonstrations  of  hostility,  yet  his  mind  a{)})ears 
from  the  first  to  have  been  aliened  from  the  intruders. 
Whether  from  anger  at  the  proceedings  attendant  on  the 
death  of  his  brother,  or  from  sympathy  with  his  injured 
allies,  the  Narragansetts,  or  that  his  natural  sagacity  sug- 
gested to  him  the  ruin  which  must  Jail  u})on  his  peo})le  bv 
the  spread  of  the  whites;  certain  it  is  that  his  feelings  of 
enmity  were  nijurished  and  brooded  over,  long  before 
their  iinal  exhibition. 

Like  his  flither  before  him,  he  never  inclined  an  ear  to 
the  teachings  of  the  Christian  religion.  Mather  mentions 
a  signal  instance  o^  his  contempt  for  tins  species  of  in- 
struction. The  celebrated  preacher,  Eliot,  had  expounded 
the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  and  urged  their  acceptance 
upon  Philip,  with  his  usual  zeal  and  sincerity;  but  the 


r'T 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


231 


saclicm,  approacliing  liim,  and  laying  hold  of  a  button  on 
his  coat,  told  -liiin  that  he  cared  no  more  for  his  Gospel 
than  for  that  button. 

In  the  year  1671,-  riiilip  made  grievous  complaints  of 
trespasses  U})on  the  planting-lands  of  his  })eople:  according 
to  Hubbard,  "tlie  devil,  who  was  a  murderer  from  the 
beginning,  had  so  filled  tlie  heart  of  tliis  savage  miscreant 
with  envy  and  malice  against  the  English,  that  he  was 
ready  to  break  out  into  open  war  against  the  inhabitants 
of  Plj'mouth,  pretending  some  trilling  injuries  done  him 
in  his  })lanting-land." 

This  matter  was  for  the  time  settled,  the  complaints 
not  apjiearing  to  the  colonial  authorities  to  be  satisfac- 
torily substantiated.  A  meeting  was  brought  about,  in 
April,  1671,  at  Taunton,  between  Philip,  accom])anit'd  by 
a  party  of  his  warriors,  in  war  jniint  an<l  hostile  tra})pings, 
and  commissioners  from  Massacliusetts.  The  Indian  chief, 
unable  to  accouiit  for  the  hostile  pre})arations  in  which  he 
was  proved  to  have  been  engaged,  became  confused,  and 
perhaps  intimidated.  He  not  only  acknowledged  himself 
in  the  wrong,  and  that  the  rebellion  originated  in  the 
"  nau<>;htincss  of  his  own  heart,"  but  renewed  his  submis- 
sion  to  the  king  of  England,  and  agreed  to  sui-rendcr  all 
his  English  arms  to  the  government  of  New  Plymouth, 
"to  be  kept  as  long  as  they  should  see  reason."  In  })ursu- 
ance  of  this  clause,  the  guns  brought  by  himself  and  the 
party  who  were  with  him  were  delivered  up. 

The  colonists,  now  thoroughly  alarmed,  made  eiforts 
during;  the  succeedim^  summer  to  dei)rive  the  neighl)c>i'iiig 
tribes  of  arms  and  amnumition,  making  further  prohibitory 
enactments  as  to  the  trade  in  these  articles.  Philip  having 
failed  to  carry  out  his  agreement  to  suri'ender  his  wea})ons, 
the  Plymouth  government  referred  the  matter  to  the 
authorities  of  ^^iussachusetts;  but  Philip,  rc|)airing  himself 
to  Boston,   excited  some  feeling  in   his  favor,  and   the 


■i     AV 


2o2 


INDIAN  RACKS   01'^  AMKHICA. 


W  , 


t 
I 

,1 


^;1 


ii» 


!  i 


claims  of  Plymontli  \v<'i-('  not  Ciilly  assiMilcil  to.  Anotlioj- 
tr(>aiy  was  coucIikIciI  in  the  riisuing  SeptciiiLcr,  wlici'cliy 
I'lii lip  agreed  to  jiay  certain  sti])iilatcd  costs;  to  considci- 
liinisril' sul)Ject  to  the  kin,L^"  ol"  Kng-laud  ;  to  consult  ihe 
i;'o\'ernor  of  IMynionth  in  the  dis])osal  of  his  lands,  a> 


ihe  making  ol' war;  to  ivnder,  if  practical ikv  live 


ilso 


wolves 


heads   \earlv;   '.md   to   I'efe 


dill 


(luiei'ences  ami  causes  < 


)f 


11    I 


ijiiaii'i'l  to  the  decision  of  the  governor.     I'he  arms  put  in  ' 

possession  of  tlic  Knglish  at  the  time  of  the  meeting  in  i 

A[)ril,  wei'c  declared  ibileil,  and  coinlscatcd  by  the   Ply-  ' 

month  .u'o\'ei'innent.                                  •  I  ■ 

can  be  hut  litt!(>  doid)t  as  to  Philip/s  motive  for  ': 

ck's.      ]'"eelings   of  cnmitv  and   i'e\rnu(>  ' 


Tl 


lere 


siu'ihul;'  these  art 


towards  the  whites  had  obtained  complete  ])ossession  of 


h 


inn,  and   lie  evulently  wished   mei'cJy  to  quK>t  suspirmii 
and  a\('rt  in(p;ii'y.      It  is  almost  universally  allowed  tl 


lai 
tte 


he  had  long  foi'nuMJ  a  de([)  and  settled  ])lan  to  extenniii; 
the  white  settlers,  and,  in  pui'suanco  of  it,  had  made  use 
lis  [)owers  of  artful  ])ersnasion  iu  his  interconise 


oi   al 


with   the  sui'romiding  tribes,     ^riie  time  foi- a  L;-en<'i'al  nn- 

.  '  '  ' 

ri.-iiig  was  said  to  have  been   fix"d  a  year  later  than  the 

period  when  hostilities  actually  commenced,  and  the  jire- 

mature  development  of  the  (Conspiracy,  broiiglit  about  in 

11  manner  to  which  we  shall   pri'sently  adveit,  lias  bceu 


)     c(;nsidcrc( 


!  j 
!  I 


1  the  salvation  of 


lie  colonies. 


Hubbard,  indec'd,  who  is  ever  unwilling  to  allow  that 


the  Indians  wei 


d  of 


I'c  possesseil  ot  any  goou  or  desn-ihle  (piah 


ties,  ai 


id  who  can  see  no  wroiii 


^  in  any  of  the  outrages  o 


r 


tiie  whiles,  suggests  that  Philip's  heart  would  have  l;iilc(l 
liim,  had  he  not  been  ju'essed  on  to  the  imdcrtaking  bv 
fore(>  of  circumstances.  He  tells  us  that,  when  tl 
sachem  siU'cuinbe(l  to  du;  l-higlish  demands, 
jire\ious,  "one  of  his  captains,  of  fir  better 


le  a'l'cat 


III  Ih 


c  Shrill! 


coui'a'.!('  aih 


I 


rcsi 


lintioii  than  himself,  w  hci 


1  he  saw  his  ct)ward!y  temper 


and  disposition,  Hung  down  his  arms,  calling  him  a  white- 


s:  in 


l<  I  V  (;    i>  II  I  L  1 1>, 


■l; 


.•I    iU's  ,  (• 


('•"V-WI 


*1   (f 


V|1' 


^'■^^•:.:[il 


',.; 


.:i 


"r*^ 


AH 

I'* 


1 1  Ji^'* 

I !  nov 

i  tiiiii 

I'  this 

;|  1 

i;  fi^'M" 

i;  ^^^> 

' '  colo 

I '  to  a 

i!  ,1^^^' 

!'  then 

:  [  tion: 

|:  T 

j  •  stru; 

•!  out 

! '  pr()\ 

:,  the 

■  i  natit 

!  than 
leau'i 

'  nceti 

i  : 

I  ever 

I  '' 

!;  patd 

i  enstc 

i  I  tliC  s 

j  thet 

!  I  but, 

ii  gena 

i  I  and  ( 

;  tain  : 

in  th 


Th 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


2'^Q 


DO 


livercd  cur  '^r  k'  t.:  t  purpose,  and  saying  that  he  would 
never  own  him  again  or  fig] it  under  him;  and,  from  tluit 
time,  hath  turned  to  the  English,  and  hath  continued,  to 
this  day,  a  faithful  and  resolute  soldier  in  their  quarrel." 

Philip  had  mingled  much  with  the  whites,  and  was  \yA\ 
acquainted  with  their  habits,  dispositions,  and  force,  j'or 
fifty  years  there  had  been  comjiarative  ]ieace  between  the 
colonists  and  their  savage  neighbors,  w  'lO,  although  slow 
to  adopt  the  customs  and  refiiiements  now  brought  to  their 
notice,  were  apt  enough,  as  we  have  seen,  in  availing 
themselves  of  the  weapons  which  ]uit  the  contending  na- 
tions so  nearl}'"  upon  terms  of  equality. 

To  rouse  a  widely-scattered  people  to  such  a  desperate 
struggle;  to  reconcile  clannish  animosities,  aaiid  to  point 
out  the  danger  of  allowiiii?;  the  colonies  to  continue  their 
sj)read,  I'equircd  a  master-spirit.  ^Flie  Wampanoag  sachem 
proved  himself  qualilied  for  the  undertaking:  he  gained 
the  concurrence  and  cr)opcration  of  the  Narragansetts,  a 
nation  always  more  favorably  disposed  towards  the  iMigli.'h 
than  most  others  of  the  Indian  tribes;  he  extended  his 
leairue  far  to  the  westward,  amono;  the  tribes  on  the  Con- 
nccticut  and  elsewhere;  and  sent  diplomatic  embassies  in 
every  direction. 

Six  of  his  warriors,  in  the  vSpring  of  1675,  were  dis- 
patched to  Sogkonate,  now  Little  Compton,  u])on  the 
eastern  shores  of  Narratransett  bav,  and  extendinj);  along 
the  sea  coast,  to  treat  with  Awoshonks,  squaw  sachem  of 
the  tribe,  concerning  the  proposed  uprising.  The  queen 
appointed  a  great  dance,  calUng  together  all  her  ])e()pl<j, 
but,  at  the  same  time,  took  the  precaution  to  send  intelli- 
gence of  the  jirocceding,  by  two  Indians,  named  Sassainon 
and  George,  who  understood  liiiglish,  to  her  friend,"  Ca])- 
tain  Benjamin  Church,  the  onl}-  white  settler  then  residing 
in  that  part  of  the  country. 

This  remarkable  man,  whose  name  occupies  so  pi'ominent 


..'J 

'■■,J 


•  'Tf*-^"^- 


mi 

■■■■:    PiL 


'.' .'  .    '■  i'    ' '  .t,*'i'  Hill 


.  I* 


•  v.^>. 


23-i 


INDIAN  llACES  OF  AMERICA. 


!f 


a  place  in  tlie  list  of  our  early  military  liorocs,  Lad  moved 
from  Duxbury  into  the  unsettled  eountry  of  the  Sogkonates 
oidy  the  year  before,  and  was  busily  and  laboriously  en- 
gaged, at  this  time,  in  building,  and  in  the  numerous  t-ares 
attendant  upon  a  uew  setth'ment.  lie  was  a  man  of 
courage  and  fortitude  unsur])?lssed:  bold  and  energ(>tic; 
but  With  all  the  rough  qualities  of  a  soldier,  ])ossessiiig  a 
heart  so  o})en  to  kindly  emotions  and  the  gentler  feelings 
of  humanity  as  to  excite  our  surjirise,  when  we  eonsider 
the  stern  age  in  which  he  lived,  and  the  scenes  of  savage 
conflict  in  which  he  bore  so  cons})ieuous  a  part. 

^i'rue  courage  is  geni'rally  cond)ijied  with  generosity  and 
magnanimity,  '^fhe  brave  man  S(>ldom  oppresses  a  fallen 
foe;  a  fact  ^rikingly  exemplified  in  Church's  treatment 
of  his  prisoners.  lie  seems  to  have  harbored  none  of  those 
feelings  of  bitterness  and  revenge  which  led  the  colonists 
to  acts  of  perfidy  and  crut^lty  liardlv  surpassed  by  the 
savages  themselves.  Tlie  manner  in  which  he  was  able 
to  conciliate  the  good-will  of  the  IiuUans,  knoAvn  as  he  was 
among  them  for  their  most  dangerous  foe,  is  truly  aston- 
ishing. It  Avas  his  custom  to  select  from  his  ca])tives  such 
as  took  his  fancy,  and  attach  them  to  himself,  and  never 
was  ofllcer  attended  by  a  more  enthusiastic  and  faitliful 
guard  than  they  proved.  His  son  tells  us  that  "if  he 
perceived  they  looked  surly,  and  his  Indian  soldiers  called 
them  treacherous  clogs,  as  some  of  them  Avould  sometimes 
do,  all  the  notice  he  would  take  of  it  would  only  be  to 
clap  them  on  the  back,  and  tell  them,  'Come,  come,  you 
look  wild  and  surly,  and  mutter,  but  that  signifies  nothing; 
these,  in}'  best  soldiers,  werc^,  a  little  while  ago,  as  wild  and 
surly  as  you  are  now;  by  the  time  you  have  been  but  one 
day  Avith  me,  you  Avill  hjvc  me  too,  and  be  as  brisk  as  any 
of  them.'  And  it  proA^d  so,  for  there  Avas  none  ol'  them 
but,  after  they  had  been  a  little  Avhile  Avith  him,  and  seen 
his  behavior    and  how  cheerful  and  successful  his  men 


KEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


235 


vrere,  would  be  as  ready  to  pilot  liiiii  to  any  i)lace  where 
tlic  Indians  dwelt  or  haunted,  though  their  own  fathers  or 
nearest  relations  should  be  among  them,  or  to  light  for 
him,  as  any  of  his  own  men." 

C'a|)tain  Church  was  in  high  favor  and  confidence  Avith 
Awoslionks  and  her  tribe;  he  therefore  accepted  her  in\i- 
tation  to  attend  at  the  dance,  and  started  for  the  camp, 
accompanied  by  a  son  of  his  tenant,  who  spoke  the  In- 
dian language. 

Jle  found  the  queen  leading  the  dance,  "in  a  muck  of 
sweat,"  surrounded  by  a  great  body  of  her  subjects.  She 
received  her  visitor  hospitably,  told  him  of  Thilip's  threats, 
and  inquired  concerning  the  purposes  of  the  English. 
Church  told  her  that  no  injuries  had  been  meditated  by 
the  whites,  as  Philip  averred,  but  that  the  sachem  was  the 
aggressor,  lie  advised  her  to  keep  upon  good  terms  with 
the  English,  asking  her  whether  it  was  a  probable  thing 
that  he  should  have  come  down  into  the  wilderness  to  set- 
tle— if  there  were  warlike  preparations  in  progress  among 
his  people;  and  silenced  the  six  Mount  Hope  ambassadcn-s 
by  ]'econmiending  that  they  should  be  knocked  on  the 
head.  A  stormy  discussion  ensued  among  the  Indians, 
and  one  Little  Eyes,  a  man  of  importance,  endeavored  to 
draw  Church  aside  to  dispatch  him  quietly;  but  the  capti^i  i 
was  unmoved,  and  upbraided  the  Mount  Hopes  for  tlieir 
bloody  intention,  assuring  them  that,  if  they  would  have 
war,  he  would  prove  a  thorn  in  their  sides.  Awoslionks 
inclined  to  his  advice,  and,  having  appointed  two  men 
to  guard  his  house  during  his  absence,  desired  him  to  go  to 
Plymouth,  and.  make  known  her  good  faith  to  the  colonies. 

CliLirch  started  on  his  mission,  and,  on  the  way,  gained 
i'urther  information  concerning  Ph"li])'s  movements  irom 
l\'t(^r  Nunnuit,  the  husband  of  AVeetamore,  queen  of  Po- 
casset,  now  Tiverton.  Phili]i,  it  seems,  had  been  holding 
a  protracted  dance  for  a  number  of  weeks,  rousing  a  mar- 


:^  '\:r'i 


•  ■ 

:. ,.  r^ 

* 

1  i      -.-■'''■ 

■ 

■'  ^^it 

:..| 

*     ■ 

■  -:  .••'■■ 

'"*■  '  ■; 

' .  r  .  .*}  p.'-. 

'     -  .  .','1  .i;4  {>  iv-  ■   ' 


^iH   .■ 


i"  «,-  ".'  >•    '   ■ 


vtmh 


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ii» 


2o0 


IXIJIAX  HACKS  OF  AMEltlCA. 


tial  si)irit  in  tlio  ininds  of  llic  young  warriors  avIio  wore 
gathered  about  liini  fi'orii  far  and  near.  Ho  liad  finally 
promised  tlunn  that,  on  the  succeeding  Sabbath,  ilmy 
iiiiLi;ht  ])liiiider  the  English  settlements,  wliile  the  people 
were  engaged  in  religious  services. 

We  may  iiere  mention  a  circumstance  whieli  was  con- 
sidered, by  Hubbard  and  others,  as  luiving  an  im[)ortant 
beai'ing  u[)on  the  jireinature  eonnnencement  of  hostilities 
^u  the  ••  irt  of  Pliilip:  this  was  the  murder  of  John  Sas- 
fc.  'O  .,  rid  the  subse(pient  execution  of  the  guilty  parties. 
b,.\  •.fUi'j'  was  one  of  the  few  Indians  who,  at  tliat  time, 
had  ^cived  die  rudiments  of  an  Kngbsh  education,  lie 
was  a  professoi'  of  Christianity,  and  had  been  employed 
among  his  people  in  the  cajxicities  of  schoolmaster,  jireacher, 
and  royrd  secretary'.  In  1()()2,  lie  occupied  this  latter  post 
under  Philip,  to  whom  he  was  subject,  although  born  a 
Massaehusett — and  si)ecimcns  of  his  imperfect  eonununi- 
cations  with  the  colonies,  in  behalf  of  his  sachem,  are 
still  preserved. 

Bccomin  ■;  aware  of  the  dangerous  conspiracy  fomented 
by  Phili]),  lie  disclosed  the  whole  plot  to  the  oflicei-s  of  the 
colony;  and,  not  long  after,  his  body  was  found  in  Assa- 
wornsett  pond,  with  the  neck  broken,  and  pi'csenting  oIIkt 
marks  of  violence.  Ills  gun  and  hat  were  so  disposed  ns 
to  give  the  impression  that  he  had  accidentally  fallen 
through  the  ice,  and  been  drowned.  The  matter  was 
strictly  inquired  into,  and  three  Indians,  of  rhili})'s  jiarty. 
falling  under  suspicion,  were  regularly  tried  before  a  Jury, 
in  ]-»art  at  least  of  their  peers,  as  it  was  com})osed  of  whites 
and  Indians.  '^I'he  culprits  were  convicted  and  executed, 
two  of  them  upon  what  would  aj)])ear  to  us  as  very  insuf- 
lieii^nt  evidence.  IMather  speaks  of  the  blood  oozing  IVoiii 
the  murdered  body  on  the  a])proach  of  the  accust'd;  but 
whether  this  circumstance  made  a  jiart  of  the  evidence 
beibre  the  court  does  not  a])pear. 


NEW  EXOLAND    INDIANb. 


237 


Philip  liiinsclf  did  not  come  forward  to  attempt  to  clear 
bimseli'  of  tlic  cliari^e  of  l)ein<^  coneenied  in  lliis  murder, 
but  kejit  liis  wairiors  in  ])reparatiou  f(jr  l)attle,  receiving 
and  entertaining  all  the  roving  and  unsettled  Indians  who 
would  resort  to  him,  aiul  "marching  up  and  down"  con- 
tinually during  the  pendancy  of  the  trial. 


CHAPTER  V. 

ATTACK  ON    SWANSKY — COLLECTIOX  OF  TUOOPS — FIGl'"     AT    MILEs' 

BRIDGE PHILIP  DRIVEN  FROM  THE    NKCK CHb.    '11  .'..., 

PUNKATESE DESTRUCTION  OF  RROOKFIE     ). 

It  was  on  the  24th  of  June,  1075,  that  m^  irst  open 
attack  was  made  upon  the  colonies.  The  small  village  of 
Swansey  lay  within  a  few  miles  of  ^foiint  ;^  .^  and  hero 
the  first  blood  was  shed.  Some  days  previous,  a  Ynwty  of 
the  natives  had  committed  a  few  slight  depredations  at  this 
place,  and  conducted  themselves  with  insolence,  evidently 
desirous  of  provoking  a  quarrel. 

The  squaws  and  children  of  Philip's  active  force  Averc 
sent,  for  safety,  to  the  country  of  the  Narragansetts,  before 
any  open  demonstration  of  hostilities. 

Some  little  discrepancy  occurs  in  the  early  accounts  of 
the  first  fatal  attack,  but  it  is  certain  that,  on  the  day  above 
mentioned,  eight  or  nine  men  were  killed  in  diflbrent  parts 
of  Swansev.  A  company  returning  from  religious  exer- 
cises, "in  a  way  of  humiliation,"  were  fired  upon  with  fatal 
effect,  one  being  killed  and  several  wounded.  Two  more, 
who  had  started  in  quest  of  a  suvgeon,  were  slain,  scalped 
and  mangled;  and  six  men  were  killed  at  a  dwellingdiouse 
.situated  in  another  part  of  the  settlement. 

l''rom  this  period  all  was  terror  and  confusion.     Swan- 


n 


n 


i  I 


I 


I 


1 1 

.Li 


'  '■■n'T 


0^4: 


■■  'I 


^   r4  k    41 


-,t 


'  .  ^A 


V',l 


ki!i 


238 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


if 


(#» 


sey  was  deserted  l>y  its  iiiliiibitants,  and  mostly  reduced  to 
ashes  by  the  Indians.  Deputations  were  st-nt  to  Boston, 
to  lay  the  case  belore  the  Massaehusetts  authorities,  and 
to  stjlieit  some  prom{)t  and  eilicient  protectiou  in  this  ter- 
rible emergeney. 

A  i)arty  of  horse  and  foot  were  at  once  dispatched  in 
the  direction  of  Mount  Hope,  under  the  command  of  Cap- 
tains Henchman  and  Prentice.  Samuel  Mosely,  a  bold  and 
martial  character,  who  had  pursued  the  callin<ij  of  a  })riva- 
teer,  raised  a  volunteer  company  of  one  hundi'cd  and  ten 
soldiers,  and  joined  the  expedition,  lie  was,  it  is  said,  ac- 
comjianied  by  several  bucaneers  of  his  own  class,  with  a 
number  of  dogs;  and  the  feats  performed  l)y  them,  upon 
divers  occasions,  savor  rather  of  the  marvellous. 

The  head-quarters  of  the  united  forces  wei'c  at  the  house 
of  a  minister  of  Swansey,  named  Miles,  and  hard  by  was  a 
bridge,  allbrding  convenient  access  to  the  domains  of  riiilip. 

Captain  Church,  with  the  Plymouth  troops  under  Major 
Cutworth,  were  now  acting  in  concert  with  the  men  from 
Massachusetts.  The  Indians  lay  concealed  or  skulking 
about  the  garrison,  and  succeeded  in  killing  a  number  by 
shots  from  covert,  but  showed  themselves  wary  of  coming 
to  open  combat. 

A  detachment  of  Prentice's  men,  led  by  a  Mr.  Gill  and 
one  Belc;her,  made  an  attempt  upon  the  enemy  in  their 
own  quarters,  but,  upon  crossing  Miles'  bridge,  were  fired 
upon  by  some  of  the  Indians  lying  in  ambush,  and  one 
of  th(ur  number  was  killed.  Gill  was  struck  by  a  ball, 
which  would  have  proved  mortal  but  for  a  singular  spe- 
cies of  defensive  armor,  viz:  a  quantity  of  thick  brown 
paper  which  lie  had  inserted  under  his  clothes.  The  troops 
retreated,  leaving  Church,  Gill,  and  another  to  bring  ofP 
the  dead  man;  which,  being  accomplished.  Church  pur- 
sued and  regained  his  horse,  under  the  full  fire  of  the  enemy. 

The  next  day  the  bridge  was  crossed  by  a  larg(ir  force, 


:f 


Jj 


•rrT"^ 


NKW  KN'CJLANl)    INDIANS. 


230 


and,  after  aomo  skiniiisliing,  in  wliieli  "Kliisi^ni  Suvago, 
that  young  martial  .s))ark,  scarce  twenty  ycar.i  of  ago,"  was 
shot  through  the  thigh — as  Church  says,  by  an  acciihnital 
ball  from  his  own  party — the  ncclc  of  Mount  Hope  was 
cleared  of  Indians.  The  English  there  found  Philip's  de- 
serted wigwam,  and  the  mutilated  remains  of  a  uumher 
of  the  murdered  whites. 

It  was  now  proposed  to  secure  the  ground  already  gained 
hy  the  erection  of  a  fort.  Church  I'idiculed  the  plan,  and 
urgently  advocated  a  brisk  pursuit  of  the  enemy  in  the 
Pocasset  country,  whither  they  had  doubtless  fled.  Fi'om 
disregard  Uj  this  advice,  Phili})  had  free  scope  to  extend 
his  devastations  unchecked  toward  the  east,  and  terrible 
(lestructiou  ensued,  as  we  shall  sec  )iereafter. 

Early  in  July,  Captains  Church  and  Fuller,  with  six 
files  of  soldiers,  were  sent  across  to  lihodc  Island,  thence 
to  cross  Sogkonate  river,  andendeav(^r  to  communicate  with 
the  Pocasset  and  Sogkonate  Indians.  About  the  same  time, 
Ca{)taiii  Hutchinson,  fi-om  Boston,  arrived  at  the  English 
encampment,  having  been  commissioned  to  treat  Avith  and 
gain  over  the  Narragansetts.  In  jjursuancc  of  this  j)ur- 
pose,  Ilutchinson,  with  Mosely  and  the  Massachusetts 
troops,  proceeded  in  arms  to  the  Narragansett  country, 
where,  in  concert  with  connnissioners  from  Connecticut, 
they  concluded  a  futile  and  inoperative  treaty  of  amity 
with  certain  Indians  claiming  to  bo  chief  counsellors  of 
the  prominent  sachems.  The  Narragansetts  were  bound, 
by  the  stipulations  of  this  alliance,  to  render  up  all  of 
Philip's  subjects  who  should  be  found  in  their  country — • 
I'ceeiving  two  coats  for  every  prisoner,  and  one  coat  for 
every  head — and  to  carry  on  active  war  against  the  enemies 
of  the  whites.  Hostages  were  given  to  ensure  the  per- 
formance of  the  engagement. 

While  this  child's  play  was  enacting,  Fuller  and  Church, 
with  their  little  band  of  thirty-six  men,  had  penetrated 


'  1 


$ 


If 

<  i  ■il 


■J-T 


■■■>  V  **J 


210 


INDIAN    HACKS  OK  AMKlllCA. 


',,! 


into  the  country  of  tlio  J'ocjis.sots.  A  fttT  sonio  unancccssCnl 
nttonij)'  ,  .o  outrii|)  tlicM'nciny  !>}'  tn(>iins  ('('iiMilmscjidc,  [\\u' 
c'oiiccaK'd  t'()iiij);niy  Ix'in.i:'  bctrjivftl  liy  incautiously  ^^I'lili- 
lyin<jf  tlu'ir  "cimlcniica!  pla^iic,  lu.^t  alter  tobacco,") 
C'liurch  and  llf\i'cn  or  t\vcnt\  I'onipanions,  with  the  ci)nscnt 
ol'  Ciijitain  l""uilcr,  IclL  tin!  lesl  al  I'ocaHsot,  and  marched 
Boutliward, 

'J'licy  struck  an  Indian  trail  li'iiding  towards  an  oxtcnsivo 
])ino  Hwainj),  but  tlio  coin]>any  becoming  alarmo«l  by  tliu 
nnmbci's  ol'  rattlesnakes  which  abounded  there,  h'l't  tht; 
track,  and  went  down  into  I'unkatese  neck.  At  (his  |>lafe, 
which  is  situated  on  the  south-westei'n  partofthc!  modern 
town  ol'  Tiverton,  they  encountered  a  large;  body  of  tht; 
natives  in  and  around  a  j)ease-lield  of  Captain  Aim  v. 
They  nund)ered,  as  Church  was  alU-rwards  told  by  some  of 
tluiirown  party,  about  three  hundred;  but,  as  they  ])U?'sned 
the  usual  course  oi'  saviige  warlare,  iiring  from  behind 
ti'ees  and  thickets,  the  English  could  i'orm  no  estimate  of 
the  Ibree  with  which  they  were  to  contend. 

In  this  extremity  the  courage,  coolness,  and  self-posses- 
sion of  the  gallant  eai)lnin  wei-e  eminently  conspicuous. 
As  forcibly  expressed  in  Church's  narrative,  "tiie  hill 
seemed  to  move,  being  covered  over  with  Indians,  with 
their  bright  guns  glittering  in  the  sun." 

A  detachment  had  been  sent  down  the  river  in  boats  to 
su})}H)rt  the  troops  on  land,  and  could  be  plaiidy  seen, 
landed  upon  the  llhpde  Island  shore,  across  the  river. 
Church  bade  liis  men  strip  to  their  shirt-sleeves,  and  lire 
sigiud  guns  to  attract  attention,  and  show  their  allii's  that 
the  party  engaged  was  English.  ^J'his  course  succeeded, 
ami  a  boat  put  out,  and  api>roached  the  combatants;  bnt, 
on  a])proac.hing  the  shore,  the  crew  received  such  a  volley 
I'rom  the  guns  of  the  Indians,  that  they  })ulled  olf  again. 
Church,  enraged  at  their  j)usillanimity,  linally  ordt^red  the 
boat  oil",  and  threatenwl  to  lire  into  her  himself.     TJiese 


'I 
1 1 


NEW  KNflT-ANI)    INDIANS. 


211 


fow  men,  tliiis  Icfl  to  sliifl.  for  tluniisolvcs,  now  sootned  to 
1)0  in  ft  (Icsjicrato  (condition.  'IMu^y  wcru  liiiiit  lor  want  of 
food,  as  tli(\v  luul  iK'^lcctctl  to  luiiitij  any  ]iro\  isions,  otlnT 
than  a  few  cakes  of  rusk,  and  lia<l  ht'cii  (liiv<Mi  I'roni  tli(> 
jM'aso-lit'Id  while  (Midcavniini^  to  alhiy  their  hun<^or  with 
th(;  crude  nonrishnient  within  their  reach.  Tho  Indians 
beset  tlieni  on  all  sides,  and,  {^ainin^  jtossi-ssion  of  tli(i 
ruins  of  an  old  stone-house,  j)onr(>iI  their  hullets  upon  tho 
Kiiglish  (Vom  its  shelter,  'i'he  anununition  of  Church's 
jxirty  was  nearly  expended,  and  their  powder  was  poor  and 
iueirutieiit.  In  the  midst  of  these  (Itl'ieultic's,  the  eaj)tain 
succeeded  in  preservin.t^  the  coura;.^o  and  spirit  of  his  men, 
pointinf:^  out  to  them  liow  providentially  the  balls  aoomed 
to  1)1!  directed. 

They  were  finally  reli(ive(^.  from  their  perilous  situation 
by  the  arrival  of  u  sloop  of  Captain  (ioldiiij.'',  an  ac(|uaint- 
ancc  of  Church.  Moorinuj  the  vessel  at  a  short  distance, 
he  cast  oil'  a  canoe,  and  sulTered  it  to  drive  ashore.  In 
this  slight  vehicle,  which  would  cai-ry  but  two  at  a  time, 
the  wlK)le  of  the  })inty  got  off  to  tlu^  sloop,  by  a  r(>p(!titit>n 
of  the  same  opc'ration.  (Jliurch,  who  had  left  his  hat  at  a 
spring,  declared  that  the  enemy  should  not  have  it  as  a 
trophy;  and,  loading  his  gun  with  his  last  charge  of  pow- 
der, he  went  up  alone,  in  the  face  of  the  Indians,  and 
recovered  it.  AV'^Ikju  going  on  board  in  the  canoe,  a  ball 
struck  a  small  stake  just  before  his  breast,  and  another 
passed  through  his  hair. 

Joining  company  next  day  with  Fuller's  party,  who  had 
also  been  engaged  with  the  Indians  at  Pocasset,  they  all 
returned  to  the  encani])ment  at  Mount  Hope,  where  the 
an  V,  as  Church  averred,  "lay  still  tt)  cover  the  ])eoplo 
from  nobody,  while  they  were  building  a  fort  for  nothing." 

Shortly  after  this,  being  uj)on  Jihode  Islaiul,  in  pursuit 
of  su))pli(^s  for  th(!  garrison.  Church  fell  in  with  Aldennaii, 
a  deserter  from  the  forces  of  Weetamore,  queen  of  ''ocio- 
16 


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J     iiill 


242 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMEUICA. 


rw 


|l» 


sot.  By  conversation  with  tliis  Indian,  he  learned  thn 
precise  spot  at  wliieli  the  squaw  sachem  was  encampt  i], 
and,  in  pursuance  of  his  suggestion,  an  expe(htion  was 
inunediately  set  on  foot  against  her.  The  attenijit  termin- 
ated in  an  unimj)ortant  skirmisli;  the  chief  oHiccr  of  tlio 
riymoutli  men  being  timid,  and  the  Indians  retiring  to  a 
swamp  of  dilhcult  access. 

On  the  18th  of  July,  the  united  forces  of  the  colonists 
drove  Philip,  with  a  large  body  of  his  warriors,  into  an 
extensive  swamp  in  Pocasset.  After  an  imperfect  exam- 
inatiitn  of  the  Indians'  place  of  retreat,  the  forces  were 
di'awn  oif,  having  sustained  considerable  loss  by  the  iiro 
of  tlie  lurking  enemy.  It  was  averred,  indeed,  by  some, 
that  iialf  an  hour  more  of  energetic  pursuit  would  have 
secured  Philip,  and  ]ierhaps  have  ended  the  war.  One 
hundred  newly-erected  wigwams  Avere  found  deserted  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  swamp;  and  an  old  man,  who  had  been 
left  behind  in  the  prcei])itate  retreat,  confirmed  the  suppo- 
sition that  Philip  had  but  lately  fled  from  the  camp. 

Not  far  from  this  time,  the  town  of  Dartmouth  having 
iK'cn,  in  great  measure,  destroyed  by  the  enemy,  a  large 
number  of  Indians,  no  less  than  one  hundred  and  sixty, 
A\  ho  had  dwelt  in  the  country  thereabout,  and  were  not 
active  partakers  in  the  dc>struetion  of  the  town,  delivered 
themselves  up  to  one  Captain  Eels,  upon  promises  of  good 
treatment.  They  were,  nevertheless,  taken  to  Plymouth; 
sold  by  the  colonial  authorities  as  slaves;  and  transpoi'tod 
to  foreign  parts.  Captains  Church  and  Eels  made,  upon 
this  occasion,  the  most  vehement  remonstrances,  expressed 
by  Church  with  his  characteristic  energy  and  spirit;  but 
all  to  no  purpose,  as  it  only  secured  him  the  ill-will  of  the 
government.  The  act  was  grossly  impolitic,  as  well  an 
perfidious  and  cruel. 

The  English  entertained  hopes  of  being  able  to  confine 
Philii)  within  the  limits  of  the  swamp  to  which  he  ha/I 


.;j 


NEW  ENGLAND   INDIANS. 


24;j 


retired,  aiv.i  proceeded  to  erect  another  fort  at  Pocasset; 
an  exp-'du'iit  which  seems  to  have  been  as  ill-advised  and 
futile  as  the  garrisoning  of  Mount  Hope.  The  sachem 
had  abundant  leisure  to  prepare  canoes,  an  opportunity  of 
which  he  diligently  availed,  himself,  and  secretly  passed 
the  river  with  all  his  warriors.  They  were  seen  by  the 
people  of  llehoboth,  crossing  the  open  country,  which  ex- 
tended, for  some  distance,  and  offered  no  means  of  protec- 
tion or  concealment  to  the  fugitives. 

A  party  was  speedily  sent  in  pursuit,  under  Captain 
Hencliman,  accompanied  by  Owenoco,  the  son  of  Uncas 
the  Mohegan,  and  a  considerable  band  of  warriors.  Un- 
cas had  sent  this  detachment  to  Boston,  upon  the  summons 
of  the  Massachusetts  authorities,  to  renew  his  assurances 
of  good  fliith,  and  proffer  assistance  in  the  campaign 
against  Philip. 

Henchman's  company  proceeded  up  the  river  to  Provi- 
dence, and  being  there  somewhat  reinforced,  hastened  at 
once  on  the  trail  of  the  Wampanoag.  Coming  up  with  a 
portion  of  the  enemy,  a  sharp  engagement  ensued,  and 
about  thirty  of  Philip's  warriors  were  killed,  but  the  Afo- 
hcgans  stopping  for  plunder,  the  principal  force  escaped, 
and  from  that  time  were  no  more  seen  by  the  pursuers. 
Henchman  returned  with  his  men  to  the  eastern  colonics, 
while  the  Mohegans  took  their  way  southward  to  their 
own  country,  leaving  Philip  to  pursue  his  course  towards 
the  Hudson,  and  to  rouse  up  the  war  among  the  western 
settlements  of  Miissachusetts. 

The  Nipmucks,  a  large  tribe  inhabiting  the  north-east- 
ern portion  of  the  present  state  of  Connecticut,  and  the 
adjoining  Massachusetts  districts,  appear,  ere  this  period, 
to  have  become  involved  in  Philip's  undertaking.  Men- 
don,  a  small  town,  twenty- four  miles  westward  from  Provi 
dence,  and  standing  at  some  distance  from  any  other 
settlement,  had  been  attacked  on  the  14th  of  July,  and  a 


« 


I 
|!       'I 


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a* 


2U 


■  I 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMEJtICA. 


.lumber  of  men  killed  by  shots  from  an  unseen  enemy. 
The  whole  of  the  inhabitants  deserted  the  i)lace  in  terror, 
and  it  was  redueed  to  ashes  by  the  assaihmts. 

'^Phe  eolonies  attempted,  after  tliis,  to  treat  with  the 
Nipmnek  saeliems,  but  found  them  reserved  and  "surly." 
A  meeting  was,  however,  ai)})ointed  between  them  and 
an  endxissy  froin  the  Massaehusetts  government.  Captains 
AV'ieeler  aiul  JIutehinson,  with  a  eonsiderablc  body  of 
mounted  men,  re})aired  to  the  })lacc  of  meeting  at  tlie  time 
designated,  viz:  the  2d  of  August;  but,  instead  of  coming 
forwaid  infrieiunyconfercnce,  the  Indians,  to  the  number  of 
two  or  three  hundred,  formed  an  ambuscade,  and,  firing  sud- 
denly from  their  cover,  killed  eight  of  tlie  whites  at  the  lii-st 
discharge.    Hutchinson  was  killed  and  Wheeler  wounded. 

The  compan_y,  avoiding  tlie  other  spots  where  they  sus- 
pected the  enemy  to  be  lying  in  and)ush,  made  the  best 
of  their  way  to  Brookfield,  a  solitary  village  iiear  the 
]n"ineipal  head-quarters  of  the  Nipmucks.  The  Indians, 
in  great  numbers,  pursued  them  into  the  town.  They 
foiuid  the  terrified  inhabitants  collected  in  a  single  house, 
which  stood  on  a  rising  ground,  wheie  they  had  fortified 
themselves  as  well  as  possible,  upon  such  aii  emer- 
gency, by  piling  logs  and  hanging  feather  beds  against 
the  walls.  AVlieelcr  and  his  comi)anioiiS  also  entered  the 
house,  and  the  savages,  after  burning  all  the  buildings  in 
the  town,  Vv^ith  the  exception  of  a  few  immediately  adjoin- 
ing that  where  the  whites  had  retreated,  laid  close  siege  to 
'vi'e  frail  fortification.  Seventy  people,  including  women 
and  :;hildrcn,  were  here  crowded  together,  with  such  slight 
delcnccs  as  we  have  mentioned;  while  an  enraged  and  n;- 
morseless  enemy  was  pouring  showers  of  bulhits  through 
the  walls,  and  using  every  endeavor  to  fire  the  house. 
The  Indians  shot  burning  arrows  upon  the  roof,  and, 
attaching  rags  dipped  in  brimstone  to  long  poles,  they  set 
fire  to  them,  and  thrust  them  against  the  walls.     From  the 


u 


NP:W  EXCILAXI)  INDIANS. 


215 


afternoon  of  ^fonday  the  2(1  of  August,  till  Wcducsdny 
evening,  these  assaults  eontinued;  and,  as  a  last  att(Mu|»t, 
the  besiegers  loaded  a  cart  with  hemp  and  other  inflaia- 
maV>le  materials,  and  hinding  together  a  number  of  poles,  so 
attached  to  the  vehicle  that  it  could  be  moved  from  a  s;i(e 
distance,  wheeled  it  blazing  against  the  building.  This  was 
in  the  evening,  and,  according  to  Wheeler's  account,  noth- 
ing could  have  })reserve(l  the  unfortunate  innuites,  liad  not  a 
heavy  shower  of  rain  suddoidy  extinguished  the  burning 
mass.  In  the  words  of  Hubbard,  by  "this  develish  strata- 
gem," but  for  the  rain,  "all  the  poor  peo})lc  would  either 
have  been  consumed  by  merciless  flames,  or  else  have  fall- 
en into  the  hands  of  their  cruel  enemies,  like  wolves  con- 
tinually yelling  and  gaping  for  their  prey." 

To  exclude  all  assistance  from  without,  the  Indians  had 
placed  watchers  and  ambuscades  upon  all  sides  ol'  the 
town ;  but  Major  Willard,  who  had  been  dispatched  against 
the  Indians  west  of  Groton,  hearing  of  the  ])robablc  condi- 
tion of  Brookfield,  marched  to  its  relief,  and  succeeded  in 
ellecting  an  entrance  to  the  fortilied  house  on  this  same 
night.  lie  had  with  him  ferty-six  men,  but  it  is  said  that, 
as  they  passed  through  the  ruins  of  the  town,  a  large  num 
ber  of  terrified  cattle,  who  had  not  been  destro^^ed  in  i\ni 
conflagration,  followed  theni  for  protection;  and  that,  in 
the  darkness,  the  Indians  were  deceived  by  this  circum- 
stance, a^  to  the  number  of  the  party,  and  accordingly 
drew  off  their  forces  earl}'  the  next  morning.  They  re- 
tinal to  a  swamp,  twelve  miles  distant,  where  they  met 
Philip  with  a  band  of  his  warriors.  Only  one  of  the  whites 
was  killed  on  this  occasion,  while  the  Indians  lost,  it  is 
said,  nearly  eighty. 

A  garrison  was  maintained  at  the  only  remaining  liouse 
for  some  months,  but  was  finally  drawn  off,  the  building 
Was  burned  by  the  savages,  and  the  town  left  entirely 
desolate. 


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V    '■ 


216 


INDIAN   ItACES   OF   AMEJiiUA. 


CUAPTKU  VI. 

PHILIP  MOVES  WKSTWAKI) — ATTACKS  ON  HAD  ,KY  AND  DEERFIKI-.t — 

GOFFE  THE  REGICIDH DESTRUCTION  uF  LATHltOP's  COMMAND 

ASSAULTS  ON    Sl'HIN(iFIKLU  AND    IIATKIKI.D EXPKDITiOM 

AGAINST  THE  NARKAGANSETTS  :    OUTIiAGEOlJS  CRUEL- 
TIES IN  THKIR  REDUCTION FlIlLTP  ON  THE  HUDSON 

DESTRUCTION  OF  LANCASTER,  MEDFIELD,  SEE- 

KONK,  GROTON,  WARWICK,  MARLHOROUGH, 

ETC. CANONCHKT   TAKEN   AM)    I'UT    TO 

DEATH FURTllKH  INDIAN  RAVAGES. 


'm 


u> 


"All  dii'd — till!  Wiiiliiijj^  babe — the  slirirkiiiiT  maid — 
And  in  tlie  Hood  of  firo  tliat  scathed  the  glade, 
The  root's  went  down." — Bryant. 

"We  can  do  little  more,  in  continuing  tliis  accourt  of 
Indian  ravages,  than  enumerate  the  towns  and  scttlei..ents 
destroyed,  and  the  little  communities  niassacrt'd  or  driven 
from  their  homes  in  utter  destitution. 

The  terrible  uncertainty  whicli  attended  these  calamities 
rendered  them  tlie  more  distressing.  No  one  could  tell, 
for  many  months  from  this  time,  where  Philip  was  to  be 
found,  or  at  wh;tt  point  he  meditated  the  next  attack.  lie 
continued  his  westw:  ,.'  progress,  as  is  supposed,  ne;irly  tc 
the  lIud--on,  tlu'vUigh  he  Mohegan  country.  Jle  was 
thought  to  be  present  at  many  of  the  successful  and  mur- 
derous assaults  that  were  made  upon  the  white  settlements; 
but,  if  so,  he  was  enabled  so  to  disguise  himself  as  not  to 
be  distinctly  recognized. 

Mosely  and  others  in  vain  scoured  the  country  in  pur- 
suit of  the  Indians.  The  enemy,  neglecting  agriculture, 
and  deserting  tlieir  usual  haunts,  concealed  themselves  in 
swam|")S  and  thickets,  retiring  unperceived  at  the  approach 
of  regular  trooj)s,  and  ever  ready  to  take  advantage  of 
any  weak  and  unprotected  quarter. 


NEW  EXGLANJ)   INDIANS. 


217 


Tlie  Indians  in  tlio  vicinity  of  IT;ullf!y  and  SpiiiiLiTirld. 
on  tlio  Connecticut,  wvw  relied  \\\u)]\  by  tlie  ^\■lllles  ii.s 
friendly  and  well-dis{)Oscd;  but  ere  Kmg  it  was  suHicieiitly 
plain  that  tlioy  had  inad(!  coninion  cause  wilh  IMiili]». 

On  the  1st  of  Soj)tcnd)er,  lladh^y  and  I>eerlield  \\ei'e 
both  fiercely  assaulted,  mid  the  latter  town  in  i^reat  iiie;!s- 
ure  destroyed.  At  Jladley  tlie  TiMlians  were  diiveu  oil' 
after  mueli  hard  fightini:'.  The  inhabitants  were  en;^;;;ivd 
in  religious  exorcises  at  the  nieetinu'diouse,  with  ai'ms,  a? 
usual,  by  their  sides,  when  the  Indians  eaine  upon  thein. 
So  sudden  and  desperate  was  the  attack,  that  lhey  liccauie 
confused,  and  might  hav(^  been  totarv  diseomhted,  but  for 
a  strange  and  unlooked-fir  champion.  I'his  was  an  old 
man,  with  white  and  flowing  locks,  and  unusual  et.stunie, 
who  ap})eared  from  some  unknown  (pnrter,  and  at  oneo 
assumed  the  command  of  the  panic-stricken  coi  gr<';jition. 
With  military  skill  and  coolness  he  diivcted  every  ma- 
no'uvri',  and  so  reestablished  iheii*  C(Uilidene'e  and  spirit, 
that  til''  enemy  wfis  speedily  put  to  llight.  He  disappeaivd 
innn(Mliately  after  the  engagement,  and  many  of  the  aston- 
ished inhabitants  were  i)ersua<led  that  an  angel  fi'oni  heaven 
hatl  been  miraculously  sent  l\>r  their  deliverance. 

The  old  wari'ior  was  no  otluu*  than  ^fajor-general  Goi'.b, 
who,  with  his  companion,  Whalley,  lay  foi- a  longtimt>  con- 
cealed at  the  house  of  Mv.  Kusseli,  the  minister  of  Ifadley, 

Ten  men  were  killed  at  Xorthfield  aboet  \\^\^  tina^  and 
a  ])arty  of  thirtj'-sik,  under  a  Captain  V»  s,  who  hiid  been 
scut  to  relieve  the  town,  Avere  nearly  all  cut  otf  by  an 
auibush.  ^J'hc  bodies  were  mutilated,  and  the  heads  srt 
on  jioles.  "One,  (if  not  nior(>,")  says  Hubbard,  "was  found 
with  a  chain  hooked  into  his  under  !  w,  and  .so  hung  up 
on  the  1)ough  of  a  tree,  (it  is  feared  he  was  hung  up  ;ili\  i\") 

Several  thousand  bushels  of  corn  had  been  stored  at 
Deerfield,  and  a  company  of  nearly  one  hundred  young 
men,  "the  flower  of  the  countrv,"  under  the  command  of 


I 


('?^i(iwi 


: .  ^i\ 


!«?, 


248 


INDIAN   RACES  OK  AMKKICA. 


■.\^ 


u» 


a  youtlif'ul  and  ;.;;ill;iiit  o/liccr,  Cnjjlain  Latlirop,  rnaivlieJ 
to  secure  it.  Oil  llicir  wa}'',  an  immense  body  of  Indians 
fi-11  nj)on  tliohi,  and  slew  nearly  llie  Avliole  party;  among 
l!ie  rest,  ilie  brave  cDnmiaiidcr ;  only  seven  or  eiglit  sm-- 
vIvimI.  Tills  defeat  is  attributed  to  the  circumstance  tliat 
Latlirop,  aware  (;f'  tlic;  disadvantages  which  a  com}>act 
b()<ly  of  troops  nrast  labor  undei-,  Avlien  co)itending  with 
an  enemy  who  always  fired  from  cover,  ordered  his  men 
to  separate,  and  take  to  the  trees,  like  their  ojtpoiionts. 
This  being  d(jne,  the  disproportion  of  numbers  provi^l  .so 
great,  tliat  the  Indians  were  enabled  to  surround  the 
Knglish,  and  cut  them  off  separately. 

n'hc  Spriiigfield  Indians  liad  pretended  unbroken  li'iend- 
ship  for  the  whites,  and  had  given  hostages  as  i)ledges  of 
good  faith;  but  the  hostages  succeeded  in  escaping,  and 
the  whoh>  body  joined  the  hostile  confederacy,  with  those 
of  Jfadley,  "hanging  together  like  serpent's  eggs."  '\l\o 
town  of  S})ringiield  received  gi'cat  injury  from  tlM'ir 
attack,  more  than  thii-ty  liouscs  being  burned;  among  the 
rest,  one  containing  a  "brave  library,"  the  finest  in  that 
part  of  the  coantry,  which  belonged  to  tin;  Rev.  IVlaliah 
Glover.  Hubbard  considers  that  this  act  "did,  more  than 
any  other,  discover  the  said  actors  to  be  the  children  of  the 
devil,  full  of  allsubtilty  and  malice,"  as  they  had  been  ujion 
friendly  terms  with  the  whites  for  more  than  forty  years. 

On  the  IDth  of  October,  sevcMi  or  eight  hundred  of 
rhili})'s  Coadjutors  made  an  attemj^t  upon  Hatfield;  but, 
the  place  being  well  defended,  by  !^[osely  and  otheis,  the 
enemy  "were  so  well  entertained  on  all  hands,  that  they 
found  it  too  hot  for  them." 

This  was  the  last  important  engagement  at  the  westward 
part  of  the  colony.  Most  of  rhi]i]t's  men  are  su))jx)scd 
to  have  betaken  themselves,  before  winter,  to  the  Narra- 
guMsett  country;  and  whether  the  great  sachem  himself 
remained  concealed  among  them  during  that  season,  oi 


L^  — -■--. 


:_.J 


(If 'I 


r^ 


rr" 


NEW  ENGLAND    INDIANS. 


2-19 


wfindorcd.  to  the  west,  iKilcliiiig  now  plots  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  IFudson,  is  not  certainly  known. 

The  condition  of"  the  hostile  Indians,  notwithstandin.;^ 
their  signal  successes,  must  by  this  time  have  become 
snlliciently  miserable.  Living  almost  exclusively  upon 
animal  food;  ill  protected  from  the  inclemencies  of  the 
weather;  and  continually  shifting  their  quartei-s,  it  is 
surprising  that  they  should  so  long  have  retained  their 
energy  and  fixedness  of  purpose. 

In  September'  of  this  year,  107"),  the  commissioners  of 
the  united  colonics  of  Plymouth,  Connecticut,  and  ^^assa- 
chnsotts, being  in  session  at  Boston,  concluded  arrangements 
by  which  the  v;ar  should  be  jointly  and  systematically 
piosccut(Hl.  One  thousand  men  were  to  be  levied  and 
cpiippcd;  the  proportion  which  each  colony  should  furnish 
being  settled  according  to  their  comparative  populaticni 
II  nd  ivsourccs. 

On  the  2d  of  Novomb(M'  it  was  agreed,  by  the  same 
li.)dy,  that  an  advlitiom.l  force  should  be  raised,  and  active 
measures  be  taken  against  the  Narragansetts.  The  reasons 
allcdged  for  attacking  this  tribe  were,  that  the  stipulation 
made  by  those  sachems,  who  had  treated  with  the  colonies 
to  deliver  up  all  of  Philij^'s  party  who  should  take  refuge 
at  Narragansett,  had  not  been  fulfilled;  but  that  women, 
ehihlron,  and  wounded  men  had  been  succored  and  received 
by  tluMu!  In  addition  to  this,  some  of  the  tribe  had  ex- 
presstnl  satisfaction  ujion  hearing  of  the  Indian  successes 
at  TIadley,  and  it  was  "credibly  reported''  that  they  had 
killed  and  taken  awav  manv  cattle  from  the  neiu'hboring 
P^nglish.  These,  with  a  detention  of  a  Mr.  Smith  and  his 
family,  for  a  short  time, — no  other  harm  being  done 
the.in, — were  all  the  ostensible  grounds  upon  which  a 
formidable  nrmv  Avas  sent  to  exterminate  the  Narraii'an- 
setts  with  fire  and  swoi'd! 

No  doid^t  their  sympathies  were  with  those  of  their  own 


1 1 


I 


--'^ 


250 


INDI  \N    i;.\('i;S  OK  AMKinCA. 


r;u'c,  aiitl,  linil  llicy  fully  jniiH'(i  tlic  coiisiiirncy,  tlic  addition  ; 
of  so  iiimnToiis  a  trilic  In  tli''  ciiciiiy  iiii;;'lil-  liavc  Inriicd  ' 
lli(' scale,  and  i-csidlcd  in  I  lie  annihilation  ol'tlir  whiles. 

#losias  Winsl-iw,  !j,()\('i'n(ii'  of  I'Kninulh  eo|c.n\,  wns  | 
chosen  edniniandei'-in-eliiel' of  I  he  iMiLilish  llu'ee.  ('hnreli 
al.  the  retinest  ol'  W  inslow  ,  ji  lined  the  exped  it  ion,  allhtinnii  ' 
lie  woidd  not  aeeepl  »•!'  a  comniissioii.  A  consideralilo  ! 
\\ni\\  111'  M(i|ieu,ans,  snlijeets  ol'  I'lieas,  aeconipanied  the  ' 
detaelmienl   IVoni  Conneelient.  | 

.Alter  de.-l  l•oyin^■  many  deseited  wiuwauis,  and  takin;;-;i    ^ 
oonsidei'aMe   nnndier  of  jirisoners  in  dcsnlloi'\'  w  ailinv,  a 


'nide  was  oh 


lained  to  piNil    the   in\aders  to  t 


le  clilel    jolt 


ol'  the  Nan';i;4ansetts.  The  eneani|>nient  coN'ei'ed  li\e  op 
si\  aci'es  o!'  elcNatcil  uronnd,  lorniinL;'  an  island  in  die 
nii('si  iA'  ,111  e\teiisi\-e  swaiiin.  In  addition  to  the  nalni'nl 
iicfcnces  ol'  the  jilae<\  the  w  noli'  \  illa'fe  was  siirfoiinded 
l>y  a  stioiiu'  ]>alisa<le,  and  the  onlv  means  ol'  approaeli 
was  I'y  crossing;'  the  marsh  upon  a  hu!.ve  lalleii  ti'e(>.  The 
Aviiiwanis  wilhin,  \o  the  iiiiMil>er  ol'  live  oi-  six  huiuircd. 
Avcrc  I'ciidered,  to  a  ureal  extent,  linlli'l-pi-oof  l>v  piliii;.;  up 
t  iil>s  (if  Lirain  ami  of  her  stoi-(\'^  al>oui   llic  sides. 


I  was  i;]>on    tln> 


l!Mh   iA'  l)eeemliei',  earlv  in   the  aCler- 


liooii,  that  the  I'arulish  llifces  veaehe(l  IJiis  place  of  i-eti'eat. 
W  itli  d^el^Tinined  and  desperate  eonrai^e  llie\'  laished  to  the 
attack.  l'"i!e  al'ler  lile  tA'  .><old;ers,  with  tlaar  ollieers  at 
their  head,  was  sw(>pt  I'rom  the  narrow  bridLie  l'\'  the  lire 
(if  a  ])ai'ty  within,  jiosli'd  in  a  lo'j  hut,  iVom  w  liieli  the 
njiju'oach  was  commandeih  Tli(>y  contiiuuMl  to  pi-c.^s  on. 
and  succeeded  in  drivini;' tlie  Indians  from  lIiiscoviMl  into 
the  main  inclosure.  A  scene  ol  UM-riMe  eania,!^'e  ensued 
for  several  lioni's:  but  the  assailants  steadilv  i:aine(l  uroniul. 


to  til 


dnviiiL:'  many  o\  the  (mumiiv  into  tlie  swamp,  ami  co\cM'iiil' 
the  area  within  with  dead  h^dit'S. 

Church.  \\  ho  had  made  an  exciiision,  with  a  small  partv, 


into  till'  swani|»,  to  attack  the  Indians  in  the  rcnr,  and  wl 


)    I 


lO. 


NIOW  KNOLANl)  INDIANS. 


2r>l 


jiftc!!'  (loin^  <^(Mn\  Kcrvicc,  was  scvcicly  woiwidcd  in  iho 
tlii;^!),  Sfciii;;  soiiu!  ststlin;^  \\\v.  to  the  \vl;^\v;iiiis,  inmlo 
(itri'i'i nous  ell*  »rts  to  prevent  llicir  dt'stnu'tioii.  Tlii-  u  r;ii  Iht 
Wiis  iiilciiscly  t'oltl ;  iii,ij,lit  \v:is  coining;  on;  luanv  urtlic, 
tiMdps  \\\'\v.  (Icstituti;  ul'  provisions;  u  lienvy  snow  .-Inini 


wjis    ln'oodinsj';  and    sixtrcn    miles  nius 


t    1. 


ra\'erseil   \>y 


tli(5  army,  ene.uml)erud  \)y  tlu'ii*  \vonnde(l,  i)fH>ru  lliey 
could  reaeli  shelter.  He  r('j)rcsonted  all  \\\<'>r,  cireuni- 
stiUieos  to  tlu'  e^ciicral,  pointin;^  out  the  ad\  ;int:i!jes  of 
()l)tainin,L!;  ])leiiti('ul  supplies  ol'  I'ood,  a!id  a  waiiii  eM\cr 
wluM'e  the  wounded  could  recHUVi^  I'eipiisite  atlenliou. 
\\\)  will  hope  that  some  iee!''n,n's  oC  hmnanily  towiirds  the 
uiil'oi'tunate  women  and  childreii,  ".il!!  which  the  huts  were 
crowiled,  lonncil  a  |)art  ol'his  motives  lor  this  ;id\ice. 

'The    general    inclined    to  Church's   counsel,    hut    other 
oHicers,    f'earimr  that  tln^    IiMlians  woidd    I'ldlv  ami   atlnclc 


tl 


imi  in  lorce,  si 


lould   the  a.inv  take  um  their  ouiii'ti'i-: 


dT 


tlic  nmlit,  \('liement 


ly  <'P1 


)osc(j  him,  and   the  wnik  ol 


sii'uctiou  proeee(lc(|.  Now  was  rccuac'ed  the  terrilije  scene 
at  the  li^rt  ol'  the  Pc(p.iots.  (iroat  iiumhcrs  of  old  men, 
women  and  childi'cn  wen;  bui-ned  alivt'  in  the  hla/.iiiu'  u  i,L!,- 
wnms,  or  mercilessly  slain  :n  their  attempts  to  cscnpc. 
lluhhai'd,  the  reverend  histoi'iiin  of  the  indi;in  wais,  spcak.s 
of  this   "iirinij-  of  at   least  live  or  six    1 


M 


'CI 


siiio.'ik'v  ceils,     as  loiiows:     i  i;( 


liid 


lUlKJrcd    ol    tlieir 


laiis  were  aoont    lu'c 


]iariii,L;'  their  dimiei'  when  "oui'  sudden  and  unexpected 
assault  put  tluMu  beside  that,  work',  makiiii!;  their  cook- 
I'ooiu  too  hot  I'oi'  them  at  that  lim(>,  when  they  and  their 
iiiitchin   J'ried  tv)gether;   and  ju-ohably   s<^me  of  them   cat 


tiicii"  suiioers  in  a  colder  place  that 


'PI 


nmlit 


.M 


osl    ol    llieir 


provisions,  as  well  as  huts,  l)eiii^q  then  eousumeil  with  lire 
and  those  that  were  left  alive  forccMl  to  hide  then 


isel\-cs  111 


a  cedar  swamp,  not  I'ar  olV,  wlicre  thev  had  nothing'  to  do- 
lend  them  from  the  cold  but  bou,ij;lis  of  s])ru('e  and  piuG 
trees.'"     The  whole  town  was  reduced  to  ashes;  and,  leav- 


i 

il 


i 


■'  ■■'<» 


w 


»4  t 


1/ 


■■v^ 


i 


T' 


•^li- 


1j| 


r— 


2r)2 


INDIAN   HACKS  OF  A.Mi:UICA. 


ii)fif  tlic  inclosurc  a.  smokinj;^  ruin,  every  where  strewn  with 
buriH'd  and  .nuin.i^'led  c()ri)-<(\s,  tlie  jinny  comuuimiccmI  ji  re 
treat,  worn  out  by  cold,  fatigue  and  lnni.g'cr.  Muny  per- 
ished by  tlio  way,  and  many  more  must  iiave  died  from 
starvation,  but  ft)r  the  njitiiiiate  arrival  at  their  reade/.voud 
of  a  vessel  from  ]*)oston  witli  ]>rovisions. 

Ki.u'hty  of  their  nnmljcr  were  killed,  and  one  hundred 
and  lifty  wounded  in  the  en^-agenient.  1  besides  au  untold 
nund)er  of  llie  ln'lph'ss  oeeupauts  of  the  wigwams  who 
perished  in  the  flames,  it  was  suppos(!d  that  not  far  frcjiu 
three  hundred  Fiidian  warriors  were  slain  ouli'ight,  and 
seven  hundred  wounded,  of  whom  iti;iiiy  (UimI  from  expo- 
sure during  the  storm  and  cold  of  that  t(,'i'riblo  night. 

^fost  of  the  survivors  of  the  lrii)C  fled  to  the  Nij)nuicka, 
after  some  ineonelusive  negotiativ)n  for  peace  with  the  I'aig- 
lish.  ^riie  old  sachem  Ninigret  seems  to  have  been  inclined 
to  mnlco  tci'ms,  but  Canonicus,  or  Canonchet,  a  .-on  of  Mian- 
toninio,  and  a  brave  and  energetic ehief,  luHiiished  ihc  most 
unyielding  hostility  towards  the  destroyer  of  his  ju'Dple. 

On  the  10th  of  Jaiuniry,  an  Indian  was  found  concealed 
in  a  barn,  "but  after  he  was  bi-ought  to  the  luMd-tpiarters" 
(in  the  words  of  Ilubbai'd)  '*he  would  own  nothing  but 
what  was  forced  out  of  his  mouth  by  the  icooldlinj  of  /ua 
head  >r!lJi  a  ivnl,  wherefore  he  was  presently  judged  to  die, 
as  a  Wampanoag." 

One  Tift,  an  Knglish  renegade,  who  had  joined  the  Tn 
dians,  married  one  of  their  women,  and  assisted  them  in 
their  battles  with  the  whites,  was  taken  and  put  to  death. 

Winslow,  in  the  latter  part  of  January,  })ursued  the 
Narragansetts  into  tlie  Nipmuek  country,  whither  they 
had  fled,  committing  divers  dcjiredations  on  the  route,  and 
killed  about  seventy  of  those  whom  he  could  come  up 
with.  The  larger  portion,  however,  succeeded  in  joining 
the  forces  of  the  ]Si})mueks,  while  the  English  were  com- 
pelled to  return  to  the  settlement  for  want  of  ])]-ovisions. 


■  r'li 


r-q 


NEW  KNOIiAXI)    INDIANS. 


zoo 


Vh\U[)  W  supposed  to  liavc  fleil  about  tliis  tiiru,'  as  far 
wost  as  the  Uiulsou  river,  where,  it  i.s  said,  "tin;  Mi)lia;4-.s 
(Mohawk's)  inado  a  descent  iqx)!!  him,  and  killed  iiiai;}- 
of  his  inen,  whicli  moved  him  lioiii  theiiee."  Some  an- 
tliors,  notwithstjiidiiig,  speak  of  him  as  having  been  j)res- 
ciitat  various  j)hieos  in  Massaclmsctts,  attacked  by  Indians 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  winter. 

About  the  loth  ui'  February,  (old  style,)  Lancaster  was 
destroyed  by  u  large  force  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  Nip- 
mucks,  Nashawas,  and  Narragansetts,  under  the  noted 
Sagamore  Sam.  The  house  of  Mr.  Kowlandson,  the  minis- 
ter, which  was  garrisoned,  and  contained  fifty-iive  persons, 
was  set  on  fin;,  and  the  imnates  wei'c  killed  oi'  made  ea])- 
lives,  ^[oie  than  twenty  women  and  childreu  i'ell  into 
the  liands  of  the  assailants.  They  were  most  of  them 
well  treated  during  their  captivity,  the  Indians  "oilering 
no  wrong  to  any  of  their  persons  save  what  they  could 
not  help,  being  in  many  wants  themselves."  ^Irs.  liow 
landson,  wife  of  the  ministtu-,  was  among  the  prisoners, 
and  her  account  of  Indian  manners  and  peculiarities,  wit- 
nessed during  the  three  months  of  her  ca})tivity,  are  ex- 
ceedingly interesting. 

Church  says  that  Philip's  next  "kennelling  place"  was 
at  the  falls  on  the  Connecticut,  and  he  probably  gave  di- 
rections concerning  many  of  the  devastations  connnittcd 
in  February  and  March,  if  not  personally  present  at  them. 

On  the  21st  of  February,  the  town  of  Mcdfield,  only 
about  twenty  miles  from  Boston,  was  mostly  destroyed. 
The  Indians  had  concealed  themselves,  during  the  previ- 
ous night,  in  every  quarter  of  the  place,  and,  at  early 
dawn,  fired  about  fifty  buildings  simultaneously.  One  hun- 
dred and  sixty  soldiers  were  quartered  in  the  town,  but 
so  sudden  and  well  concerted  was  the  attack,  that  it  w:is 
impossible  to  save  the  buildings  which  had  been  set  i>n 
fire.      Nearly  forty  of   the   inhabitants  were    killinl    vi 


il 


i  I 


1 1 


r.j 


r'l 


>i* 


.1  {l 


m 


'.'(■''■■I 


iia- 


H 


^J 


^VvT. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0     !f 


I.I 


1.25 


2.5 


I!:  i;^  1 2.0 


111= 

1.4    ill  1.6 


6" 


V 


<^ 


/}. 


^ 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


\ 


•sj 


•lb 


o 


9> 


V 


o^ 


-  *  * 


f 


2,-l: 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMEKICA. 


■-4' 

I  ;.;'•  i.- 


tl» 


woiiiiiloJ.  Being  compelled,  at  last,  to  retreat  across 
Ciiiu'les  river,  the  Indians  burned  the  bridge  behind  them, 
aiii  I  left  a  paper,  written  bj  some  of  their  nundjer  who  had 
received  education  from  the  Kn^-lish,  to  the  followincr 
cil'oct:  "Know,  bj  this  paper,  that  the  Indians  whom  thou 
hast  |)rovoked  to  wrath  and  anger,  will  war  this  21  years 
if  you.  will.  There  are  many  Indians  yet.  We  come  300 
at  this  time.  You  must  consider  the  Indians  lose  nothing 
but  their  life:  You  must  lose  your  fair  houses  and  cattle." 

One  account  states  that  Philip  himself  was  seen  at  this 
action,  "riding  upon  a  black  horse,  leaping  over  fences, 
and  exulting  in  tiie  havoc  he  was  making." 

Through  the  months  of  February  and  ^farch,  the  sav- 
ages met  with  signal  success.  Seekonk,  Groton  and  War- 
wick were  destroyed;  Northampton  was  assaulted;  one 
house  was  burned  in  the  very  town  of  Plymouth,  and  a 
number  of  buildings  at  Weymouth,  only  eleven  miles  from 
Boston,  shared  a  similar  fate.  Thirty  houses  were  burned 
at  Providence.  Captain  Pierce,  of  Scituate,  who  had  been 
sent  with  a  party  of  fifty  whites  and  a  number  of  friendl}' 
Indians  on  an  excursion  against  the  enemy,  was  slain, 
with  the  entire  company  of  English.  Only  a  few  of  the 
Indian  alli,es  escaped. 

On  the  same  day,  Marlborough  was  destroyed,  with  the 
exception  of  the  houses  which  had  been  garrisoned.  This 
attack  was  probably  made  by  Philip  himself,  with  the 
Nipmuck  and  Narragansett  Indians.  Continuing  their 
march,  they  did  much  damage  at  Sudbury,  and  "met  and 
swallowed  up  valiant  Captain  Wadsworth  and  his  com- 
pany," consisting  of  fifty  men,  with  whom  he  was  hastening 
to  the  relief  of  the  town. 

One  of  the  first  severe  reverses  experienced  by  Philip, 
was  the  capture  and  execution  of  the  younger  Canonicua 
or  Canonchet,  the  noblest  and  most  influential  of  the  Nar- 
ragansett sachems.     This  was  accomplished  by  a  party 


■^^ 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


255 


M 


It'll  hj  Captain  Dennison,  from  Connecticut,  consisting  of 
Kiiglisli,  Nehantic  Indians,  subject  to  Ninigrct,  and  Molie- 
gaiis,  under  tlic  command  of  Owenoco,  son  of  I'ncas. 
' 'aiioiicliet,  witli  a  small  band  of  warriors,  came  to  Narra- 
gaiisctt  early  in  April,  for  tlie  i>urposc  of  procuring  seed- 
coi'n  for  liis  people  in  the  -western  settlements.  Dennison, 
liaving  heard,  from  a  captive  squaw,  of  the  sachem's 
proximity,  pursued  and  took  him. 

The  proud  chief,  upon  his  capture,  being  addressed  by 
a  young  man  of  the  party,  according  to  Hubbard,  "look- 
ing, with  a  little  neglect  upon  his  youthful  face,  replied  in 
broken  English:  'you  much  child:  no  understand  matters 
of  war;  let  your  brother  or  your  chief  come:'  acting  herein 
as  if,  by  a  Pythagorean  metempsychosis,  some  old  Roman 
ghost  had  possessed  the  body  of  this  western  Pagan."  lie 
was  carried  to  Stonington,  and  there  shot:  his  head  was 
sent  to  Hartford  as  a  trophy.  lie  approved  his  sentence, 
saying  that  "he  should  die  before  his  heart  was  soft,  and 
before  he  had  spoken  any  thing  unworthy  of  himself" 
He  had  been  Philip's  faithful  ally  to  the  last,  and  ever 
refused  to  "deliver  up  a  "Wampanoag,  or  the  paring  of  a 
Wampanoag's  nail,"  to  the  English.  Dennison  and  his 
men  afterwards  made  farther  spoil  of  the  enemy,  killing 
and  capturing  a  large  number  of  the  Narragansetts. 

During  the  months  of  April  and  May,  twenty  or  thirty 
buildings  were  burned  in  Plymouth ;  Taunton  and  Scituate 
were  attacked,  and  Bridgewater  sustained  no  small  injury 
from  an  assault  by  three  hundred  Indians,  under  the 
sachem  Tisguogen. 

Great  numbers  of  hostile  Indians  having  congregated  at 
the  falls  of  the  Connecticut,  during  the  month  of  May,  for 
the  purpose  of  fishing,  a  strong  force  of  soldiers  and  inhab- 
itants of  the  towns  on  the  river,  under  the  command  of 
Captains  Holyoke  and  Turner,  made  a  descent  upon  them. 
The  Indians  were  encamped  in  careless  security,  and,  the 


L; 


'i 


'I 


r: ':::!. 


'mm 


>■■* 

•  1''  i 


\' 

'I  \ 

\           "  1  ^  >        •            Jm  T  1 

,         --•/''<« 

\!  'h^^im 

'"f'j^^ 

. ,  Vvv 

.'i  "• '-  "^ 

K  VJ  ''t. 

^^'l^:y^ 

•  •^''^iMimM 

'"■;<■•  Wffil 

<   ;'^*'i^i 

'  -     --  •''trt^aH 

■i*     >iTOl 

.>     'mmtM 

.'  '"'^IHB 

^'''^iM 

..iiJH 

*->  {^''^H 

mM 

m 


i«« 


256 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


attack  being  made  in  tlic  night,  some  two  hundred  wore 
killed,  or  drowned  in  attempting  to  eseape  across  tlic  river. 
In  the  midst  of  this  success  it  was  repoited  to  the  English, 
by  VAX  Indian,  that  Philip  m  person,  with  an  immense 
force,  was  coming  U[)on  them.  Commencing  a  retreat, 
upon  this  news,  the  Indians  recovered  from  their  panic, 
and  pursuing  the  party  from  which  they  had  so  recently 
fled  in  confusion,  killed  from  thirty  to  forty  of  their  number. 
On  the  30th  of  ^fay,  six  hundred  Indians  attacked 
natfield,  and  burned  many  buildings,  but  the  place  was 
bravely  defended,  and  the  enemy  was  driven  ofl",  A  still 
larger  number,  about  a  fortnight  later,  assaulted  Iladley, 
but,  by  the  assistance  of  tro(j})s  from  Connecticut,  the  iu 
habitants  successfully  repelled  them. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Philip's  return  to  pokanoket — major  talcott's  successes — 
church  commissioned  by  the  court  at  plymouth his  in- 
terview with  awoshonks  :  with  the  sogkonates  at 
sandwich his  cabipaign  against  the  indians 

PHILIP    seen:     his    wife    and    son    TAKEN 

DEATH  OF  WEETAMORE,  QUEEN  OF  POCAS- 
SET DEATH  OF  PHILIP. 

Philip's  power  was  now  upon  the  decline :  his  forces 
were  discontented,  and  in  separate  bodies  wandered  about 
the  country,  undergoing  much  hardship  and  privation. 
Losing  influence  with  the  river  Indians,  and  unable  to 
concentrate  the  various  tribes,  with  effect,  he  returned  to 
his  old  quarters  in  the  vicinity  of  Narragansett  bay,  ac- 
companied by  the  trusty  warriors  who  still  adhered  to  him. 

Afajor  Talcott,  from  Connecticut,  with  a  body  of  mounted 
men,  accompanied  by  many  Mohegans  and  Pequots,  sig- 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


257 


nalizccl  himself  during  the  month  of  June,  by  several 
incursions  into  Narragansctt.  On  a  single  occasion,  he 
killed  a  great  number  of  the  enemy,  and  took  from  one  to 
two  hundred  prisoners.  To  the  everlasting  disgrace  of 
the  -whites  of  this  company,  they  allowed  their  Mohegan 
allies,  upon  one  occasion,  to  torture  to  death  a  young 
warrior  who  was  made  prisoner.  "The  English,"  says 
Hubbard,  "at  this  time  were  not  unwilling  to  gratify  their 
humor,  lest,  by  a  denial,  they  might  disoblige  their  Indian 
friends — partly,  also,  that  they  might  have  an  ocuhtr 
demonstration  of  the  savage,  barbarous  cruelty  of  the 
heathen."  This  young  warrior  had  killed,  as  he  averred, 
many  Englishmen,  and  now,  the  narrative  proceeds,  "this 
mojister  is  fldlen  into  the  hands  of  those  that  Avill  i'Q.\)i\j 
liirn  seven-fold." 

The  Mohegans  cut  round  the  joints  of  his  fmgera  and 
toes  successively,  and  then  "brock  them  off,  as  was  for- 
merly the  custom  to  do  with  a  slaughtered  beast."  The 
victim  bore  all  unflinchingly;  replying  to  their  taunts, 
with  asseverations  that  he  "liked  the  war  well,  and  found 
it  as  sweet  as  the  Englishmen  do  their  sugar."  They 
compelled  him  to  dance  and  sing  in  this  condition,  till  he 
had  "wearied  himself  and  them,"  and  then  broke  his  legs. 
Sinking,  in  silence,  ou  the  ground,  he  sat  till  they  finished 
his  miseries  by  a  blow.  ^Meanwhile,  the  English  stood  by, 
and,  although  the  sight  brought  tears  into  the  eyes  of 
some  of  them,  none  offered  to  interfere. 

Famine,  disease,  and  exposure  had,  by  this  time,  begun 
to  do  their  work  upon  the  miserable  outcasts  who  had  so 
long  kept  New  England  in  terror. 

A  large  body  fled  westward,  pursued  by  troops  from 
Connecticut,  and,  after  sustaining  considerable  loss,  sue 
ceeded  in  joining  the  Mohicans  of  the  Hudson,  "wdth  whom 
they  united,  and  formed  thereafter  a  portion  of  that  tribe 

The  colonial  authorities  now  offered  terms  of  ])eaco  to 
17 


I, 


' '  '--i 


=^•71 


258 


INDIAN  KACES  OP  AJIERICA. 


'   I  ■  'i 


<»l: 


|i« 


the  enemy,  prorris^ing  good  treatment  to  all  who  «houla 
surrender  and  deliver  up  iheir  arms,  with  the  exception 
of  notorious  ofFendeis.  Within  a  few  weeks  from  this 
proclamation,  five  or  six  hundred  of  the  Indians  came  in 
and  submitted  to  the  KngHsli.  Some  of  their  chiefs,  and 
noted  warriors,  and  those  who  had  been  chiefly  concerned 
in  the  outrages  upon  the  settlements,  were  put  to  death; 
the  others  had  lands  assigned  them;  were  disarmed,  and 
kept  under  the  surveillance  of  overseers. 

As  Church  took  so  prominent  a  part  in  the  final  reduc- 
tion of  Philip  and  his  chief  sachems,  we  will  now  brielly 
review  his  proceedings  during  this  summer  until  the  death 
of  Philip  and  the  close  of  the  war.  Ue  had  been  sum- 
moned to  Plymouth  in  the  spring,  to  assist  at  the  council 
of  war,  and,  at  that  time,  proifered  advice,  which,  if  ap- 
proved by  his  associates,  might  have  saved  much  havoc 
and  bloodshed.  His  plan  was  to  "  make  a  business  of  the 
war,  as  the  enemy  did;"  to  employ  large  forces;  to  enlist 
all  the  friendly  Indians  who  were  available,  and  to  pursue 
their  opponents  into  their  own  country,  and  light  them  in 
their  own  manner.  Not  being  able  to  persuade  the  au- 
thorities to  his  views,  he  remained  inactive,  with  his 
family,  at  Duxbury  and  on  Pliode  Island,  until  early  in 
June,  when  he  again  betook  himself  to  Plymouth,  where 
he  was  gladly  welcomed  by  the  general  court,  then  in 
session.  The  members  "told  him  they  were  glad  to  see 
him  alive.  He  replied,  he  was  as  glad  to  see  them  alive, 
for  he  had  seen  so  many  fires  and  smokes  towards  their 
side  of  the  country,  since  he  left  them,  that  he  could 
scarce  eat  or  sleep  with  any  comfort,  for  fear  they  had  all 
been  destroyed.  For  all  traveling  was  stopped,  and  no 
news  had  passed  for  a  long  time  together." 

The  court  had  now  concluded,  according  to  Church's 
plan,  to  raise  a  large  force  of  English  and  Indians,  and 
eagerly  accepted  the  captain's  offer  of  cooperation.     He 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


259 


waa  to  return  to  Rhode  Island,  and  there  enlist  a  company 
for  the  campaign,  lieaching  Elizabeth's  Island,  he  could 
find  no  conveyance  homeward  other  than  a  canoe,  manned 
by  two  Indians.  Their  course  took  them  near  Sogkonate 
(commonly  called  Seaconnet)  point,  the  wild  mass  of 
rocks  which  juts  into  the  ocean,  at  the  southern  extremity 
of  Awoshonk's  domains.  Church  saw  some  of  the  Indians 
fishing  upon  the  rocks,  and  bethought  him  that  here  might 
be  further  opportunity  of  communicating  with  his  old 
friend,  the  squaw  sachem.  Notwithstanding  her  early 
counsel  with  Church,  she,  or  her  people,  against  her  incli- 
nations, had  been  drawn  into  Philip's  plans,  and  the 
Sogkonatcs  had  taken  active  part  in  the  hostilities. 

The  canoe  was  soon  hailed  from'  shore,  but  the  surf  beat 
so  heavily  against  the  rocks  that  the  reply  could  not  be 
heard.  Two  Indians,  one  of  whom  was  George,  the  inter- 
preter, therefore  came  out  upon  a  long  point  of  sand, 
where  Church  could  land  without  danger  of  being  surprised, 
and,  on  his  approach,  they  informed  him  that  Awoshonks 
had  left  Philip,  and  would  be  glad  to  have  a  conference 
with  him.  An  appointment  was  therefore  made  for  a 
meeting,  on  the  next  day  that  the  weather  would  permit, 
at  a  well-known  rock,  upon  the  Richmond  farm.  None 
were  to  be  present  except  the  queen,  her  son  Peter,  and 
Nompash,  an  Indian  known  to  Church. 

Arriving  at  Newport,  and  detailin;^  his  plans  to  the 
authorities,  they  pronounced  him  demented  to  think  of 
risking  himself  unprotected  among  such  a  body  of  the 
enemy.  He  replied  that  he  had  always  wished  for  an 
opportunity  to  confer  with  the  Sogkonatcs,  not  doubting 
but  that  he  could  secure  their  friendship,  and  that  he  was 
determined  to  prosecute  the  adventure. 

He  accordingly  crossed  over  the  next  day,  to  the  place 
appointed,  accompanied  only  by  "his  own  man,"  and  the 
Indian  who  had  paddled  him  from  Elizabeth's.     He  was 


I: 


lU  '-/Id 


.'Ahm. 


2(30 


IXDTAN    ]{A<JES  OK  AMERICA. 


'W,|ii^ 


ir; 


liA 


fnct  by  tuc  quccii  and  the  otluT  two,  wlio  had  Leon  desig- 
nated; but,  upon  retiring  a  sliort  distance,  to  a  convenient 
spot  for  discussion,  a  crowd  of  armed  and  jniintod  war 
riors  sprang  up  from  amid  tlic  long  grass  ai'ouud  tiiem. 

Church  betrayed  no  signs  of  sur})rise  i)\'  fear,  but,  having 
first  obtained  directions  from  Awoshonks  that  tlie  Lidiims 
should  hiy  down  tlieir  guns,  ho  pulled  out  a  bottle  of  rum, 
and  opened  the  conference  by  proifering  her  a  dram,  ask- 
ing, "if  she  had  been  so  long  at  Weetuset  as  to  forget  to 
driidc  Oceapeches."  Having  first  swallowed  some  him- 
self, from  the  hollow  of  his  hand,  to  quiet  any  suspicions 
of  treachery  that  she  might  entertain,  he  distributed  the 
rest,  together  with  some  tobacco  that  he  had  brougiit, 
among  those  standing  by.  He  then  answered  her  inquir- 
ies as  to  the  reasons  why  he  had  al)sented  himself  so  l^^"o) 
using  all  his  powers  of  ^^ersuasion  to  revive  her  old  friend- 
ship for  the  English ;  promising  i'avor  and  ])rotection  from 
the  government,  if  she  would  enl'  r  >r  forces  against 
Philip;  and  by  his  bold  and  frank  !  jarior,  disarming 
the  suspicions  and  softening  the  surliness  of  the  warriors. 

At  one  time,  as  related  by  Church,  "there  arose  a  mighty 
murmivr,  confused  noise  and  talk  among  the  fierce-looking 
creatures;  and,  all  rising  up  in  a  hubbub,  a  great  surly- 
looking  fellow  took  up  his  tomhog,  or  Avooden  cutlass,  to 
kill  Mr.  Church,  but  some  others  prevented  him." 

This  man  had  lost  a  brother  in  the  fight  at  Punkatcse, 
but  Church  explained  how,  Avith  only  a  handful  of  men, 
he  had  been  suddenly  set  upon,  and  how  his  intentions 
were,  even  then,  friendly  to  the  Sogkonates. 

His  counsels  finally  prevailed,  and  it  was  agreed  that 
an  oft'er  of  services  should  be  made  at  Plymouth,  in  be- 
half of  the  tribe;  five  men  being  chosen  to  accompany 
Church  on  the  embassy. 

Having  returned  to  Ehode  Island,  and,  with  much  dif 
ficulty,  procured  a  vessel.  Captain  Church  set  sail  foT'  Sog- 


4/.       ' 


inOW  ENGLAND    INDIANS. 


261 


kontile,  wlicTico  .ho  TruViaiis  ospicd  him,  and  stood  waiting:; 
upon  the  rocks  with  an  old  cunoo,  ready  to  cotnc  on  hoard. 
The  sea  ran  so  liij^'h  that  no  onehnt  Peter  Awoshonks  was 
able  to  reach  the  vessel ;  and  when,  after  much  dang(;r  and 
trouble,  he  was  taken  in,  a  strong  head  wind  prevented 
the  pros(>cution  of  the  voyage,  and  all  returned  to  New- 
port, making  the  circuit  of  lihodc  Island. 

Church,  after  this  delay — the  arrival  of  the  army  at 
Pocasset  being  shortly  expected — was  unwilling  to  leave 
the  Island,  and  accordingly  sent  Peter  back  to  Sogkonato, 
with  directions  to  take  the  selected  number  of  his  com- 
panions, and  proceed  across  the  conntry  to  Plymouth,  witli 
letters  for  the  governor. 

The  Plvmouth  forces  reached  Pocasset,  under  command 
of  ^Fajor  Bradford,  and,  having  been  joined  by  Church, 
marched  to  Punkatese.  Awoshonks  and  most  of  her  war- 
riors, having  been  notified  to  attend,  came  to  this  place, 
and  })roifered  their  services;  but,  to  their  great  grief  and 
disa[)pointment,  were  ordered  to  repair  to  Sandwich,  on 
the  coast  to  tlic  eastward,  and  await  fnrthcr  directions 
from  tlie  government  at  Plymouth.  Church  advised  them 
t:  comply  quietly,  and  promised  to  join  them,  himself 
within  a  week,  with  a  connnission  to  employ  them,  if  he 
could  obtain  it. 

During  the  ensuing  week,  according  to  the  opinion  of 
some,  an  opportunity  was  lost  of  surprising  and  destroy- 
ing nearly  the  whole  of  Philip's  remaining  force,  who  had 
gone  to  Wcpoisct,  in  search  of  clams;  provisions  being 
very  scarce  with  them. 

Captain  Church,  with  only  one  companion,  rode  from 
Rchoboth  to  Plymouth,  starting  at  sunset,  and  reaching 
the  town  carlv  in  the  morning.  He  there  saw  the  ixov 
eruor,  who  had  received  the  messengers  from  Rogkonate 
with  favor,  and  who  readily  jiromised  him  the  desired 
commission,  and  i-atificd  his  agreement  with  AAVoshonks. 


l: 


f.(.  > 


'•'■I 

•id 


i^m 


1 

1 

|M 

&.V 

2t?2 


INDIAN  RACKS  OF  AMKUICA. 


i 


Not  fiiuliiig  tlic  Iiidiuiis  lit  Sandwich,  Captain  Church, 
with  u  low  coni[)anioiiH,  ])rocecdccl  alon<^  the  coast,  and 
liiially  came  uj)on  the  whole  tribe,  scattered  over  the  level 
sand-beach,  eiigage(l  in  various  occupations  and  divi-r- 
sions — "^V  vast  company  (j1'  Indians,  oi'all  ages  and  sexes, 
some  on  horse-back  I'unning  races,  some  at  loot-ball,  sonic 
catching  eels  an,l  Ihit-lish,  some  elamining,  iSoc." 

lie  was  received  by  Awoshoid<s  and  her  chiefs,  and 
royally  entertained.  \Vlu>n  night  came  on,  an  innnense 
heap  of  dry  })ine  branches  aiul  other  fuel  was  set  on  liri' 
and  all  the  hulians,  gathering  round  it,  commenced  those 
dances  and  ceremonies  deemed  by  them  so  essential  in 
cementing  a  league,  or  in  entering  upon  any  important 
adventure. 

A  stout  chief  would  step  within  the  circle,  armed  with 
sjiear  and  hatchet,  and  appear  to  fight  the  lire,  with  every 
gesture  and  expression  of  energy  and  fury,  naming  .suc- 
cessively the  several  hostile  tribes;  ";uu],  at  the  naming  of 
every  particular  tribe  of  Indians,  he  would  draw  out  and 
light  a  new  lire-brand,  and  at  liiiishing  his  light  with  each 
particular  fire-brand,  would  bow  to  him  and  thank  him." 
lie  would  then  retire,  and  another  would  repeat  the  same 
operation,  "with  more  fury,  if  possible,  than  the  lirst." 

Awoshonks  and  the  chiefs  told  Church  that  hereby  they 
were  his  sworn  soldiers,  and,  one  and  all,  at  his  service. 
lie  therefore  selected  a  number  of  them,  and  took  them  to 
Plymouth  the  next  day,  where  he  was  regularly  commis- 
sioned, by  Governor  Winslow,  to  raise  volunteers,  both 
English  and  Indian;  to  fight  the  enemy  at  his  discivtion; 
and  to  make  treaty  and  cowiposition  with  any,  as  he  should 
see  reason,  "}irovided  they  be  not  murderous  rogues,  or 
such  as  have  been  principal  actors  in  those  villanies."  The 
commission  was  given,  under  the  public  seal,  the  24th  day 
of  July,  1676. 

Being  uow  furnished  with  a  sufficient  force,  and  being 


NKW  KN'(lLANl)    INDIANS. 


203 


at  liberty  to  curry  out  liis  own  plans,  Cliurcli  comiiiciK'od 
a  vigorous  juid  cH'cctivo  ciiiniKiii^ni.  Spreading  through 
the  Torost  with  hi.-i  iiifii,  krcjiiiiu;  himself  contiiuially  in- 
Ibrmed  by  scouts  of  the  pftsitiou  and  iiutuber  of  thi*  eno- 
iny,  and  I'oHowin^  up  his  advantages  with  unwearied 
eueri^y,  he  reduced  his  opponents  to  tlio  .greatest  straits. 
The  army,  under  Ib-adlbrd,  remained  at  Taunton  and  vi- 
cinity, cutting'  olf  Phihp's  I'cturu  from  the  castwai'd,  while 
Churcli  aiul  his  cor})S  scoured  the  woods,  surprising  and 
killing,  or  taking  captive  large  numbeis  of  hostile  Indians. 

On  one  occasion,  he  fell  in  with  Little  Myes,  the  Sog- 
konale  who  attem])ted  to  make  way  with  him  at  tlu'  lii'st 
interview  with  AwoshoidvS,  and  who  had  separ;itt'd  from 
the  rest  of  tla^  tribe  with  a  lew  com])anions.  llis  Indian 
allies  urged  Church  to  take  this  oj)];)ortunitv  for  revenging 
himself,  but  he  refused,  and  showed  the  iiid'riendly  chief 
qiiai'ter  .and  })rotection. 

riiili})  and  his  })ai'ty,  chiedy  Narragansetts,  anxious  to 
cll'cct  a  retreat  to  the  Narragansett  country,  came  to  tho 
baidvs  of  Taunton  river,  and  felled  a  large  tree  over  the 
stream  for  the  pui'posc  of  crossing.  At  this  spot,  Church 
with  his  company  and  a  detachment  from  Bridgcnvater, 
attacked  him,  on  the  1st  of  August.  As  the  Knglish 
secretly  a])proaclied  the  fallen  tree,  a  single  warrior  was 
seen  seated  upon  the  stump  across  tho  river,  and  as  Church 
was  taking  aim  at  him,  one  of  his  Indian  followers  called 
to  him  not  to  fire,  thinking  that  it  was  a  man  of  tlieir  own 
party.  At  this  moment  the  Indian  sprang  from  the  stump, 
and  effected  his  csca}ie  down  the  river-bank,  but  as  lie 
turned  his  fiicc,  ho  was  distinctly  recognized  to  be  Philip 
liimself. 

The  whole  body  of  the  enemy  then  scattered  and  fled 
through  the  woods,  but  succeeded  in  effecting  a  passage 
of  the  river  at  a  ford,  some  distance  beyond;  hotly  pur- 
sued by  the  English.     Many  women  and  children  were 


L; 


i  1- 


1 1 


I  ! 


i  > 


•  ';]■  'i 


.-mm 


■1    ■■<rv'. 


,  1, :, !..<•; 


'^^tll 


I;      V'f 


I  i!  f , 


/.^^ 


.1 

I 


p 


,1 

.1 


'  "l 


204 


INDIAN  ItACKS  OF  AMERICA. 


cni'.tnrcfl;  atriong  tlio  rest,  Philip's  wife,  "Wootoiickiimiskc, 
and  his  son,  a  lad  only  nine  years  of  age.  The  Sogkon- 
ati'S,  following  elosely  upon  the  fugitives,  killed  several, 
and  made;  thirteen  prisoners. 

As  the  flight  was  eontinue(l,  the  women  and  ehildreu 
bi^eauio  wearied,  and,  being  unable  to  keep  paee  with  the 
eonipany,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  ])iirsuors.  They  wen; 
ordered  to  follow  the  trail,  and  were  assured  that,  if 
submissive  and  obedient,  tliey  should  be  the  more  I'avor- 
ably  treated. 

IMiilip,  and  liis  band,  being  suddenly  surpris(Ml,  while 
they  were  busily  engaged  in  preparing  breakfast,  l\vd  into 
a  swamp,  leaving  "iheir  kettles  boiling,  and  nu>at  roa.<l.  g 
upon  tla^ir  wooden  s[)its."  Hei'e  they  were  hemmcil  in, 
and,  i\i'U)v  some  liaj'd  lighting,  no  less  than  one  hnndml 
and  S(n'cntv-three,  ineluding  those  who  had  lollowed  the 
party,  as  direeted,  were  taken  j)risoners  oi'  kilK'tl.  A 
large  division  of  these  were  so  sur])rised  and  panie-sti'iiek 
by  the  nuiid)er  and  determination  of  the  pursuers,  tiial 
they  "stood  still  and  let  the  English  eonie  jind  take  the 
guns  out  of  their  hands,  when  they  were  both  ehaiged  and 
coeked."    Philip,  and  some  of  his  jH'ineipal  ehiefs,  esea])ed. 

The  prisoners,  having  been  well  supj)li(,'d  witli  fooil, 
were  confined  in  the  pound,  at  Bridgewater,  and  passed 
the  night  in  meri'irnent,  expressing  little  despondenc}-  or 
api)rehension.  They  rejiorted  Phili])'8  condition  and  frame 
of  mind  as  being  miserable  in  the  extreme.  Mis  wife  ami 
son  made  prisoners;  his  fillies  overpowered,  or  treacher- 
ous; reverses  coming  thick  upon  him;  and  his  force 
dwindling  to  a  handful  of  warriors,  nothing  but  destruction 
seemed  to  await  him. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  Weetamore,  queen  of  Pocasset, 
and  widow  of  Alexander,  Philip's  eldest  brother,  who 
tluoughout  the  war  had  been  a  most  valuable  and  faithful 
coadjutor  to  her  brotliei--in-law,  perished  in  attempting  to 


_-.-i 


NKW  ENGLAND    INDIANS. 


205 


■n 


CHoapo  over  tlio  Tcliticut  river,  into  lur  own  country,  upon 
:t  raft.  She  had  lircii  smprised,  with  twenty-six  of  her 
Hiihjects,  wlio  were  all  taken  prisoners.  The  (had  hody 
of  the  poor  (pieeii  was  found  .^(■irL-  imLrd^  uair  the  riirr 
hail/,;  where  she  had  probably  erouehed  half  ilrowned,  and 
died  from  exposure  and  famine.  Her  head  was  cut  olV  by 
those  who  discovered  her,  and  lixed  u[)ou  a  i)oK;  at  Taun- 
ton, whei'e  it  was  reeoyni/cd  by  some  of  her  loving 
subjects  kept  there  in  captivity.  Their  burst  of  unre- 
Htrainable  grief  at  the  sight,  is  eharacterixed  by  blather,  as 
"a  most  horrid  and  diabolical  himentation." 

Church  rctui'ned  to  IMymoulli,  where  he  received  the 
tlianks  and  gratuhitions  of  the  authorities,  but  ■was  allowed 
little  rest,  as  some  of  tlu'  enemy,  under  the  great  sachem 
Totoson,  werelui'kitig  ai'ound  Duitmoutli,  and  his  aid  was 
I'eipiired  to  dislodge  them.  'I'he  expt'dition  was  successful, 
but  Totoson,  with  an  ohl  squaw  and  his  little  son,  escaped. 
The  squaw  afterwards  came  to  Sandwich,  and  rejtorted  the 
chief's  death,  saying  that,  "relle<!ting  upon  the  miserable 
condition  he  had  brought  himself  into,  his  heart  became  u 
stone  "within  him,  and  he  died."  She  said  that  she  had 
covered  his  body  Avith  a  i'cw  leaves  and  brush. 

W'of^i  out  by  hard  service,  hard  hire,  and  e\])osure, 
Captain  Chuixjli  now  sought  to  recruit  his  strength  liy  rest; 
but,  being  urged  by  the  goveiument  to  pursue  rhili})4ito 
the  death,  and  receiving  pi'omises  of  satisfaction  for  ibiiner 
neglect,  he  marched  to  Poeasset  with  a  company  of  \olun- 
tcers,  and  thence  crossed  over  to  Ilhode  Island. 

He  there  visited  his  wife,  whom  he  had  left  at  a  Mrs. 
Sandf)rd's,  and  ^\']\o  fainted  with  surprise  and  joy  at 
meeting  him  alive;  but  hardly  had  the  lirst  givetings 
been  exchanged,  when  tidings  came  ])()st  that  iMiillp  was 
to  be  found  at  his  old  ([Uarters  in  Mount  Hope  neck.  The 
liorvs  u])on  which  (Jhuix-h  and  his  comp)am"ons  had  just 
arrived  utood  at  the  door;  and,  telling  Mm.  Church  that 


■P! 


i  I 
1 1 


:..  •'  ' 

,.   .  '■,.',(.1': 

,' 

•'. '■ :  ''"^  ■ 

,  ( 

1 

-  'rJI^-^ 

■r> 

'^imKtm 

n>  „  si. 


.;i.    Ml  ;^_ 


266 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


"she  must  content  herself  with  a  short  visit  when  such 
game  was  ahead,"  tliey  all  mounted  and  spurred  off. 

They  learned  from  the  deserter  who  had  brought  the 
intelligence,  that  Philip  was  encamped  upon  a  spot  of  dry 
land  in  a  swamp  hard  by  the  mount;  and  Church  being 
well  acquainted  with  the  locality,  lost  no  time  in  taking 
advantage  of  his  information.  He  crossed  the  ferry  with 
his  )nen,  and  ai)proached  the  spot  during  the  night. 
Haying  distributed  a  portion  of  the  force  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  ccjmrnand  all  the  places  where  the  enemy  would  be 
likely  to  attempt  escape,  another  detachment  undei-  Captain 
Golding,  proceeded  to  "beat  up  Philip's  l.ead-quarters;" 
with  directions  to  make  all  the  noise  possible,  while  pur- 
suing the  fugitives,  that  they  might  be  known  by  those 
who  lav  in  ambush. 

The  Indians,  startled  by  the  first  fire,  rushed  into  the 
swamp,  with  Philip  at  their  head.  Half  clothed,  and 
flinging  his  "petunk"  and  powder-horn  behind  him,  the 
doomed  chief  came,  at  full  speed,  fully  within  range  of  the 
guns  of  an  Englishman  and  an  Indian,  who  lay  concealed 
at  one  of  the  points  of  ambuscade. 

The  white  man's  gun  snapped,  but  the  lire  of  his  com- 
panion was  fatal.  Philip  fell  upon  his  face  in  th'6  mire, 
shot  through  the  heart.  This  event  took  place  early  in 
in  the  morning  of  Saturday,  the  12tli  of  August,  1676. 

Thus  the  main  object  of  the  campaign  was  accomplished: 
but  most  of  the  hostile  party  managed  to  escape.  Among 
them  was  the  old  chief,  Annawon,  a  great  captain  under 
Philip,  and  Massasoit,  his  father.  He  "seemed  to  be  a 
great  surly  old  fellow,"  hallooing,  with  a  loud  voice, 
"lootash — lootash!"  Peter,  Church's  man,  said  that  he 
was  calling  on  his  nfen  to  fight  bravely,  and  hold  their 
ground. 

Several  of  Church's  Indians  dragged  the  body  of  poor 
Philip  out  of  the  mire,  "and  a  doleful,  great,  naked  beast 


it 


Tt'T'^' 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


267 


he  looked."  By  tlie  direction  of  the  captain,  who  averred 
that,  having  "caused  many  an  Enghshman's  body  to  be 
unburied  and  to  rot  above  ground,  not  one  of  his  bones 
should  be  buried,"  one  of  the  Indians  beheaded  and  quar- 
tered the  body  of  the  fallen  sachem,  as  was  the  custom 
towards  traitors.  The  old  executioner,  who  was  ap})ointed 
to  this  office,  first  made  a  short  speech,  which,  but  that  it 
was  rather  more  coarsely  expressed,  might  remind  one  of 
the  exultation  of  the  heroes  of  Homer  over  a  conquered  foe. 
However  far  removed  from  that  absurd  and  morbid 
sensibility  which  perceives  greater  tokens  of  depravity  in 
an  indignity  otYered  to  a  senseless  carcass  than  in  acts  of 
cruelty  and  injustice  towards  the  living,  we  do  not  care  to 
defend  this  act  of  Church.  One  of  Philip's  hands,  which 
had  been  formerly  marred  by  the  bursting  of  a  pistol,  was 
given  to  Alderman,  the  Indian  who  shot  him.  The  ex- 
hibition of  it  proved  a  source  of  no  small  profit.  The  head 
was  long  exposed  at  Plymouth,  and  the  devout  Mather 
exults  in  having,  with  his  own  hand,  displaced  the  jaw 
from  the  scull  of  "that  blasphemous  leviathan." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

PURSUIT  OF  ANNAWON  AND  HIS  PARTY DATING  PROCEDURE  OP 

CAPTAIN  CHURCH END  OF  THE  WAR,  AND  FINAL  DISPOSAL 

OF  PRISONERS SUMMARY  OF  THE  COLONIAL  LOSSES. 

After  the  death  of  Philip,  the  company  returned  to 
Plymouth,  and  received,  as  premium  for  their  services, 
thirty  shillings  for  each  Indian  killed  or  taken. 

Toward  the  end  of  August,  Church  was  again  called 
from  Plymouth  to  go  in  pursuit  of  Annawon,  who,  with 
the  feeble  remains  of  his  force,  was  scouring  the  country 


ii^iiii 


J:'« 


),  K- 


■  1 


•■    f 


m 


MM 


■  i::.T 


;l 


■,vi'  ■-"  ■^' 


J     •S 


If 


u* 


4 

'4' 


1 


li 


I  I 
i  ! 


M 


I  ! 


268 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


iiroimd  Ilehohotli  nul  S^v:lllSC3^  ITc  accordingly  took  a 
few  faillirul  soldioi'S,  witli  lii.s  brave  and  tried  lieutenant, 
Jaliez  llowland,  and  hastened  through  the  woods  to  To- 
casset.  lie  inlended  ])assiiig  the  Sabbath  on  Rliode  Tshuid. 
but  hearing  that  Indians  had  been  seen  crossing  from 
]'j'ud(niee  Island  to  l\:)])i)asquasli  neck,  he  hastened  at 
once  in  (piest  of  them.  As  they  were  passing  the  river 
in  canoes,  so  lieavy  a  gale  sprung  up  that,  after  the  captain 
and  fifteen  or  sixteen  Indians  were  over,  the  boats  could 
no  longer  venture.  Without  waiting  for  their  English 
companions,  this  little  company  marched  round  through 
the  northern  part  of  the  jiresent  town  of  Ijristol,  and 
sju'cading  across  the  narrow  j)ortion  of  the  neck,  sent 
scouts  to  ascertain  the  jiosition  of  the  enemy.  '^I'hey  there 
passed  "a  ycry  solitary,  hungry  night,"  having  no  jtrovi- 
sions.  I'larly  in  the  nuu'ning,  Nathaniel,  an  Indian  of  the 
pcouting  party,  n])peared,  and  told  how  he,  with  his  com- 
panion, had  taken  ten  pi'isoners,  by  lying  concealed,  and 
attraetinir  the  enemies'  attention  by  howling  like  a  wolf. 
One  after  another,  they  wouUl  run  to  see  Avhat  caused  the 
noise,  ami  Nathaniel,  "howling  lower  and  lower,  drew 
them  in  between  those  who  lay  in  wait."  They  afterwards 
securcMl  the  wives  and  ehildrcu  of  these  captives,  all  of 
Avhom  said  that  Annawon  never  "  roosted  twice  in  a  place," 
but  eontinually  shifted  his  quarters.  They  represented 
Annawon  as  the  bravest  and  most  subtle  of  all  I'liilip's 
warriors,  and  said  that  the  men  who  still  adhered  to  hini 
were  valiant  and  resolute. 

An  old  Indian,  aceoinjianied  by  a  young  squaw,  were 
next  taken,  both  ol'  wlu  .  had  come  direct  from  the  great 
c'liicf's  eneampmiMit,  which  was  in  Squannticonk  swamp, 
in  tlic  soiuh-eastcrly  part  of  IJehoboth.  The  old  man,  in 
consideration  that  his  life  was  s])are(l,  agreed  to  pilot 
Cliurch  to  the  spot,  lint  bogged  that  he  might  not  be  com- 
pelled "to  light  against  Captain  AnnaAVon,  his  old  friend." 


IL:. 


f 


■i^r-try^ 


> 


NEW  ENGLAND   INDIANS. 


2r.9 


It  v\%as  a  bold  act,  indeed,  on  tlic  part  of  Cliurcji,  to  under- 
take llie  capture  of  sucli  a  warrior,  witli  so  snuill  a  force; 
lor,  liavinc:^  b(,'en  obliged  to  send  some  back  with  the 
prisoners,  only  half  a  dozen  Indians  now  aeconipauiid 
him.  lie  was  not  a  nian  to  let  sli[)  an  ojjportunity,  and 
started  at  once  for  tlic  camp,  having  nuieh  ado  to  keep 
pace  with  the  hardy  old  Indian  v/ho  led  the  way. 

Annawon's  "camp  or  kennelling  place,"  was  })itched 
in  a  recess  in  a  ledge  of  precipitous  rocks,  which  stood 
upon  a  rising  ground  in  the  swamp,  and  the  only  Avay  to 
approach  it  unperceivcd  was  by  ckunbering  down  the  cliff. 
It  was  night  when  Churcli  ari-ived  there;  stopping  the 
guide  with  his  hand,  ho  crawled  to  the  edge  of  the  rock, 
and  looked  down  upon  the  scene  below.  Annawon's  hut 
coiisistc(l  of  ti  tree  felled  against  the  wall  of  rock',  with 
birch  bushes  piled  against  it.  Fires  were  lit  without,  over 
which  meat  waa  roasting  and  kettles  were  boiling,  and  the 
light  revealed  several  companies  of  the  enemy.  Their 
anna  were  stacked  together,  and  covered  with  a  mat,  and 
in  close  proximity  to  them  lay  old  Annawon  and  his  so»r 
An  old  squaw  was  pounding  corn  in  a  mortar,  and,  as  the 
noise  of  her  blows  continued.  Church,  preceded  by  the 
guide  and  his  daughter,  and  followed  by  his  Indian  allies, 
let  himself  down  by  the  bushes  and  twigs  which  grew  in 
the  crevices  of  the  rock.  AVith  his  hatchet  in  his  hand, 
he  stepped  over  the  younger  Annawon,  who  drew  himself 
into  a  hea])  with  his  blanket  over  his  head,  and  reached 
the  guns.  The  old  chief  sat  up,  crying  out  "  llowoh!"  but, 
seeing  that  he  was  taken,  lay  down  again  in  silence.  The 
rest  of  the  company  made  no  resistance,  supposing  that 
the  English  were  upon  them  in  force.  Church's  Indians, 
going  among  them,  enlarged  upon  his  benevolence  and 
kindness,  and  advised  them  to  submit  quietly,  which  they 
did,  delivering  up  all  their  arms. 

Annawon  ordered  his  women  to  get  supper  for  Cap'uiji 


ii 


II 


•  i 


IBil 


:'  ■  f! 

•■i-^ 

(ml  , ~. . 


i  I 


:_.:.:  J 


r 


•I 


1  ^'! 


il 


H* 


270 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


Clmrcli  and  liis  men,  cind  tliey  all  supped  together  in  har- 
mony. The  Caj)tain,  wearied  out  by  long  watching  and 
labor,  now  tried  to  get  a  little  sleep,  but  was  unable  to 
compose  himself.  Looking  round  he  saw  the  wliolc  i)arty, 
friends  and  foes,  sleeping  soundly,  with  the  exceptitjn  of 
Annawon;  and  there  lay  the  two  rival  leaders,  looking  iit 
each  other  for  near  an  hour. 

Annawon  then  got  up  and  retired  a  short  distance,  and, 
as  he  did  not  immediately  return.  Church  suspected  tluit 
he  might  have  secured  a  gun,  with  intent  to  dispatch  him, 
and  tlierefore  crept  close  to  young  Annawon,  as  security. 
The  old  man  soon  reappeared,  bringing  with  him  Philip's 
regalia,  and,  kneeling  down  before  Church,  to  his  great 
surprise,  addressed  him  in  English:  " Great  captain,  you 
have  killed  Philip  and  conquered  his  country;  for  1  believe 
that  I  and  my  company  are  the  last  that  war  against  the  Eng- 
lish, so  suppose  the  war  is  ended  by  your  means,  and  there- 
fore these  things  belong  to  you."  He  then  handed  him 
two  broad  belts  elaborately  worked  in  wampum,  one  of 
which  reached  from  the  shoulders  nearly  to  the  ground, 
"  edged  with  red  hair,  from  the  Mahog's country ;"  two  horns 
of  powder,  and  a  red  cloth  blanket.  He  said  that  Philip 
used  to  ornament  himself  with  these  upon  great  occasions. 

All  night  long  the  two  captains  continued  their  con- 
verse, and  Annawon  detailed  his  adventures,  and  "gave 
an  account  of  what  mighty  success  he  had  formerly,  in 
wars  against  many  nations  of  Indians,  when  he  served 
Asumequin  (Massasoit),  Philip's  father." 

The  next  day  the  party  proceeded  to  Taunton,  and 
Church,  with  Annawon  in  his  company,  went  to  Rhode 
Island,  and  so  on  to  Plymouth.  There,  to  his  great  sor- 
row, the  authorities  refused  to  spare  the  old  chief,  but  put 
him  to  death.  At  the  same  time  they  executed  Tispaquin, 
the  last  of  Philip's  great  sachems,  who  had  surrendered 
himself  upon  promise  of  mercy. 


I'wrr-m; 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


271 


The  war  was  now  at  an  end,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  "hunting  excursions,"  after  some  stragglers  of  Philip's 
men  who  yet  lurked  in  the  woods.  Such  of  the  pi'isoners, 
now  in  the  hands  of  the  English,  as  had  been  active  in 
hostilities,  were  put  to  death :  the  rest  were  sold  in  slavery 
in  the  colonics,  or  sent  to  toil  in  the  West  Indies.  It  was 
much  discussed  whether  the  poor  boy  who  was  so  culpa- 
ble as  to  be  the  son  of  Philip,  should  die.  The  clergymen 
seemed  inclined  to  the  belief  that  such  should  be  his  fate; 
Increase  Mather  cited  the  case  of  Iladad,  saying  that, 
"had  not  others  fled  away  with  him,  I  am  apt  to  think 
that  David  would  have  taken  a  course  that  Hadad  should 
never  have  proved  a  scourge  to  the  next  generation."  He 
was  finally  sent  a  slave  to  Bermuda. 

Baylies  thus  sums  up  the  disasters  of  the  eventful  period 
of  Philip's  hostilities:  "In  this  war,  which  lasted  but  lit- 
tle more. than  a  year  and  a  half,  six  hundred  Englishmen 
were  killed.  Thirteen  towns  in  Massachusetts,  Plymouth, 
and  Ilhode  Island,  were  destroyed,  and  many  others  greatly 
injured.  Almost  every  flimily  had  lost  a  relative.  Six 
hundred  dwelling-houses  had  been  burned.  A  vast  amount, 
in  goods  and  cattle,  had  been  destroyed,  and  a  vast  debt 
created.  But  the  result  of  the  contest  was  decisive;  the 
enemy  was  extinct;  the  fertile  wilderness  was  opened,  and 
the  rapid  extension  of  settlements  evinced  the  growing 
prosperity  of  New  England." 


Lb 


'^ 


►  t 


'I      i:i: 


'■-.It 


I 


,1 


il 


^'-^¥. 


.  1 

t 


l! 


272  INDIAN  lUCES  OF  AMEIUCA. 


0  II  A  ri  I'll    IX. 

TIIK     KASTK';\     l.NDf.WS TH)'.!!!      J"!!  (i;N  D ',y     nrsi'DSITICiN SI'.IZTM!  K 

OF  TiiosR  nriM.i;' ATCD  i\  riiiLii'"s  coNsi'iitArv — riJK.NCii  a.nd 

INDIAN   \V.\n    OV    K')^',) ATTACK    ON    rOCHKCO — MIMJDKU 

oi"    MAJoii   \VAi,T)i;oN — wAii    OF    170'^ — cinjiicii's 

LAST     CAJIPAICN — WAl!     OF     IT'J'J CAPTAIN 

JO  [IN   LOVKWKI.L. 

The  services  of  Caplain  Beiijaniin  Cliurch,  in  tlic  eavlj 
Indian  canijviigns,  did  not  end  witli  the  death  of  J'hilip 
and  the  ivdiirtion  of  the  hostile  tribes  nnitcd  Ijv  that  (.liirf 


h 


in  eninity  airainsL  the  eolonists.     Jn  the  war  \\\ 
Avards   bi'olce  out  witli   the    Iiahans  of   New   I 


ilcil 
1, 


rier- 


lllj)Sllll't> 


jj    -and  Maine,  the  ohl  soklier  was  again  called  u[k>\\  tt>  la!< 


!!    the  field 


I  ! 


I  I 


I 


Our  accounts  of  the  earlvhistorv  of  these  Eastern  li'ilics 
are  not  very  voluiuiiious  or  tionnected.  Some  di'seiiplioii 
is  given,  in  (.^iptain  John  Smith's  narrative,  of  the  gov- 
ernnierit  and  division  of  tin:  nations  and  tribes  on  the  coast; 
and,  in  subsequent  times,  tales  of  noted  saganntres  and  wuv- 
riors,  with  detached  incidents  of  adv<Miture,  arc  not  v;ai;t- 
inir  in  interest. 


The  first  [■'inglisli  settlers  in  ^faine  and  New  IIani| 


V-^liMi.^ 


had  little  to  complain  of  in  the  treatment  the}'  iv'iixcil 
from  the  aboriuinal  inhabitants:   according:  to  II 


nljDai't 


Kver  since  the  fu'st  settHuLr  of 


any 


English  pi 


anl 


11)11 


in  those  jnirts  about  Eeimebeck,  fur  the  space  of  .'ibout, 
fifty  years,  the  Indians  always   cari'ied  it  iaii',  and  laid 


II 
il 


II 
ii 


raMVS  c:!iiic     1 1 


j     good  correspondence  with  the  J^higlish,  until  the 
I     of  Philip's  rebellion  and  I'ising  against  the  inliabilauts  of    j 
!     Plimonth  colony  in  the  end  of  »Jnn(^,   1()75;  aftci-  which    | 
time  it  was  appi'chended  b}^  such  as  had  the  examination    | 
of  the  Indians  about  Kennebeck,  that  there  was  a  gi'nciai 
surmise   amongst  them  that  they  should  be   r"::''rL(l  to    j 


t'j\n.  ] 


)i  NJA.Aii.N   C)irj;cii. 


1,  ;,^ 

'.    ) 

I 


i'ii 


U» 


asi 

:;  ti. 

ij    of 
;     fee 

i       COl 

i     the 

j:  m 

II  we: 

ij  tlie 

I  ex:' 

j  nee 

\\  wci 

ij  hai 

I I  ^ 

:!  ^y 

J I   cam 

Frei 

witl: 

the 

Succ 

the 

Bare 

aboi 

invo 

the  ( 

depr 

A 

ity,  ^ 

P.yin 
part3 
to  St 
tore' 
(iron. 


il  I 


NEW  ENGLAND   INDIANS. 


273 


assist  til.  suid  Philip,  althougli  tlicy  would  not  own  that 
they  were  at  all  engaged  in  the  quarrel." 

AVhen  Philip's  forces  were  destroyed  or  dispersed,  many 
of  them  took  refuge  at'  the  East,  and  the  search  for  and 
seizure  of  these  served  to  arouse  and  keep  alive  hostile 
feelings  which  might  otherwise  have  slumbered.  By  the 
contrivance  of  Major  Waldron,  a  noted  cluuactor  among 
the  first  settlers  at  Co';heco  (afterwards  Dover),  in  New 
Hampshire,  some  four  hundred  Indian'"  of  various  tribes, 
were  decoyed  into  the  power  of  the  colonial  troops  by 
the  pretence  of  a  sham-fight  exhibition.  They  were  then 
examined,  and  all  who  were  adjudged  to  have  been  con- 
nected with  the  war,  to  the  number  of  over  two  hundred, 
were  sent  to  Boston,  where  eight  or  ten  of  them  were 
hanged,  and  the  rest  were  sold  as  slaves. 

Many  scenes  of  depredation  and  bloodshed  are  described 
by  historians  of  those  early  times  previous  to  the  regular 
campaigns  of  1689,  and  the  years  ensuing,  against  the 
French  and  Indians.  During  the  war  of  1675-6,  connected 
with  Philip's  conspiracy,  the  most  important  affairs  were 
the  burning,  by  the  Indians,  of  the  towns  of  Casco  and 
Saco.  Under  the  administration  of  Sir  Edmund  Andross, 
the  conflicting  claims  to  territory  in  Maine,  between  the 
Baron  of  St.  Castine  and  English  proprietors,  brought 
about  a  war  in  which  the  neighboring  Indian  tribes  were 
involved.  With  their  usual  success,  the  French  excited 
the  eastern  Indians  to  espouse  their  cause,  and  a  series  of 
depredations  upon  the  English  colonists  ensued. 

At  Cocheco  (Dover),  Major  Waldron  was  still  in  author- 
ity, with  a  considerable  force  under  his  command,  occu- 
pying five  fortified  buildings.  In  the  summer  of  1689,  a 
party  of  Indians  planned  an  attack  uj)on  this  post,  as  well 
to  strike  a  signal  blow  in  behalf  of  their  white  allies,  as 
to  revenge  the  former  wrong  done  to  their  friends  by  Wal- 
dron. The  English  considered  themselves  perfectly  secure, 
18 


'     '  «l  IB 


*  '  ;     .  'I    1 


i 


Ci 


'  .■  t   ■' 

i'  ■  • 

m ,  : 

M* 


•♦il 


27-4 


INDLU^f   RACES  OF  AMEIUCA. 


and  kept  no  watch — a  circumstance  which  had  been  ob* 
served  by  the  enemy.  On  tlie  '27th  of  June,  two  squaws 
obtained  k^ave  to  sleep  in  each  of  the  garrisoned  '•  -si's. 
During  the  niglit  tiiey  rose  quietly,  unbarred  <'  )ors, 
and,  by  ap[)ointed  signals,  announced  to  the  wan,  ^rs  lurk- 
ing without  that  the  time  was  propitious  for  an  attack. 

The  English  were  completely  overpowered,  fifty-two 
were  killed  or  carried  away  captive;  among  the  former 
was  Afajor  Waldron.  The  old  warrior  (he  was  eighty 
years  of  age)  defended  himself  with  astonishing  strength 
and  courage,  but  was  finally  struck  down  from  behind. 
Bruised  and  mangled,  he  was  placed  in  a  chair  u}jon  a 
table,  and  the  savages,  gathering  round,  glutted  their  long- 
cherished  vengeance  by  cutting  and  torturing  the  hel])less 
captive.  He  was  in  bad  odor  with  the  Indians  for  having, 
as  they  allcdged,  defrauded  them  in  former  trading  trans- 
actions. It  was  reported  among  them  that  he  used  to 
"count  his  fist  as  weighing  a  pound,  also  that  his  accoants 
were  not  crossed  out  according  to  agreement."  Placed  as 
above  mentioned,  upon  a  table,  some  of  them  "in  turns 
gashed  his  naked  breast,  saying,  'I  cross  out  my  account.' 
Then  cutting  a  joint  from  his  finger,  would  say,  'Will 
your  fist  Aveigh  a  pound  now?'" — {Drake's  edilion  of 
GhurMs  Indian  War^^)  ^.^hey  continued  these  cruelties 
until  he  fainted  from  loss  of  blood,  when  they  dispatched 
him.  It  is  said,  by  the  above  author,  that  one  of  the 
squaws,  to  whom  was  assigned  the  duty  of  betraying  Wal- 
dron's  garrison,  felt  some  compunction  at  the  act  of  treach- 
ery, and  endeavored,  ineffectually,  to  warn  the  command- 
ant by  crooning  the  following  verse : 

"Oh,  Major  Waldo, 
You  great  sagamore, 
O  what  will  you  do, 
Indians  at  your  door!" 

In  September  of  this  year  (1689"^  Captain  (now  styled 


::;r:-^ 


1 


" 


NEW  ENGLAND  INDIANS. 


275 


Miijor)  Church  was  corninisaioncd  by  the  authf)ritios  of  tlio 
ll^nitcd  Colonics  to  prosecute  the  war  in  Maiiu',  and  he 
saiicd  accordingly  with  his  forces  for  Caaco  Bay.  He  had 
with  hiin  two  hundied  and  fifty  volunteers,  Kn<^lish  and 
friendly  Indians,  and  two  companies  from  Massachusetts. 
His  .irrival  was  seasonable,  as  a  hirge  [)arty  oC  Indians 
and  French  was  ascertained  to  be  in  the  vicinity,  intend- 
ing to  destroy  the  phace.  Some  smart  skirmishing  took 
place  upon  the  succeeding  day,  but  the  enemy  iinally 
drew  off. 

When  afterwards  ordered  home  witli  liis  troops,  Church 
bestirred  himself  to  bring  about  some  action  on  the  part 
of  the  government  for  the  more  eiTectual  protection  of  the 
unfortunate  inhabitants  of  Casco  (the  country  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  present  town  of  Portland),  but  in  vain;  and  in 
the  ensuing  spring  the  whole  district  was  I'avaged  by  tlio 
enemy.  The  English  settlers  at  the  East,  after  the  fevent, 
no  longer  dared  to  remain  exposed  to  attacks  of  the  sav- 
ages, and,  deserting  their  homes,  collected  at  the  fortified 
post  at  Wells,  in  the  south  of  Maine. 

Church's  second  eastern  expedition,  in  September,  1690, 
was  against  the  Indian  forts  on  the  Androscoggin.  AVith 
little  resistance  he  drove  off  the  occupants,  released  several 
English  captives,  and  took  prisoners  several  members  of 
the  families  of  the  noted  Sachems  Warombo  and  Kanka- 
magus.  A  number  of  Indian  prisoners  were  brutally  mur- 
dered by  the  successful  party ;  but  two  old  squaws  were 
left  to  deliver  a  message  to  their  own  people  that  Captain 
Church  had  been  there,  and  with  him  many  Indians  for- 
merly adherents  of  King  Philip ;  and  to  report  further,  as 
a  warning,  what  great  success  he  had  met  with  in  the  war 
against  the  great  sachem.  Word  was  also  left  that  if  the 
fugitives  "had  a  mind  to  see  their  wives  and  children,  they 
should  come  to  Wells'  garrison."  With  respect  to  the  mas- 
sacre of  prisoners  on  this  occasion,  we  are  left  to  infer  that 


1  .1 


'''&4 


ii 


i>H 


m'F'^ 


r 


i\ 


.^ 


'i\ 


276 


INDIAN  RACI<:S  OF  AMKIIICA. 


a  porti(")n  oP  tliom,  at  least,  consistcilof  loomm  andchlllrm 
Tlio  old  narmtivf"  li(>r(i  a.s  clscwhoiv  is  rather  blind,  and 
dcific'ient  in  detail,  bnt  if  the  faets  were  as  above  HUgge.sted, 
the  whole  history  of  th(^se  Indian  wars  dof^s  not  present 
a  more  revolting  instanee  of  eold-bloodcd  barbarity.  That 
the  act  was  done  by  Chnreh's  orders,  or  that  it  was  conn- 
tenaneed  by  him,  seems  utterly  inerediblc  Avlien  compared 
with  his  usnal  eonrse  towards  prisoners.  Of  one  man, 
who  was  captured  in  the  taking  of  Warond)o's  fort,  it  is 
said:  "The  soldiers  bcnng  very  rude,  would  hardly  spare 
the  Indian's  life  while  in  examination;"  and  it  is  possi])l() 
that  they  might  have  e^minitted  the  wanton  butchery 
above  mentioned  without  their  commander's  eoncurreiuH'. 
A\''c  would  not,  however,  endeavor  to  screen  the  guilty; 
and  if  Church  is  to  be  held  responsible  for  the  murder, 
it  certainly  must  leave  a  black  and  indelible  stain  upon 
bis  chara(^ter. 

From  the  plundered  fort  Church  proceeded  to  Casco, 
where  he  engaged  the  enemy,  and  beat  them  off,  but  not 
without  the  loss  of  aboitt  thirty  of  his  own  men  in  killed 
and  wounded. 

Tn  August,  1(592,  Church  was  again  commissioned  by 
Sir  William  Phipps  to  undertake  an  expedition  against 
the  Indians  at  Penobscot;  and,  although  he  failed  to  sur- 
prise the  enemy,  who  escaped  in  their  canoes,  he  destroyed 
a  quantity  of  their  provision,  and  brought  away  a  consid- 
erable amount  of  plunder. 

A  force,  sent  into  Maine,  in  1693,  under  Major  Convers, 
was  opposed  by  none  of  the  natives,  and,  within  a  short 
time  after,  these  miserable  people  were  glad  to  conclude  a 
treaty  of  peace  with  the  English  at  Pemmaquid,  where  a 
strong  fort  had  been  er&^.ted  in  1690.  At  this  negotiation 
the  hostile  tribes  delivered  hostages  as  a  security  that  they 
would  cease  depredations  and  renounce  their  allegiance  to 
the  French.     Many  of  them  were,  notwithst.'iiiding,  in- 


lort 
le  a 

1 

re  a 

1 

tion 

1 

hey 

1 

;e  to 

1 

ill- 

1 

NEW  ENOLANP  INDIANS. 


277 


duccd  to  join  the  iiivusujii  muler  M.  do  Villicrc,  in  llu; 
followiiij^  yoiir. 

fii  tliis  eiimpaign,  tho  first  object  wuh  tlio.dtistruction  of 
tho  settlement  on  Oyster  river,  near  Hover,  New  Ilaiiii)- 
shin?,  where  twelve  houses  iuid  been  garrisoned  and  put 
in  a  state  of  defenef!.  I^'ivc  of  these  wtM'c  fo'ved,  a!id 
nearly  one  hundred  persons  were  killecl  or  UxkvM  [)risontMs; 
the  other  stronj^liolds  made  a  sueeessful  defeiiee,  but  fif'tfcu 
unprotected  houses  were  bui'iied.  Notliiiijf  of  special 
iutei'cst  occurred  in  eonnt'ction  with  the  Kast(>rn  Indians 
from  this  time  until  1(11)6.  Durin<(  the  summer  of  tli;it 
year,  some  blood  was  shed  by  the  savages  at  Portsmouth 
and  Dover;  but  the  most  important  occurrence  of  the 
season  was  the  reduction  of  the  strong  fort  atremmaqiiid 
by  the  enemy.  Church  was  also  engaged  in  another  east- 
ern campaign  in  the  months  of  August  and  September, 
but  owing  to  orders  received  from  the  colonial  authorities, 
he  was  imjHided  in  the  prosecution  of  his  plans,  and  noth- 
ing of  special  moment  was  ell'ected. 

In  January,  1(){)9,  the  war  with  the  1^'reneh  being  at  an 
end,  tho  Indians  of  Maine  and  New  llani])shirc  entei'cd 
into  a  treaty  of  peace  with  the  English  colonies — acknowl- 
edging, by  their  principal  sachems,  allegiauce  to  the  King 
of  Kn gland. 

AVhen  wai'  was  again  declared,  in  May,  1702,  the  old 
difficulties  with  the  Indians  were  speedily  renewed.  Gov- 
ernor Dudley,  of  Massachusetts,  endeavored  to  preserve 
peace  with  these  tribes,  and  concluded  a  negotiation  with 
many  of  their  chiefs,  at  Casco,  in  June  of  the  following 
year.  I^his  aj)pears  to  have  been  a  mere  blind  on  the  part 
of  the  savages,  then,  as  ever,  favorable  to  the  French;  for 
only  a  few  weeks  subsequent  to  the  treaty,  a  simultaneous 
attack  was  made  upon  the  eastern  English  setthnuents. 
Every  thing  fell  before  the  enemy;  houses  were  burned, 
property  of  every  kind  was  destroyed  or  plundered,  and 


.-^tr'-. 

<•■     ^'■.i.9k^■ 

J 

''/:■*# 

:-:Ui 


!  ':M 


I- 


w%.. 


, .  ■:ii 


f '!' 


■l! 


4 


:^» 


278 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


one  hundred  and  thirty  of  the  inhabitants  were  slain  or 
ca})tLired. 

'^riic  news  of  the  terrible  calamities  attendant  on  the 
destruction  of  Deerficld,  in  the  winter  of  1708-4,  combined 
with  what  he  had  himself  witnessed  of  Indian  crnwltios, 
incitetl  Major  Church  to  volunteer  his  further  service.", 
against  the  enemy.  "His  blood  boiled  v/ithin  him,  mak- 
ing such  impulses  on  his  mind  that  he  forgot  all  former 
treatments,  which  wore  enough  to  hinder  any  man,  espe- 
cially the  said  Major  Church,  from  doing  any  furtlun"  ser- 
vice." His  offers  were  gladly  accepted,  and  a  very  con- 
siderable force  was  put  uiider  his  command,  with  a  good 
su])])ly  of  whale-boats,  the  necessity  for  which  he  had  seen 
in  former  campaigns  along  the  irregular  and  indented 
coast  of  Maine. 

This  was  the  last  military  duty  undertaken  by  tlic  old 
soldier,  and  it  was  performed  with  his  usual  skill  and 
energy.  Tbe  Indian  towns  of  Minas  and  Chignecto  wei'c 
taken,  and  the  enemy  was  successfully  engaged  at  oilier 
points.  The  most  noted  event  of  the  expedition  was  tlic 
night  attack  at  Passamaquoddy.  In  the  midst  of  the  ecjn- 
fusion  incident  to  the  marshalling  of  disorderly  and  undis- 
ciplined troops,  an  order  was  issued  by  Church  for  the 
destruction  of  a  house,  and  of  its  inhabitants,  who  had 
refused  to  surrender.  In  his  own  words:  "I  hastily  bid 
them  pull  it  down,  and  knock  them  on  the  head,  nevei*  ask- 
mg  whether  they  were  French  or  Indians — they  being  all 
enemies  alike  to  me."  In  a  note  to  this  transaction,  j\[r. 
Drake  says:  "It  does  not  appear,  from  along  career  of 
useful  scrviees,  that  Church  was  ever  rash  or  cruel.  From 
the  extraordinary  situation  of  his  men,  rendered  dou1)ly 
critical  by  the  darkness  of  the  night,  and  the  almost  cei-- 
tain  intelligence  that  a  great  army  of  the  enemy  were  at 
hand,  is  thought  to  be  sufficient  excuse  for  the  measure." 
The  major,  in  his  own  account,  adds:  "I  most  certainly 


','• 

''!' 


NEW  EXGLAND   INDIANS. 


279 


know  tliat  I  was  in  an  exceeding  great  passion,  luit  not 
witb  those  poor  miserable  enemies;  for  I  took  no  notice 
of  a  half  a  dozen  of  the  enemy,  when  at  the  same  time  I 
expected  to  be  engaged  wiih  some  hundreds  of  them. 
*  *  In  this  heat  of  action,  every  word  that  1  then  spoke 
I  cannot  give  an  acconnt  of;  and  I  presume  it  is  impossi- 
ble." Quarter  was  shown  to  all  who  came  out  and  sub- 
mitted, upon  requisition. 

From  the  close  of  the  war,  and  the  conclusion  of  peace 
with  France,  in  1713,  until  1722,  there  was  little  to  disturb 
the  eastern  frontier,  further  than  some  contentions  between 
the  colonists  and  Indians  arising  out  of  disputed  titles  to 
land.  A  Frenchman  named  Ralle,  of  the  order  of  Jesuits, 
resided,  in  1721,  among  the  Indians  at  Nori'idgewock,  and 
being  suspected  by  the  English  of  exerting  a  ^^crnicious 
influence  over  his  flock,  a  part}?"  was  sent,  by  the  Massa- 
chusetts government,  to  seize  upon  his  person.  Ralle 
escaped,  and  the  undertaking  only  hastened  hostilities. 

Indian  depredations  soon  commenced,  and  war  was 
regularly  declared  by  Massachusetts.  For  three  years  the 
Ironticr  settlements  suffered  severely.  The  English  suc- 
ceeded in  breaking  up  the  principal  head-quarters  of  the 
enemy,  viz:  at  the  Indian  castle  some  distance  up  the 
Penobscot,  and  at  the  village  of  Norridgewock. 

At  the  taking  of  the  latter  place,  Ralle,  with  from  fifty 
to  a  hundred  of  his  Indian  comrades,  perished. 

One  of  the  most  noted  among  the  English  campaigners 
during  this  war,  was  the  famous  Captain  John  LovcAvell,  of 
Dunstable.  Ilis  adventures,  and  particularly  the  fight  at 
Pigwacket,  on  the  Saco,  in  which  he  lost  his  life,  were 
widely  c':'obrated  in  the  rude  verse  of  the  times. 

This  engagement  was  the  last  important  event  of  the 
war;  the  Indians  were  greatly  reduced  in  numbers,  and, 
when  no  longer  stimulated  and  supported  by  the  French, 
were  incapable  of  any  systematic  warlii-ce  operations. 


Lzrz 


II 


I   I 


'^^  '^  ^;  ^s 


\ 


{#1 


P 


I ; 


li 


THE  IROQUOIS,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

GENERAL    OUTLINES    OF    CHARACTER.    ETC. — BtPRKSSIONS    OF    THE 

INHABITANTS  OF  NEW  ENGLAND  RESPECTING  THE    IROQUOIS — 

GARANGULA  :    HIS  SPEECH  TO  M.  DE  LA  BARRE. 

None  of  the  Indian  nations  of  the  United  States  have 
occupied  a  more  important  place  in  our  national  history, 
than  the  renowned  confederacy  which  forms  the  subject  of 
our  present  consideration. 

Various  New  England  tribes  were  reduced  to  a  disgraceful 
tribute  to  the  imperious  Mohags,  Mawhawks,  Mohawks  or 
M aquas;  the  great  nation  of  Powhatan  stood  in  awe  of  the 
warlike  Massawomekcs ;  and  those  associated  in  this  power- 
ful league  had  become  a  terror  to  all  against  whom  they  had 
lifted  up  their  arms.  They  were  called  Iroquois  by  the 
French,  who  found  their  head-quarters  on  the  St.  Law- 
rence, where  Montreal  now  stands,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
seventeenth  century.  Their  native  appellation  was  Aga- 
nuscliioui  (variously  spelt  and  translated),  and  they  were 
divided  originally  into  five  tribes.  These  were  the  Mo- 
hawks, the  Oneidas,  the  Cayugas,  the  Onondagas  and  the 
Senecns.  The  Tuscaroras,  from  the  south,  were  afterwards 
united  with  them,  and  formed  the  sixth  nation.  Each 
tribe  was  sub-divided  into  classes,  distinguished  by  the 
"totems,"  or  symbols  of  the  tortoise,  the  T)ear,  the  wolf, 
the  beaver,  tlie  deer,  the  falcon,  the  plover,  and  the  crane. 


THE  IROQUOIS,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


28i 


Some  very  singular  usages  were  connected  with  tliis  class- 
ification. Among  other  things,  marriage  was  prohibited 
between  individuals  bearing  the  same  totem,  a  restriction 
which  operated  strongly  to  extend  the  ties  of  family  con- 
nection. Each  of  the  nations  was  divided  in  the  same 
manner,  and  the  distinctive  badge  gave  its  bearer  peculiar 
privileges  among  those  of  his  own  class,  when  away  from 
home. 

The  first  military  exploits  recorded  of  the  Iroquois,  with 
the  exception  of  native  tradition,  are  their  battles  with 
the  Adirondacks,  in  which  they  were  engaged  when  first 
known  by  the  French.  Becoming  skilled  in  war,  and 
being  of  a  bold,  adventurous  spirit,  after  finally  defeating 
the  Adirondacks,  the  five  nations  extended  their  conquests 
to  the  south  and  west.  The  ^Mohavv^ks,  although  not  the 
most  numerous  portion  of  the  united  tribes,  furnished  the 
fiercest  and  most  redoubted  warriors.  To  give  an  idea  of 
the  estimation  in  which  they  were  held  by  the  Indians  of 
New  England,  we  cite  the  following  account,  given  by 
Gookin,  in  his  historical  collections,  written  in  107-1-,  of  the 
first  of  the  tribe  with  whom  the  eastern  colonists  held  any 
intercourse. 

"These  INfaquas  are  given  to  rapine  and  spoil;  and  had 
for  several  years  been  in  hostility  with  our  neighbour  In- 
dians, as  the  Massachusetts,  Pautuckets,  &c.,  &c.  And,  in 
truth,  they  were,  in  time  of  war,  so  great  a  terrour  to  all 
the  Indians  before  named,  though  ours  were  far  more  in 
number  than  they,  the  appearance  of  four  or  five  ^Faquas 
in  the  woods,  would  frighten  them  from  their  habitations 
and  cornfields,  and  reduce  many  of  them  to  get  together 
in  forts."  In  September,  of  1665,  "there  were  five  Maw- 
hawks  or  ^faquas,  all  stout  and  lusty  3"0ung  men,  and  well 
armed,  that  came  into  one  John  Taylor's  house,  in  Cani- 
bridge,  in  the  afternoon.  They  were  seen  to  come  out 
from  a  swamp  not  fiir  from  the  house."     Each  had  a  gun, 


^^ 

■ffl 

.'*hM 

11 11  ill 

i 

i 

in  ' '  '                         '  f  1  S 

■ 

i!!'              itli ! 

'  >^lnl 

''  (''  ' '':.  :i..Mmi 

'}  I  :  'i: 

ill 

'    f*' 

1 

"l^^ll 

IP 

".    i"«ll 

mm 

4 

■     3 
1 

i 

11 

ftl' 


Iv    ^i 


'■'     '■"    '         '    '    1.4'"  it  '«kS;'i 

i'  :■  Iff 

'       1      km 


m 


n« 


i 


282 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


pistol,  liatcliet,  and  long  knife,  and  "  the  pcojDle  of  the 
house  pei'ucived  that  their  speeeh  was  dillerent  from  our 
neighbour  Indians;  for  these  ^faquas  speak  hollow  and 
through  the  throat,  more  than  our  Indians;  and  their  lan- 
guage is  understood  but  by  very  few  of  our  neighbour 
Indians," 

It  seems  these  Mohawks  came  with  the  intention  of 
being  apprehended,  that  they'might  see  the  ways  of  the 
English,  and  display,  at  the  same  time,  their  own  courage 
and  daring.  They  made  no  resistance  when  a  party  came 
to  seize  them,  but,  "at  their  being  imprisoned,  and  their 
being  loaden.  with  ii-ons,  they  did  not  appear  daunted  or 
dejected;  but  as  tlie  manner  of  those  Indians  is,  they  sang 
night  and  day,  when  they  were  awake." 

On  being  brought  before  the  court  at  Boston,  they  disa- 
vowed any  evil  intent  towards  the  English,  saying  that 
they  were  come  to  avenge  themselves  upon  their  Indian 
enemies.  "They  were  told  that  it  was  inhumanity,  and 
more  like  wolves  than  men  to  ti.i.vel  and  wander  so  far 
from  home  merely  to  kill  and  destroy  men,  women,  and 
children, — for  thc}^  could  get  no  riches  of  our  Indians, 
who  were  ver}'  pooi", — and  to  do  this  in  a  secret  sivulking 
manner,  Ij'ing  in  ambushrnent,  thickets,  and  swamps,  by 
the  way  side,  and  so  killing  people  in  a  base  and  ignoble 
manner,"  &c. — "  To  these  things  they  made  answer  short!)  . 
'It  was  their  trade  of  life:  they  were  bred  up  by  their 
ancestors  to  act  in  this  way  towards  their  enemies.'" 

All  the  Indians,  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  were  eager 
that  these  ca})tives  should  be  put  to  death,  but  the  court 
adopted  the  wiser  policy  of  sending  thcni  home  in  safety, 
with  presents  and  a  letter  to  their  sachem,  cautioning  him 
against  allowing  any  of  his  people  to  make  war  against 
the  peaceable  Indians  under  the  protection  of  the  English. 

About  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  the  Iro- 
quois, having  annihilated  the  powerful  nation  of  the  Eries, 


-♦•r-^ 


THE  IROQUOIS,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


283 


occupied  no  small  portion  of  that  vast  extent  of  conn 
try,  lying  between  tlic  St.  Lawrence  and  the  great  Itdccs, 
and  tiie  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers.  They  even  extended 
their  hostile  incursions  far  south  and  west  of  these  great 
boundaries.  ^J'he  present  state  of  New  York  contained 
their  principal  establishments,  and  the  picturesque  river 
and  lakes  upon  which  they  dwelt,  still  per})etuatc  the 
names  of  the  confederate  tribes.  These  people  lield  inter- 
course with  the  whites,  of  a  very  different  nature  from  that 
which  characterized  the  reduction  and  humiliation  of  the 
unfortunate  natives  of  New  England.  Placed  as  they 
were  between  powerful  colonies  of  contending  European 
nations;  their  favor  courted  upon  terms  of  e(]^uality  by 
emissaries  from  either  party;  the  authority  of  their  ehiefs 
acknowledged,  and  the  solemnity  of  their  councils  respected 
by  the  whites;  and  conscious  of  proud  superiority  over 
all  surrounding  native  tribes,  it  might  well  be  expected 
that  they  would  entertain  the  highest  sense  of  their  na- 
tional importance. 

No  American  tribe  ever  produced  such  an  array  of 
renowned  warriors  and  orators  as  those  immortalized  in 
the  history  of  the  Six  Nations.  Such  a  regular  system  of 
federal  government,  where  the  chief-men  of  each  member 
of  the  league  met  in  one  grand  council,  to  sustain  the 
interests  of  their  tribe,  or  enforce  the  views  of  their  con- 
stituents upon  subjects  of  state  policy,  in  matters  of  vital 
importance  to  the  whole  nation,  elicited  all  the  powers  of 
rude  native  eloquence.  Never  in  the  history  of  the  world 
has  the  stirring  effect  of  accomplished  oratory  been  more 
strikingly  displayed  tlian  in  the  councils  of  these  untaught 
sages.  The  speeches  of  Logan,  Eed-Jacket,  and  others, 
fortunately  preserved,  have  been  long  considered  master- 
pieces of  forcible  declamation. 

The  address  of  Garangula,  or  Grand  Gucule.  to  the 
Canadian  governor,  M.  de  la  Barre,  has  been  often  tran- 


Lii;: 


i  »i       ^  V 


I 


I  _  '.■,  K.  .r,.   '-J,  ,.j 


'^^m  ■ 


^3; 


ti» 


28-1 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


ficribcd,  hut  is  so  strikingly  characteristic  of  Indian  style 
that  we  niust  (ind  place  for  at  least  a  portion  of  it.  About 
the  year  1084,  the  French,  being  at  peace  with  the  Iro- 
quois, took  the  opportunity  to  strengthen  and  enlarge  their 
dominions  by  fortilying  and  adding  to  their  posts  upon  the 
M'cstern  waters.  In  carrying  out  this  purpose,  they  sent 
large  supplies  of  annnunition  to  their  Indian  allies;  tribes 
hostile  to  the  confederacy.  The  Iroquois  took  prompt 
measures  \o  check  this  transfer  of  means  for  their  destruc- 
tion, and  the  French  governor,  angry  at  their  inteiference, 
determined  to  hund^le  them  by  a  decisive  campaign.  lie 
collected  a  strong  force  at  Cadaraqui  fort;  but,  a  sickness 
breaking  out  among  his  troops,  he  was  obliged  to  give 
over,  or  delay  the  })rosecution  of  his  purjiose.  lie  there- 
fore procured  a  meeting  witli  the  old  Onondaga  sa' hem, 
and  other  Indian  deputies  at  Kaihoage,  on  Lake  Ontario, 
for  a  conference.  He  conmicnced  by  recapitulating  the 
injuries  received  from  the  Five  Nations,  by  the  j^lunder  of 
French  traders,  and,  after  demanding  ample  satisfaction, 
threatened  the  destruction  of  the  nation,  if  his  claims  were 
disregarded.  He  also  falsely  asserted  that  the  governor  of 
New  York  had  received  orders  from  the  English  court  to 
assist  the  French  army  in  the  proposed  invasion. 

The  old  chief,  undisturbed  by  these  menaces,  having 
taken  two  or  three  turns  about  the  apartment,  stood  before 
the  governor,  and,  after  a  courteous  and  formal  })rologue, 
addressed  him  as  follows:  (we  cite  from  Drake's  Book  of 
the  North  American  Indians)  "Yonondio;  you  must  have 
believed,  when  you  left  Quebeck,  that  the  sun  had  burnt  up 
all  tlie  forests  which  render  our  country  inaccessible  to  the 
French,  or  that  the  lakes  had  so  far  overflown  the  banks, 
that  they  had  surrounded  our  castles,  and  that  it  was  ua- 
possible  for  us  to  get  out  of  them.  Yes,  surely  you  must 
have  dreamt  so,  and  the  curiosity  of  seeing  so  great  a 
wonder  has  brought  you  so  far.     Now  you  are  undeceived. 


THE  IROQUC    *.  OU  SIX  NATIONS. 


285 


since  that  T,  and  the  warriors  here  present,  arc  come  to 
assure  3-011  that  the  Senecas,  Cayugas,  Onondagas,  Oncidas 
and  Mohawks  are  yet  alive.  I  thank  you  in  their  name, 
for  bringing  hack  into  their  country  the  calumet  whicli 
your  predecessor  received  from  their  hands.  It  was  ha])py 
for  you  that  you  left  undei'  ground  tlmt  murdering  hatchet 
that  has  been  so  often  dyed  in  the  blood  of  the  French. 

"Hear,  Yonondio;  I  do  not  sleep;  I  have  my  eyes 
ipen;  and  the  sun  which  enlightens  me,  discovers  to  me 
a  great  captain,  at  the  head  of  a  company  of  soldiers,  who 
speaks  as  if  he  were  dreaming.  He  says  that  ho  only  came 
to  the  lake  to  smoke  on  the  great  calumet  with  the  Onon- 
dagas. But  Gi-angula  says,  that  he  sees  the  contrary; 
that  it  was  to  knock  them  on  the  head  if  sickness  had  not 
weakened  the  arms  of  the  French.  I  see  Yonondio  raving 
in  a  camp  of  sick  men,  whose  lives  the  Great  Spirit  has 
saved  by  inflicting  this  sickness  upon  them. 

"Hear,  Yonondio;  our  women  had  taken  their  clubs, 
our  children  and  old  men  had  carried  their  bows  and 
arrows  into  the  heart  of  your  camp,  if  our  warriors  had  not 
disarmed  them,  and  kept  them  back  when  your  mcsscngci", 
Akouessan,  came  to  our  castles.  It  is  done,  and  I  have 
said  it. 

"Hear,  Yonondio;  we  plundered  none  of  the  French, 
but  those  that  carried  arms,  powder  and  ball  to  the 
Twightwics  and  Chictaghicks,  because  those  arms  might 
have  cost  us  our  lives.  Herein  we  follow  the  example  of 
the  Jesuits,  who  break  all  the  kegs  of  rum  brought  to  our 
castles,  lest  the  drunken  Indians  should  knock  them  on 
the  head.  Our  warriors  have  not  beaver  enough  to  pay 
for  all  those  arms  that  they  have  taken,  and  our  old  men 
are  not  afraid  of  the  war.     This  belt  preserves  my  words." 

The  orator  continued  in  the  same  strain,  asserting  the 
independence  and  freedom  of  his  nation,  and  giving  sub- 
stantial reasons  for  knocking  the  Twightwics  and  Chic- 


I  '»' 


4  ^^ZwS^ 


■^'"■;y^^x 


w 


i,*.;:! 


n* 


286 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMElilCA. 


tu^hicksoii  tlic  lieiid.  He  concliulcd  by  magnaniinonslv 
oil'iTiii;^  a  present  of  beaver  to  the  governor,  and  bv  in- 
viting all  the  company  present  to  an  entertainment.  At  the 
end  of  each  important  section  of  a  speech,  it  was  usual  for 
the  speaker  to  proffer  a  belt  of  wampum,  to  be  kept  in  per- 
petual memory  of  that  portion  of  his  oration,  a  circumstance 
explanatory  of  the  concluding  words  of  the  above  quotation. 


CHAPTER  II. 

IROQUOIS  TRADITIONS  UELATIVE  TO  THEIR    FORMER    HISTORY A 

BRIEF  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  DIFFERENT  TRIBES  BELONGING  TO 

THE  CONFEDERACY,  AND    THE    MANNER   OF  THEIR 

UNION INCIDENTS  OF  EARLY  WARFARE. 

Some  fanciful  tales  of  a  supernatui-al  origin  from  the 
heart  of  a  mountain;  of  a  migration  to  the  eastern  sea- 
board ;  and  of  a  subsequent  return  to  the  country  of  lakes 
and  rivers  where  they  finally  settled,  comprise  most  that 
is  noticeable  in  the  native  traditions  of  the  Six  Nations, 
prior  to  the  grand  confederation.  Many  of  the  ancient 
fortifications,  the  remains  of  which  are  still  visible  through 
the  state  of  New  York,  were  said  to  have  been  built  for 
defence  while  the  tribes  were  disjoined,  and  hostile  to  each 
other. 

The  period  when  it  was  finally  concluded  to  adjust  all 
differences,  and  to  enter  into  a  league  of  mutual  protection 
and  defence,  is  altogether  uncertain.  The  most  distin- 
guished authors  who  have  given  the  subject  their  attention, 
incline  to  the  opinion  that  this  took  place  within  less  than 
a  century  anterior  to  the  English  colonization  in  the  east. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  precise  time  of  the  new 
organization,  its  results  were,  as  we  have  seen,  brilliant  in 
the   extrieme.     None   of  the   ruder   nations   of  Eastoi-n 


■\ '. 


THE  IROQUOIS,  Oli  SIX  NATIONS. 


287 


America  liave  ever  displayed  such  a  combination  of  qual« 
ities  that  command  respect  as  tliosc  of  whom  vvc  arc  now 
treating.  I'he  nature  of  the  league  was  decidedly  demo- 
cratic; arbitrary  power  was  lodged  in  the  hands  of  no 
ruler,  nor  was  any  tribe  allowed  to  exercise  discretional 
authority  over  another.  A  singular  unanimity  was  gen- 
erally observable  in  their  councils;  the  rights  and  oj^inions 
of  minorities  were  respected;  and,  in  no  instance,  were 
measures  adopted  which  met  the  .sauciion  of  but  a  bare 
majority. 

AVe  are  told  that  for  a  long  period  before  the  revolution, 
the  Iroquois  chiefs  and  orators  held  up  their  own  confed- 
eration as  an  example  for  the  imitation  of  the  English 
colonies. 

Each  tribe  had  one  principal  sachem,  who,  with  an 
undelincd  number  of  associates,  took  his  post  in  the  great 
councils  of  the  nation.  A  grave  and  decent  deliberation 
was  seen  in  all  their  assemblies,  forming  a  striking  contrast 
to  the  trickery  and  chicane,  or  noisy  misrule  too  often  vis- 
ible in  the  legislative  halls  of  enlightened  modern  nations. 

The  ^lohawks  were  esteemed  the  oldest  of  the  tribes, 
and,  as  they  were  always  the  most  noted  in  warlike  trans- 
actions, one  of  their  sachems  usually  occupied  the  position 
o^  commander-in-chief  of  the  active  forces  of  the  united 
people.  The  settlement  of  this  tribe  was  in  eastern  New 
York,  upon  the  Mohawk  river,  and  along  the  shores  of  the 
Hudson.  From  their  villages,  in  these  districts,  their  war- 
parties  ravaged  or  subdued  the  feebler  nations  at  the  east 
and  south,  and  their  favor  was  only  obtained  by  tribute  and 
submission. 

Next  in  order,  proceeding  westward,  dwelt  the  Oneidas, 
whose  central  locality,  suppljdng  the  place  of  a  state 
capital  for  the  national  council,  was  the  celebrated  Oneida 
stone.  This  mass  of  rock,  crowning  the  summit  of  a  hill 
which  commands  a  beautiful  view  of  the  valley,  is  still 


k:    lir 


''!':..      ,  m 


.,  .^'!! 


li'r 


»* 


'k 


288 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMKIUCA. 


pointed  out  in  tlic  town  of  Slocl<])ri(lgc,  al)out  riflccn  or 
twenty  miles  .sontli-ctist  of  tlie  Oneida  lalce.  'J'his  tribe  is 
supposed  to  liave  been  tlie  last  of  the  1^'ivo  Nations  to  have 
adopted  a  separate  name  and  government,  in  early  ages, 
prior  to  the  grand  union.  It  pi'odueed  bold  anil  eniur- 
prizing  wariiois,  who  extended  their  excursions  far  to  the 
south,  and  by  some  of  whom  the  sixth  tribe — the  Tusca- 
roras — was  fr'st  condneted  northward. 

'i^^  Onondaj^as  occupied  the  country  bet-.ocn  the 
Oneida  and'  Caynga  lakes.  According  to  some  theories, 
all  the  other  tribes  were  derived  from  this,  and  certain  it 
is  that  the  civil  ruler  of  the  coni'Hlcracy  was  always  from 
Onondaga,  and  hei'e  was  ever  the  grand  central  council- 
fire.  Afonarchs  of  the  tribe  were  said  to  have  reigned,  in 
regular  succession,  from  the  first  period  of  its  nationality 
to  the  time  of  Europeon  colonization. 

In  near  proximity  to  each  othei-,  upon  the  beautiful 
lakes  which  still  bear  their  name,  were  settled  the  Cayu- 
gas  and  Senecas.  The  last-mentioned  tribe  has  always 
been  by  far  the  most  numerous  of  those  united  by  the  league. 

llie  Tuscf.^oras  were,  by  their  own  account,  a  branch 
from  the  original  stock  of  the  Iroquois.  Migrating  first 
to  the  west,  and  thence  south-easterly,  they  had  finally  set- 
tled upon  the  Neuse  and  Tar  rivers,  in  North  Carolina. 
Surrounded  by  hostile  Indians,  who  proved  unable  to  cope 
with  the  interlopers,  these  warlike  people  maintained  their 
position  until  early  in  the  eighteenth  century.  They  then 
endeavored  to  exterminate  the  English  colonists  of  their 
vicinity.  On  an  appointed  day,  (September  22,  1711,) 
divided  in  small  parties,  they  entered  the  villages  of  the 
whites,  in  a  manner  intended  to  ward  off  suspicion,  and 
attempted  a  general  massacre.  Other  coast  Indians  were 
involved  in  the  conspiracy. 

One  hundred  and  thirty  whites  are  said  to  have  perished 
OQ  that  day;  but  so  far  from  being  a  successful  blow 


.'         :'*■ 


hi 


■  l^lJ 


i'titt'jf' 

•r*' 

lillt 

♦ 

!,l-r: 


M 


•■I 

{]  ^|, 

Ii 

1 

1 

mi 

■ 

m 

*■■» 

1 

1 

r 


F 


THE  ITIOQUOIS,  on  HIX  NATIONS. 


289 


ngaiiist  tlio  .iilvutico  of  tlic  colonios,  tlio  plt)t  only  urouMcd 
a  spirit  of  rotaliiition,  which  irsiiltiMl  in  tlio  oxpulsion  of 
the  triho.  With  the  asHiHtatico  of  forces  from  South  Curo- 
liiia  and  Vir<<inia,  tlic  war  was  carried  on  vi<jjoronsly;  and 
in  ^fal•cll  of  171.'),  th(>  main  fort  of  tho  Tusc^aroras,  njion 
'Par  river,  to  whii'h  they  luul  retreated,  was  stormed  by 
Colonel  Moore,  and  (M;^iit  liundrecl  prisoners  werc^  taken. 

BeiiiL?  now  reduced  to  submission,  such  of  the  Irilx;  as 
ri'maineil  in  Carolina  yi(>lded  to  the  roriuinmK'iits  and 
rc<,'ulations  of  their  conquerors.  Tho  major  portion  moved 
to  New  York,  and  formed  tho  sixth  nation  of  th(>  Inxpiois. 
They  wore  established  in  the  immediate  neiyliborhood  of 
the  Onoi(his. 

^^any  strange  legends  of  early  warfare  between  thc^  Iro- 
quois and  diiitant  tribes  at  the  south  and  west  havc^  been 
preserved.  The  particulars  of  some  of  thoso  narratives 
can  be  relied  upon,  while  others  are  evidently  oxaLfgerated 
and  distorted  in  the  tradition.  At  the  south,  the  most 
famous  of  their  opponents  were  tho  gr(\it  nation  of  tlic 
Delawarcs,  the  Cherokecs,  and  the  ancient  tribe  from  whom 
our  principal  chain  of  mountains  derive  a  name.  They 
always  claimed  that  the  Lenni  Lena])!',  or  Delawarcs,  were 
a  conquered  people,  and  assumed  the  haughtiness  of  supe- 
riors in  all  their  conferences  and  dealings  with  tlujm.  No 
hostilities  took  place  between  the  two  nations  after  Euro- 
pean settlements  were  established  in  tin;  country. 

The  Cherokee  war  gave  rather  an  opportunity  for 
displays  of  individual  energy  and  daring,  than  for  any  de- 
cisive exhibition  of  national  power.  The  distance  to  bo 
traversed  was  so  great,  that  it  was  never  undertaken  by 
any  large  body  of  warriors.  Small  parties,  who  could 
make  their  way  unperccived  into  the  heart  of  the  enemies' 
country,  and  retire  as  stealthily  with  their  trophies  of  scalps, 
frequently  sought  such  opportunity  of  proving  their  hardi- 
19 


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■'  \  Hiij'  ,.;;'!:!*t| 


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290 


INDIAN  RACES   OF   AMERICA. 


hood.  One  cf  the  stories  told  of  these  early  exploits,  is 
that  of  the  Seneca  wanv;;-,  Tliadeoni.  lie  is  said  to  have 
started  alone  on  a  war-path,  and'  to  have  penetrated  the 
country  of  the  Cherokees,  supported  by  such  provisions 
as  he  could  procure  on  the  route,  and  a  little  parched  corn 
which  he  carried  with  him  when  he  set  out. 

Prowling  about  the  enemies'  villages,  he  managed  to 
dispatch  two  men  and  to  secure  their  scalps.  He  then 
started  on  his  return,  and,  late  in  the  evening,  killed  and 
scalped  a  young  man  whom  he  saw  coming  out  of  a  retired 
wigwam.  The  hut  a])peared  to  be  empty,  and  he  could 
not  resist  the  temptation  to  enter  it  in  search  of  plunder; 
especially  that  he  might  satisfy  his  craving  for  tobacco. 

While  there,  the  young  man's  mother  entered  the  wig- 
wam, and,  mistaking  Iliadeoni,  who  had  thrown  himself 
upon  the  bed,  for  her  son,  told  him  that  she  was  going  away 
for  the  night.  The  Aveary  Seneca,  seduced  by  the  ease  of 
a  long-unaccustomed  couch,  fell  into  a  sound  slumber,  from 
which  he  was  only  awakened  by  the  old  woman's  return  in 
the  morning.  Taking  advantage  of  a  moment  Avhen  she  had 
left  the  hut,  to  slip  out,  he  made  the  best  of  his  way  north- 
ward, but  the  alarm  had  been  given,  and  it  was  only  by 
his  great  swiftness  that  he  escaped.  He  carried  the  three 
scalps  in  triumph  to  his  own  people. 

Many  similar  legends  are  preserved  among  the  Indians, 
of  the  bravery  and  determined  spirit  of  revenge  in  which 
their  forefathers  gloried.  One  of  those  which  has  been 
given  with  the  greatest  particularity,  is  the  noted  expedi- 
tion of  the  Adirondack  chief  Piskaret  and  his  four  asso- 
ciates. In  the  long  and  blood}^  war  between  that  tribe  and 
the  Five  Nations,  the  latter  had  attained  the  ascendancy 
by  a  series  of  victories,  and  the  five  warriors  alluded  to 
undertook  to  wipe  away  the  disgrace  of  defeat.  Proceed- 
ing up  the  Sorel,  in  a  single  canoe,  they  fell  in  with  five 
boat-loads  of  the  enemy,  and  immediately  commenced  their 


I'Tf'T'^ 


THE  IROQUOIS,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


291 


death-song,  as  if  escape  were  impossible  and  resistance 
useless.  As  the  Iroquois  approached,  a  sudden  discharge 
from  the  Adirondack  muskets,  which  were  loaded  with 
small  chain-sliot,  destroyed  the  frail  birch-bark  canoes  of 
their  opponents.  At  such  a  disadvantage,  tlie  Iroquois 
were  easily  knocked  on  the  head  as  they  floundered  in  the 
water :  as  many  as  could  be  safely  secured  were  taken  alive, 
and  tortured  to  death  at  their  captors'  leisure.  None  of 
Piskaret's  companions  would  accompany  him  upon  a  sec- 
ond war-path  which  he  proposed.  They  had  acquired 
glory  enough,  and  were  content  to  remain  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  a  well-earned  reputation,  without  undergoing 
further  hardships  and  danger.  The  bold  chief  therefore 
started  alone  for  the  heart  of  the  enemies'  country.  Using 
every  precaution  for  concealment  and  deception  knoAvn  to 
savages;  reversing  liis  snow-shoes  to  mislead  a  pursuing 
part}^  as  to  the  direction  he  had  taken;  and  carefully 
clioosing  a  route  v/here  it  would  be  difficult  to  track  him, 
he  reached  one  of  the  Iroquois  towns.  Lying  closely  con- 
cealed during  the  da}'',  he  stole  into  the  wigAvams  of  his 
enemies  on  two  successive  nights,  and  murdered  and 
scalped  the  sleeping  occupants.  The  third  night  a  guard 
was  stationed  at  every  lodge,  but  Piskaret,  stealthily  wait- 
ing an  opportunity,  knocked  one  of  the  watchmen  on  the 
head,  and  fled,  hotly  pursued  by  a  party  from  the  village. 
His  speed  was  superior  to  that  of  any  Indian  of  his  time, 
and,  through  the  whole  day,  he  kept  just  sufficiently  in 
advance  of  his  pursuers  to  excite  them  to  their  utmost  ex- 
ertions. At  night,  they  lay  down  to  rest,  and,  wearied  with 
the  day's  toil,  the  whole  party  fell  asleep.  Piskaret,  per- 
ceiving this,  silently  killed  and  scalped  every  man  of  th>  m, 
and  carried  home  his  trophies  in  safety. 

The  Iroquois  were  generally  at  enmity  with  the  French, 
and,  within  a  few  years  after  the  futile  attempt  on  the  part 
of  De  la  Barre,  which  we  have  mentioned  in  a  preceding 


■**; 

1 , 

i 

1  ■  ■ 

'P^^ir^H,;^.lU*^ 


i 

/ 


^' 


202 


TXDIAN  RACES  OF  AMEllICA. 


chapter,  scenes  of  friglitful  crueltj  and  bloodshed  ^ve^e 
enacted  on  both  sides.  The  confederacy  was  then,  as  long 
afterwards,  in  the  English  interest,  and  the  conquered 
Ilurons,  or  Wyandots,  whom  tliey  had  di'iven  far  west- 
- .  ward,  naturally  espoused  the  cause  of  the  French.  Having, 
however,  no  cause  for  ill-will  against  the  English,  excc})t 
as  beinof  allies  of  their  foes,  the  Ilurons  were  not  unwillini:^ 
to  hold  intercourse  with  them  for  purposes  of  profitable 
traffic. 

A  strange  piece  of  duplicity,  conducted  with  true  In- 
dian cunning  by  Adario,  or  the  Eat,  sachem  of  tlic 
Dinondadies,  a  "Wyandot  tribe,  was  the  immediate  cause 
of  hostilities.  He  left  his  liead-quarters,  at  Michilimaok- 
inac,  with  one  hundred  warriors,  Avhether  with  intent  to 
make  an  incursion  upon  the  Iroquois,  or  merely  upon  a 
sort  of  scout,  to  keep  himself  informed  of  the  movements 
of  the  contending  parties,  does  not  appear.  lie  stopped  at 
the  French  fort  of  Cadaraqui,  and  learned  from  the  officer 
in  command  that  a  peace  was  about  to  be  concluded  between 
the  French  and  Iroquois ;  deputies  for  which  purpose  were 
even  then  on  their  way  from  the  Six  Nations  to  Montreal. 

Nothing  could  be  more  distasteful  to  the  Rat  than  a 
treaty  of  this  character,  and  he  promptly  determined  to 
create  a  breach  between  the  negotiating  parties.  He 
therefore  lay  in  w  ait  for  the  ambassadors ;  fell  upon  them ; 
and  took  all  who  were  not  slain  in  the  conflict  prisoners. 
He  pretended,  in  discourse  with  these  captives,  that  he 
was  acting  under  the  direction  of  the  French  authorities, 
and  when  the  astonished  deputies  made  answer  that  they 
wen^  bound  upon  peaceful  embassy,  in  accordance  with  the 
invitation  of  the  French,  he  assumed  all  the  appearance  of 
astonishment  and  indignation  at  being  made  an  instrument 
for  so  treacherous  an  act.  He  immediately  set  his  prison 
ers  at  liberty,  gave  them  arms,  and  advised  them  to  rouse 
up  their  people  to  avenge  such  foul  injustice. 


THE  IROQUOIS,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


203 


By  this,  and  otlicr  (iqiuilly  artful  management,  Adurio 
stirred  up  tlic  most  uncontrollable  rage  in  the  minds  of 
the  Iroquois  against  the  French,  and  a  long  and  disastrous 
war  followed.  It  was  in  vain  that  the  Canadian  governor 
attempted  to  explain  the  true  state  of  affairs.  The  Iroquois 
ever  held  the  French  in  suspicion,  and  would  not  be  dis- 
abused. They  invaded  Canada  with  an  irresistible  force. 
We  have  no  record  of  any  period  in  the  history  of  Amer- 
ica in  which  the  arms  of  the  natives  were  so  successful. 
Twelve  hundred  warriors  passed  over  to  the  island  upon 
which  Montreal  is  situated,  and  laid  waste  the  country. 
Nearly  a  thousand  of  the  French  are  said  to  have  been 
slain  or  reserved  for  death  by  fire  and  torture.  Neither 
age  nor  sex  proved  any  protection,  and  tlie  scenes  described 
surpass  in  horror  any  thing  before  or  since  experienced  by 
the  whites  at  the  hands  of  the  Indians. 

The  war  continued  for  j^ears,  and  the  name  of  Black 
Kattle,  the  most  noted  war-chief  of  the  leagued  nations, 
hccame  a  word  of  terror.  He  fought  successfully  against 
superior  numbers  of  the  French ;  and  it  is  astonishing  to 
read  of  the  trifling  loss  which  his  bands  sustained  in 
many  of  their  most  desperate  engagements. 

The  great  orator  of  the  nation,  at  this  period,  was  named 
Decanisora;  he  appeared  more  preeminently  than  any  other 
in  all  the  public  negotiations  of  the  tribe,  and  was  one  of 
the  deputies  who  were  duped  by  the  subtle  contrivance  of 
Adario. 

We  have  already  mentioned  that  the  Six  Nations  gen- 
erally favored  the  English,  and  that  between  them  and  the 
French,  feelings  of  the  bitterest  animosity  prevailed.  The 
recollection  of  the  scenes  which  attended  the  sack  of  Mon- 
treal must  constantly  have  strengthened  this  hatred  on  the 
part  of  the  Canadians,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  In- 
dians could  point  to  acts  of  equal  atrocity  and  cold-blooded 
cruelty  exercised   towards   some  of  their  own   numbel 


'^1 


I'  1    ,  u 


11 


!«ibkkil».l^.        .;     v.,£^ 


.  yt^ 


.  -'^^'^1 


V-' 


U* 


•|:-:j 


294 


INDLiF   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


when  taken  captive.  Meanwhile,  the  English  agents  were 
assiduous  in  cultivating  the  friendship  of  the  powoilul 
confederacy  Avhose  sagacity  and  good  faith  in  council,  and 
whose  strength  in  battle,  had  been  so  tiioro uglily  tested. 
In  the  year  1710,  three  Iroquois  and  two  Mohegan  sachems 
were  invited  to  visit  the  English  court,  and  they  sailed 
for  England  accordingly.  The  greatest  interest  was  felt 
by  high  and  low  in  their  aprcarancc  and  demeanor.  '^I'hey 
were  royally  accoutered,  and  presented  to  Queen  Anne 
with  courtly  ceremony.  The  authenticity  of  the  set 
speeches  recorded  as  having  been  delivered  by  them  on 
this  occasion,  has  been  shrewdly  caFed  in  question.  The 
Spectator,  of  April  27th,  1711,  in  a  letter  written  to  show 
how  the  absurdities  of  English  society  might  strike  a  for- 
eigner, gives  a  sort  of  diary  as  having  been  written  by 
one  of  these  sachems.  The  article  opens  thus.  "When 
the  four  Indian  Kings  were  in  this  country,  about  a  twclve- 
mrnth  ago,  I  often  mixed  \v'ith  the  rabble,  and  fol](j\ved 
them  a  whole  day  together,  being  wonderfidly  struck  with 
the  sight  of  every  thing  that  is  new  or  unconmion."  The 
writer  particularizes  "  our  good  brother  E.  Tow  0.  Kijam, 
king  of  the  llivcrs,"  and  speaks  of  "the  kings  of  Granajah 
(Canajoharie)  and  of  the  Six  Nations."  This  latter  appel- 
lation, as  observed  by  Mr.  Drake,  seems  to  call  in  question 
the  correctness  of  the  date  usually  assigned  to  the  event 
of  the  annexation  of  the  Tuscaroras. 


THE  IROQUOIS,  OR  SIX  XATIONS.  295 


CHAPTER   III. 

IMPORTANT  CHARACTERS  AND  EVENTS  OF   THE  EIOHTEENTH  CEN- 
TURY  BRANT CRESAP'S  WAR,  AND  HISTORY  OF  LOGAN. 

During  the  long  and  bloody  wars  between  the  English 
and  French,  the  Six  Nations  were  continually  involved  in 
hostilities,  occupying,  as  they  did,  a  position  between  the 
contending  parties.  To  describe  all  the  part  they  took  in 
these  transactions,  would  b.  to  give  a  history  of  the  war. 
This  is  far  from  our  purpose  to  undertake,  and,  in  bring- 
ing down  events  to  the  period  of  the  American  revolution 
we  shall  bestow  but  a  passing  notice  upon  some  of  the 
more  prominent  incidents  in  which  the  Irocpiois,  as  a  na- 
tion, or  distinguished  -individuals  of  their  tribe,  bore  a 
conspicuous  part. 

Joseph  Brant, — Thayendanagea,  (as  he  usually  signed 
himself,)  was  born  in  the  year  17-12.  It  has  been  a  matter 
much  disputed  whether  he  was  a  half-breed,  or  of  pure 
Indian  descent,  and  also  whether  he  was  entitled  to  the  dig- 
nity of  a  chief  by  birth,  or  rose  to  it  by  his  own  exertions. 
Ilis  biographer.  Stone,  pronounces  hiin  to  have  been  the 
son  of  "  Tehowaghwengaraghkwin,  a  full-blooded  ]\[o- 
hawk,  of  the  Wolf  tribe."  His  parents  resided  in  tlie 
valley  of  the  Mohawk,  but  were  upon  an  ex}.)edition  to 
the  Ohio  river  when  Joseph  was  born.  Young  Brant  w.as 
early  taken  under  the  patronage  of  Sir  William  Johnson, 
the  English  colonial  agent  for  Indian  affairs,  under  whose 
command  he  gained  his  first  knowledge  and  experience  of 
military  affairs.  Many  have  expressed  the  opinion  that 
Brant  was  a  son  of  Sir  William ;  but  we  can  account  for 
their  mutual  interest  in  each  other's  welfare  upon  other 
grounds  than  those  of  natural  affection.  Sir  William 
Johnson  was  idolized  by  the  whole  Mohawk  tribe  for  the 
favor  and  respect  which  he  had  shown  them,  and  for  his 


' 


1 1 


i  'M 


>  ^  L  11^ 


:m 


^•Ir 


'm¥ 


'>  "''n 


s'  (    ''■■,« 


it  , 


I:^-' 


296 


INDIAN  RACKS  OF  AMERICA. 


'  IPS.:  i 

■  r  ■  ■'  i 


l! 


ii 


1 1 


princely  hospital it3\  With  the  family  of  l>raut  he  was 
more  closely  coniiocted  by  a  union  with  Moll}",  a  sister  of 
Joseph's,  who  lived  with  him  as  a  mistress  until  his  death. 

In  the  year  1755,  Brant,  then  but  thirteen  years  of  ago, 
took  part  witli  his  tribe  in  the  battle  at  Lake  (ieoi'go, 
where  the  French,  under  Baron  Dieskaru,  were  defeated 
by  Sir  William  Johnson  and  his  forces.  Old  king  Ilen- 
drick  or  Soi-en-ga-rah-ta,  the  noted  sachem  of  the  Aio- 
liawks,  perished  on  this  occasion.  Ilendrick  was  nearl}^ 
seventy  years  of  age,  but  years  had  not  diminished  his 
energy  or  (^ourage.  Historians  vie  with  each  other  in  the 
praises  which  they  bestow  upon  the  eloquence,  bravery, 
and  integrity  of  this  old  chief  He  was  intimate  with  liis 
distinguished  English  commander,  and  it  was  between 
them  that  the  amusing  contention  of  dreams  occurred,  that 
has  been  so  often  narrated.  With  the  Iroquois  a  dream 
was  held  to  import  verity,  insomuch  that  it  must  be  fulfd- 
led  if  practicable.  Sir  William  (then  general)  Johnson  had 
displayed  some  splendid  and  costly  uniforms  before  the 
eyes  of  his  admiring  guests,  at  one  of  his  munificent  en- 
tertainments. Old  Ilendrick  came  to  him  one  morning, 
shortly  afterwards,  and  gravely  affirmed  that  he  had  dreamed 
of  receiving  one  of  these  gorgeous  suits  as  a  present.  The 
general  instantly  presented  it  to  him,  but  took  the  oppor- 
tunity to  retaliate  by  dreaming  of  the  cession  of  three 
thousand  acres  of  valuable  land.  The  sachem  was  not 
backward  in  carrying  out  his  own  principles,  but  at  the 
same  time  avowed  his  intention  of  dreaming  no  more  with 
one  whose  dl-eams  were  so  hard. 

To  return  to  young  Brant :  after  accompanying  his  j^atron 
in  further  campaigns  of  the  bloody  French  war,  he  was 
placed  by  him,  together  with  several  other  young  Indijius, 
at  an  institution  in  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  called  the  Moor 
Sciiool,  after  its  founder,  to  receive  an  English  education. 
This  was  about  the  year  1760.     After  attaining  some  pro- 


en- 


mcd 


Tl 


10 


ppor- 
irce 
not 

tllG 

dtli 


Itrou 
I  was 

lloor 

tioii. 


IUjIj.J;^^^'^*^'' 


JUiiF.PH    BHAJfT      TH.l  y  i:.\- 1)  .i^TF.G  F.^ 


i(' 


rrr- 


TIIE  lUOQUOIS,  Oil  SIX  NATIONS. 


297 


ficiciiny  in  the  first  rudimciits  of  litomtmv,  which  lie  after- 
wards turned  to  good  acpount,  Brant  left  tlic  setiiinary,  and 
again  engaged  in  a  life  of  active  warfare.  He  was  em- 
ployed in  the  war  with  Pontiac  and  the  C)ttawas,  hut  the 
partieulars  of  his  services  are  not  hande(l  down  to  us.  In 
1705,  we  find  liim  married  and  settled  in  liis  own  lionso 
at  the  Mohawdv  valley.  ITcire  he  spent  a  quiet  and  peace- 
ful life  for  some  years,  acting  as  interpreter  in  negotiations 
hetwecn  his  people  and  the  whit(\s,  and  lending  his  aid  to 
the  efforts  of  the  missionaries  who  were;  emjjasvd  in  the 
work  of  teaching  and  converting  the  Indians.  Those  who 
visited  his  liouse,  spoke  in  high  terms  of  his  kindness  and 
hospitality. 

On  the  death  of  Sir  AVilliam  Johnson,  iii  June,  1774,  his 
son-in-law,  Colonel  Guy  Johnson,  held  his  office  as  Indian 
agent;  while  his  son  and  heir,  Sir  John  Johnson,  succeeded 
to  the  i)aternal  estates.  Colonel  Guy  continued  the  fivor 
shown  by  his  father  to  Brant,  and  appoijited  hini  his 
seiretarv. 

In  the  spring  of  this  same  year  a  war  commenced,  ihc 
causes  of  which  have  been  variously  represente<l,  hut 
whose  consequences  were  truly  disastrous.  We  alhulo  to 
the  scenes  in  western  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  so  inti- 
mately connected  with  the  names  of  Logan  and  *..'n>sa]). 
Colonel  Michael  Cresap  has  been,  for  many  yeai's,  held  up 
to  public  odium  by  nearly  every  historian,  as  the  cruel  and 
Avanton  murderer,  wdiosc  unscrupulous  conduct  was  the  - 
sole  or  principal  cause  of  the  bloody  Indian  war  of  which 
we  arc  now  to  S}icak,  and  which  is  still  spokcui  of  ;>s 
Cresap's  war.  On  the  other  hand,  some  recent  investiga- 
tions, made  public  by  Mr.  Brantz  Mayer,  of  Baltimore,  in 
an  address  delivered  before  the  oMaryland  Historical  So- 
ciety, seems  to  remove  no  little  portion  of  this  resj)onsi- 
hility  from  tlie  shoulders  of  Cresap,  or  at  least  prove  that 
the  acts  wdth  which  his  name  has  been  so  lono-  associated 


J,'  '   t 


■  'lmh 


t    I 


■'I 


^Ai 


■l\ 


( 

1 

,^■1  , 

11- ; 

['■ 

/'i 

298 


INDIAN   HACKS  OF  AMKIUCA. 


were  not  directly  iittributable  to  liiin.  TT(>  is  shown  to 
liavo  been  a  jji'iideiit  aii<l  cautious  man,  who  cxcM'tcd  lijs 
infhi'jnce  to  restrain  the  reckless  adventurers  nndcr  liis 
cc.nmand  from  wanton  outrag(\s  upon  tlic  Indians.  \Vq 
shall  not  attempt  to  decide  upon  the  qu(\stion  as  to  how 
far  he  was  blameahle,  but  give,  in  few  words,  the  circum- 
stances which  bi'ought  al>ont  hostilities. 

Logan  was  the  son  of  Shikellimus,  a  Caynga  chief, 
who  had  removed  to  the  banks  of  the  Stisquehanna,  and 
ruled  over  thcxsc  of  the  Iroquois  who  had  settled  in  that 
vicinity.  Logan  himself  had  attained  authority  farther  to 
the  westward,  upon  the  Ohio,  in  the  Shawanesc  country. 
He  had  ever  been  of  i  peaceful  disposition,  and  friendly 
to  the  whites. 

A  party  of  lantbhunters,  who  had  chosen  Crcsaji  as  their 
leader,  arc  said  to  have  committed  the  first  direct  acts  of 
hostility,  in  retaliation  for  a  supposed  theft  of  some  of  their 
horses.  We  arc  told  that  they  fell  upon  and  treacherously 
murdered  several  of  a  party  of  Lidians  whom  they  fell  in 
with,  on  the  bank  of  the  Ohio,  below  the  spot  where 
AVheeling  now  stands,  and  that  among  the  slain  were  some 
relatives  of  Logan.  With  the  next  rupture,  Cresap  had 
certainly  no  connection.  It  occurred  at  a  white  settlement, 
thirty  or  forty  miles  further  up  the  river.  Two  men, 
named  Greathonsc  and  Tomlinson,  were  the  principal 
leaders  in  the  affair.  They  had  ascertained  that  the  In- 
dians, then  encamped  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  intended 
an  attack  upon  the  place,  in  retaliation  for  the  murders 
committed  by  Cresap's  men.  Finding,  on  examination, 
that  the  Indians  were  too  numerous  to  be  safely  assaulted 
in  their  camp,  Greathonse  opened  a  communication  with 
them,  and  invited  them  to  come  and  drink  and  feast  at 
his  house.  A  party  of  armed  whites  'ay  concealed  in  a 
separate  apartment,  and  when  the  Indians  became  intoxi- 
cated, slaughtered  the  whole  number,  of  both  sexes,  spar- 


! 


THE  lUOQUOIS,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


200 


ing  only  oiio  cliild.  A  bn^tlicr  iiml  sister  of  T-oL^an  wci'c 
iimoiig  tlio  slain.  Mr.  Mayor's  accoinit  (in  which  tiio  .scono 
is  laid  at  the  liousc  of  "Baker,"  instead  of  Oreathouso,)  is 
as  follows: 

"The  cveniii'j;  before  the  tragedy,  a  S(jnaw  eaiue  over  to 
Baker's,  and  arcjused  the  attention  of  the  inmates  by  her 
tears  and  manifest  distress.  For  a  long  time  she  refused 
to  disclose  the  cause  of  her  sorrow,  but  at  last,  when  left 
alone  with  l>aker'd  wife,  confessed  that  the  Indians  had 
resolved  to  kill  the  white  woman  and  her  family  the  next 
dav,  but  as  she  loved  her,  and  did  not  wish  to  see  her 
slain,  she  had  crossed  the  river  to  divulge  the  plot,  so  as 
to  enable  her  friend  to  escape."  Next  day  four  unarme<l 
Indians,  with  three  sqanws  and  a  child,  came  over  to  Ba- 
ker's house,  where  twenty-one  men  were  concealed,  in 
aiitici})ation  of  attack,  as  above  mentioned.  'Vho  party 
became  intoxicated,  and  Logan's  brother  was  insulting  and 
abusive:  at  the  same  time  canoes  filled  with  painted  and 
armed  warriors  were  seen  starting  from  the  op|)Ositc  shore; 
upon  which  the  massticrc  commenced  as  above  stated. 
After  this  savage  mui'der  of  women  and  unarmed  men, 
the  whites  left  the  house,  and,  firing  upon  the  canoes,  pre- 
vented their  landing. 

These  occurrences,  with  the  death  of  the  old  Delaware 
chief.  Bald  Eagle,  who  was  causelessly  murdered,  scali)cd, 
and  set  adrift  down  the  river  in  his  canoe,  and  the  mui-der 
of  the  Shawanees  sachem.  Silver  Heels,  brought  down  the 
vengeance  of  the  aggrieved  parties  upon  the  devoted 
settlements. 

The  ensuing  summer  witnessed  terrible  sc  nes  of  surprise 
and  massacre,  the  chief  mover  in  which  was  the  injured 
Logan.  Stirred  as  he  was  by  revenge,  the  natural  kind- 
ness of  his  heart  was  shown  in  his  disposition  towards 
captives,  whom,  in  various  instances,  he  favored  and  saved 
from  Indian  cruelties. 


*  i'li 


m 


I 


'       ^9 


r 


3<)0 


INDIAN    UAl'K.S  uF  AMKUICA. 


T{i>  i 


m 


p 


'Vho  liDstilc  ti'ihos  wcic  those?  of  the  [rotiuois  wIk*  dwcU 
111  flic  wcHti'ni  ('oiiiitrv,  the  Sliuwiinoes,  tlic  Dcluwarcs,  tlic 
lowas,  ;m<l  other  natioiis  of  tlio  west,  Iiidecisivi'  skir 
inish(\s  occupied  the  siiiiiiMcr,  and  not,  until  tlic  lOth  of 
October  was  any  ,L'encral  (Mi,i^a,u;oni(Mit  hroii^lit  ahoiit. 
On  tliat  day  a  battle  was  foii,L,dit  at  Point  Pleasant,  where 
tho  (treat  Kanawha  empties  into  the  Ohio,  between  the 
cotnbined  Ibrccs  of  th(!  Indians,  and  the;  Virginia  troops, 
niidcr  (\)lonel  Andrew  Lewis.  Lord  Dunmore,  {^•overiior 
of  Virtrinia,  was  to  crtoi)erate  by  a  niovctnent  upon  tho 
other  b;ink  of  the  river,  but  did  not  actually  take  any  part 
in  the  contest. 

'^riie  Indians  nuTubcred  probably  over  a  thousand,  and 
were  led  by  LoL,^an  and  the  great  wai'i'ior  (.\)rnstock. 
Never  had  the  natives  fouy,ht  more  desperately,  or  made 
a  stand  against  European  troo{)S  with  more  deterniiii(>d 
firmness.  The}'  had  pre})ared  a  sort  of  breast-work,  b(>- 
hind  which  they  maintained  their  position,  in  spite;  of  the 
repeated  charges  of  the  whites,  until  night,  ^riiey  were 
at  last  driven  from  their  works  by  a  company  detached  to 
fall  upon  their  ri'ar,  and,  crossing  the  Ohio,  the  sur\ivor.s 
retreated  west\vard. 

7\t  Chilicothe,  on  the  Sciotn,  tho  chiefs  held  a  grand 
consultation;  and  their  principal  wari'ior,  Cornstock,  see- 
ing that  the  rest  wore  determined  upon  no  certain  jilan  of 
proceeding,  exjiressed  his  own  intention  of  concluding  a 
peace.  He  accordingly  sought  Lord  Dunmore,  who  Avas 
approacliing  the  camp  on  the  Sciota,  and  brought  about  a 
series  of  conferences,  whereby  hostilities  were  for  the 
time  stayed. 

Logan  would  take  no  part  in  these  negotiations;  he  is 
reported  to  have  said  tliat  "he  was  yet  like  a  mad  dog; 
his  bristles  Avere  up,  and  Avere  not  yet  quite  fallen ;  but  tlie 
good,  talk  then  going  forAvard  might  allay  them."  A  mcs 
senger  Avas  sent  by  Lord  Dunmore  to  strive  to  a})pcase 


TIIK   lllOQroiS,  Olt  SIX  NATIONS. 


81)1 


"1 


liim,  .'uul  it  \v'!is  ujioii  tliut  fHiciisioii  Unit  the  Iiidiiin  diicf 
(lclivi'n'(]  liiiiisi'U'or  lliosc  clcxiuciit  oxpi'i'ssioiis  tli:it  havo 
uttaiiu'd  micli  :i  world-wide  ccli'lirity.  He  wulkcil  into  \\\v. 
vvoodrt  with  (Jibsoii,  who  had  \)vv.n  scut  to  visit  him,  and, 
Heating  liiiiiscir  upon  ii  lo^f,  "Imrst  into  tears,"  and  ^'uvo 
uttcraiKHi  to  liis  Icclin^^s  in  ihcsu  words,  as  tlioy  were  writ- 
ten down  and  rcpoitod  at  tlie  time: 

"1  appeal  to  any  white  man  to  say  if  ever  lie  entered 
Lof^an's  eal/m  hun;^n'y,  and  he  gave  liim  not  meat;  iCc^ver 
he  eanie  eold  and  nalced,  and  lie  elothed  him  not?  During 
the  eourse  of  the  last  long  and  bloody  war,  JiOgan  re- 
nnined  idle  in  his  camp,  an  advoeate  for  peaee.  Sueli  was 
niy  love  tor  the  whites,  that  my  countrymen  jujinted  as  I 
passed,  and  said:  '  Ijogan  is  the  friend  of  the  white  man!' 
I  had  even  tliouiiht  to  have  lived  with  vou,  hut  for  the 
injuries  of  one  man.  Colonel  Cresap,  the  last  spring,  in 
cold  blood  and  unprovoked,  murdered  all  the  relations 
of  Logan,  not  even  sparing  my  woriuMi  and  ehildi'cn. 
There  runs  not  a  drop  of  niy  blood  in  the  veins  of  any 
living  creature.  This  called  on  me  for  revenge.  I  lur-e 
sought  it.  I  have  killed  many.  I  have  fully  glutteil  my 
vengeance.  For  my  countiy,  I  rejoice  at  the  beams  of 
peace;  but  do  not  harbor  a  thought  that  mine  is  the  joy 
of  fear.  Logan  never  felt  f(!ar.  He  will  not  turn  on  his 
heel  to  save  his  life.  Who  is  there  to  mourn  for  Logan? 
Not  one!" 

The  subsequent  history  of  this  renowned  warrior  is  soon 
told.  He  led  a  wandering,  intemperate  life  for  several 
years,  and  took  part  in  the  wars  at  tlie  west  in  1770  and 
1780.  He  is  described  as  having  become  melancholy  and 
wretched  in  the  extreme,  and  as  being  deprived  of  the  full 
use  of  his  reason  by  the  pernicious  habit  of  indulging  in 
strong  drink.  He  came  to  his  death  in  the  latter  year 
under  singular  circumstances.  lie  had,  as  he  supposed, 
killed  his  wife  during  a  lit  of  intoxication,  and  tied  ftom 


!  I 


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f 

, 

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,;  i^ 

t 

>  \ 

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^'fHI 


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m 

its 


■\A 


.  -     '.  il 
I 


■        T 

M 

'"'''  'ral 

V'';,:V^ 

■-,;           _. 

'.■-.;iij 

'a*M 

iMip 

'•.r  i^.,;Hl''5l 


802 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


Detroit,  where  lie  had  been  present  at  an  Indian  council, 
to  evade  tlic  pnnisliment  awarded  by  the  native  code. 
On  his  way  towards  Sandusky,  he  fell  in  with  a  large 
party  of  Indians,  among  whom  was  a  relative  of  his, 
named  Tod-kah-dohs,  and  whom  he  took  to  bo  the  one 
appointed  lo  avenge  the  murder.  According  to  ^[r.  May- 
er's account,  "  rashV.  bursting  forth  into  frantic  passion, 
he  exclaimed,  That  the  whole  party  should  fall  beneath 
his  weapons.  Tod-kah-dohs,  seeing  their  danger,  and  c>b- 
serving  that  Logan  was  well  armed,  told  his  companions 
that  their  only  safety  was  in  getting  the  advantage  of  the 
desperate  man  by  prompt  action.  Whilst  leaping  from 
his  horse,  to  execute  his  dreadful  threat,  Tod-kah-dohs 
levelled  a  shot-gun  within  a  few  feet  ,of  the  savage,  and 
killed  him  on  the  s};ot." 

It  may  well  be  supposed  the  whole  of  the  Iroquois 
tribe  should  have  been  roused  to  indignation  by  the  oc- 
currence which  we  have  described,  and  in  which  some  of 
their  own  brethren  had  borne  so  conspicuous  a  part. 
We  are  told  that  this  was  the  case  with  all  of  tliem  except 
the  Oneidas,  and  tliat  disaffection  towards  the  colonies  had 
become  general  among  the  western  tribes. 


4 1 


CHAPTER  IV. 

HISTOKY  OF  BRANT  CONTINUED:    CONNECTION  OF   THE   SIX  NATIONS 
WITH  THE  WAR  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


P 


Ix  the  year  1775,  when  difficulties  between  the  American 
colonies  and  the  old  country  were  rife,  and  tlie  prospect 
of  a  long  and  desperate  contention  kept  the  minds  of  all 
in  fear  and  anxiety,  it  was  felt  to  be  necessary  on  the  part 
of  the  Americans,  and  politic  on  the  part  of  the  English, 
to  use  every  endeavor  to  secure  the  services  of  the  Six 


r;= 


II 


THE  IROQUOIS,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


803 


Nations.  The  remembrance  of  their  noble  patron,  Sir 
"William  Johnson,  caused  the  Mohawks  and  many  others 
of  the  confederacy  to  adhere  firmly  to  his  son-in-law  and 
successor,  Guy  Johnson,  and  when  he  fled  westward  to 
the  lakes,  to  avoid  the  danger  of  capture  by  the  Amer- 
icans, Brant  and  the  principal  warriors  of  the  tribe 
accompanied  him.  A  great  meeting  was  held  by  them,  to 
discuss  the  policy  which  they  should  pursue;  after  which, 
Johnson  and  his  chiefs  proceeded  to  Montreal,  followed 
by  a  stxong  body  of  Indian  warriors.  Sir  Guy  Carleton 
encouraged  the  Iroquois  sachems  to  accept  commissions 
under  the  king,  and,  what  with  his  promises,  their  attach- 
ment to  the  Johnson  family,  and  the  remembrance  of  old 
pledges,  they  were  thorouglily  confirmed  in  their  purpose 
of  taking  a  decided  stand  in  favor  of  the  royal  cause. 

The  efforts  of  the  Americans  proved  less  successful.  By 
the  aid  of  a  Mr.  Kirkland,  missionary  to  the  Oneidas,  the 
favor  of  that  tribe  was  greatly  conciliated.  His  efforts 
were  assisted  by  the  influence  of  the  Indians  of  Stock- 
bridge,  a  town  in  western  Massachusetts.  These  were  the 
remains  of  various  celebrated  tribes  which  had  long 
ceased  to  maintain  a  separate  national  existence.  The 
principal  portion  of  them  were  descendants  of  the  ancient 
Moheakannuk,  Mohicans,  or  River  Indians,  who  dwelt  on 
the  banks  of  the  Hudson  in  the  early  times  of  American 
colonization ;  but  with  them  were  associated  many  of  the 
Narragansetts  and  Pequots,  from  Rhode  Island  and  Con- 
necticut. They  were  entirely  under  the  influence  of  the 
Americans,  and  favorable  to  their  cause. 

A  very  touching  incident  of  private  history,  connected 
with  this  collection  of  dismembered  tribes  after  their  re- 
moval westward,  has  been  immortalized  in  the  beautiful 
poetical  legend  by  Bryant,  entitled  "Monument  Mountain." 
The  mountain  stands  in  Great  Barrington,  (western  Mas- 
sachusetts,) overlooldng  the  rich  and  picturesque  valley  of 


t.  \lu 


iWHl 


•  IM 


■  '  ■',     ll?.*''- 


m$Ml 


;;()! 


INDIAN    KACKS  OF  AMKIMCA. 


tlic  lloiisalonii'..  Till!  roll()\viii,i<  iioh^  is  jippiNKlcd  to  tlic 
]H)(Mii.  "I'lilil  witiiiii  :i  frw  vr:ii's  |i;ist,  small  parties  of 
that  Irilu'  used  lo  ari-ixc,  IVom  llirir  setll»Miu>iit,  in  llio 
\\H\^tern  j)ai'l  ol'llic  stall'  ol'New  York,  on  visits  to  Stoi'k- 
bridp',  tlic  place  o\'  tlieir  nativity  and  lonnei'  residence. 
A  voiiui;' woman,  bi-lonuinii,"  to  one  oC  these  ])ai'ties,  related 
to  a,  I'riiMid  of  the  author  the  story  on  which  llu'  poem  of 
Monument,  Mountain  is  Ibunded.  An  Indian  i^irl  had 
foniuHl  an  atlachnient.  lor  her  cousin,  which,  acci)rdini;-  to 
the  eusloms  of  the  triiic,  was  unlawful.  Sh(>  was,  in  i-oii- 
se(puMU'(>,  sci/.tHJ  with  a  (h-ep  inelaiielioly,  and  resoUcd  to 
desiri>y  herself.  In  coinpany  with  a  female  friend,  she 
repairi'il  to  the  mountain,  decktHJ  out,  lor  the  occasion  in 
all  hcv  oi'naments,  and  aft.er  jtassiiii;"  the  day  on  tlu^  siiin- 
iiiit,  in  sini;in_u-,  with  her  coiu})anion,  the  trnditionaJ  st)n,!j;s 
of  lier  nation,  she  threw  hcivself  headlong  from  the  rock, 
and  was  killed." 

*     *     *     "IIi'iv  till'  tVii'inls  s;it  llit'in  down, 
And  sniifT  nil  day  old  soii<vs  of  love  and  (icatli, 
And  di'i'kt'd  tlio  jioor  wan  vii'lim's  Hair  willi  IIowith. 
And  prayi'd  that  satt>  and  swift  niii,rlit  bo  Iut  way 
To  tho  oalni  world  of  simshino,  wlicro  no  «jfrii'f 
Rlakivs  tlio  lioart  lu'aw,  and  llio  I'yelids  red." 


■'it. 


P 


A  conical  pile  of  stones  marks  the  s])ot  ^vhcre  slic  w^as 
buried,  on  the  southern  sh)pe  of  the  mountain. 

The  regular  successor  to  old  kin^'  llendrie,  ainoii"^  the 
^lohaw'ks.  was  Jjittle  Abraham,  u  chief  Avell  (hs})Ose(l 
towards  the  Americans,  and  wdio  remained  in  the  iXrolKUvk 
vallev  when  Johnson  and  his  ibllowers  fled  to  (Canada. 
lie  appears  to  liave  possessed  but  little  authority  ihiriiiij; 
the  subsequent  ditliculties,  and  Brant,  by  u  sort  of  univer- 
sal consent  among  those  in  tho  Englisli  interest,  obtained 
the  position  of  principal  chief.  He  was  commissioned  as 
a  captain  in  the  British  army,  and,  in  tlie  lidl  of  1775, 


mi 


TlIK  li:u(JI  OIS,  OK  SIX    NA'I'IONS. 


son 


sailed  l.()   I'^iigl;ui<l,  to  liold   pci'soniil  coiircroiicc  wiUi  the 
odicei'S  (>r  .^ovcniiiiciil. 

lie  \v;is  nil  object  ol'  iniicli  curiosity  ;it  liOiidoii,  and  ;it- 
1i';i<l('d  the  attention  oC  |n'rsoiis  of  liijjjli  riuiic  and  ^renX 
(•('Icliiitv.  His  conrl  dicss  wits  a,  brilliant  ei^nipnient  mod- 
eled iipoii  llie  (;islii(»!is  (.r  liis  own  lacc;  Uut  ordinarily  lie 
appeared  in  tlu;  usual  citi/.i'ii's  dress  ol'llie  time. 

('oiilirmed  in  liis  lovaltv  lo  llie  Mn^^lisli  crown,  l?i'ant. 
I'eliiriied  lo  America  in  tin;  cnsuiii!^  spring,  lie  w;iH 
seerelly  laiide(l  at  some  sjiot  iieai'  N(;vv  Yoi'lc,  and  mad(5 
llui  hest  oC  liis  way  to  Canada.  '^Fhe  jouriu\y  Wiis  fraught 
with  daiigei-  to  su(;li  a,  Iravciler,  through  a  disturbed  and 
e\eite<1  community,  hut  the  native  sagacity  and  watch- 
fulness of  t  lie  Iii(haii  ciiahlcd  our  chief  to  avoid  tliem. 

r.i'ant  was  gladly  rcc(^ived,  a,iid  th(^  services  of  liis  war- 
like Moliawks  were  pi'om]ttly  call<'d  inio  recpiisition.  IFc 
led  liis  people  at  the  affair  of  "tin;  ('(idai'S,"  wlii(;h  ternii- 
iiate(l  so  disastrously  for  the  American  intt'Tcsts.  \Vei;a,n- 
iiol  minutely  follow  his  niovemcnls,  nor  those  of  tlie  several 
jVoiluois  Iribt^s,  for  a  considcivable  period  subsequent  to 
lliese  e\-ents.  IMiose  wei'e  stirring  times,  and  in  the  mo- 
mentous d(!tail  of  tlu^  birlh  of  Americ^ari  iiidepcMidenee,  it 
is  not  always  (\isy  to  follow  out  any  private  history. 

ColoiK^l  Stoiu>,  in  his  life  of  liraiit,  gives  us  the  follow- 
ing speeeli,  as  coming,  at  tlu;  b(\ginning  of  the  ensuing 
vear,  from  lli(>  chiefs  of  the  Oneidas  to  Colonel  Klmorc, 
conuiiandaiit  at  fort  SchuykT.  He  does  not  attempt  to 
c.xpli'.in  the  full  import  of  it: 

"  FouT  SciiTjvi.ER,  .Inn.  IDiIi,  1777. 
"  Sprrch  of  the  Oneida  Chiefs  to  Colonel  Elmore. 

"Broth KM :  Wo  are  sent  here  by  the  Oneida  chiefs,  in 
conjunction  with  the  Onondagas.  They  arrived  at  our 
village  yesterday.  They  gave  us  the  melancholy  news 
that  the  grand  council-fire  at  Onondaga  was  extinguished. 
We  have  lost,  out  of  their  town,  by  death,  ninety,  among 
20 


'II   , 


<  ■>  I  ^i 


'■WT% 


f 


I  ' 


'106 


IN  1)1  AX   r. ACES  OF  A  M  1 : 1 ;  1  ( '  A . 


~'\ 


M'liom  are  three  principal  saclienis.  We,  tlie  remaining 
part  of  tlic  Ononflagas,  do  now  inform  our  br(^tliron  tliat 
there  is  no  lon^^cr  a  council-fire  at  the  capital  of  the  Six 
Nations.  However,  we  arc  determined  to  use  our  feeble 
cndeavoni's  to"  support  peace  through  the  confederate  na- 
tions. But  let  this  be  kept  in  mind,  that  the  council-fire 
is  extinguished.  It  is  of  importance  to  our  Avell-bcing, 
that  this  be  immediately  communicated  to  General  Schuy- 
ler, and  also  to  our  brothers  the  Mohawks,  Tn  order  to 
effect  this,  we  deposit  this  belt  with  Tekeyanedonhotte, 
Colonel  Elmore,  commander  at  Fort  Schuyler,  who  is  sent 
here  by  General  Schuyler  to  transact  all  matters  relative 
to  peace.  AVe  therefore  request  him  to  forward  this  intel- 
ligence, in  the  first  place  to  General  Herkimer,  desiring 
him  to  communicate  it  to  the  Mohawk  Castle  near  to  him, 
iind  then  to  Afajor  Fonda,  recpiesthig  him  to  immediately 
communicate  it  to  the  lower  castle  of  the  Mohawks.  Let 
the  belt  then  be  forwarded  to  General  Schuyler,  that  he 
may  know  that  our  council-fire  is  extinguished,  and  can 
no  lonGfcr  burn." 


W 


m 


To-\.-ards  the  close  of  the  "winter  of  1777,  it  was  found 
that  the  Indians  were  collecting  in  force  at  Oglikwaga,  on 
the  Susquehanna,  and  tlie  fears  of  the  colonial  j)opulation 
of  the  vicinity  were  justly  excited,  although  no  open  de- 
monstrations of  hostilit}^  had  been  n.ade  b}'-  them.  In  tlie 
couiv/^  of  tl)e  spring,  Brant  and  his  followers  proceeded 
across  the  country,  from  Canada  to  Oglikwaga.  lie  had 
disagreed  with  his  superior,  Guy  Johnson.  The  whites 
were  in  great  doubt  as  to  what  course  this  renowned  chief 
would  take  in  the  struggle  then  going  forward,  but  he 
seemed  onl}'-  to  occupy  himself  in  collecting  and  disciplin- 
ing his  warriors.  It  was  afterwards  ascertained  that  he 
was  the  leader  of  a  party  of  Indians  who  threatened  the 
little  f  n'tification  at  Cherrv-Vallev,  in  the  month  of  Afnv, 


THE  IROQUOIri,  OH  .SIX  XATiOXS. 


•S'Jl 


The  only  blood  shed  u})on  the  occusioii  \v;is  thiit  of  Lieu- 
tenant VVorniwood,  a  young  ofhcer  whom  the  Indians 
wayhiid  and  shot,  as  he  was  leaving  the  phice,  accompa- 
nied by  a  single  companion,  bearing  dispatches.  B^ant  is 
said  to  have  scalped  hini  with  his  own  hand.  The  Indian 
chief  was  deceived  as  to  the  strength  of  the  place,  by  the 
duplicity  of  the  dispatches,  and  by  the  circumstance  that 
a  number  of  boys  were  going  through  military  evolutions 
at  the  settlement,  whom  he  mistook,  in  the  dr/uance,  for 
soldiers,  lie  therefore  retired  without  making  any  further 
demonstration. 

In  -June,  he  visited  Unadilla,  on  the  small  river  of  the 
same  name,  which  empties  into  the  Susquehanna,  forming 
the  boundary  between  Otsego  and  Chenango  counties. 
Ilis  purpose  was  to  procure  provisions,  wdiich  were  per- 
force furnished  him ;  as  he  avowed  his  intention  to  take 
them  by  violence,  if  necessar}'.  At  a  conference  held,  at 
this  time,  with  some  of  the  authorities.  Brant  expressed 
himself  decidedly  in  favor  of  the  royal  cause,  alludiiig  to 
the  old  covenants  and  treaties  which  his  nation  had  in 
former  times  entered  into  with  the  king,  and  complaining 
of  ill-treatment  received  at  the  hands  of  the  colonists. 

Shortly  after,  during  this  same  month,  General  Herki- 
mer, of  the  i\inerican  militia,  took  a  strong  force  with 
him,  and  started  for  Brant's  head-quarters,  whether  with 
intention  of  attacking  him,  or  merely  to  treat  upon  terms 
of  equality,  hardly  appears. 

Brant  was  very  cautious  of  ti'usting  himself  in  the  ene- 
mies' hands,  lie  did  not  show  himself  for  a  week  after 
Ilerkinier's  arrival,  and  when  he  finall}^  appeared,  and 
consented  to  a  conference,  he  was  accompanied  and  de- 
fended by  live  hundred  Indian  warriors.  Every  precau- 
tion was  taken  against  treachery;  the  meeting  was  held  at 
a  temporary  building  erected  mid-way  between  the  two 
encampments,  and  the  resjDcctive  parties  Averc  to  assemble 


,4      .,1 


f:<,.'i 


l-ir^ 


'ill  ■*-/ 


}f  ■)■':■  vC 


I' 


I 


I'  ^ 


80S 


INDIAN'   RACKS  OF  AMElilCA. 


at  tlie  spot  unarnif^d.  'I'lic  Tiidian  cliicf  took  with  liim  a 
guard  of  about  foi'ty  waiTiors,  unJ  was  accompanied  by 
one  Captain  I'ull,  of  tlic  En,<i;lisli  party,  and  by  liis  nephew, 
Y/illiam  Jolinson,  a  son  of  Molly  J>rant  by  Sir  William. 

Goncral  liorlvinier  had  long  been  on  terms  of  fricndshij) 
with  Brant,  before  the  troubles  arose  between  England  and 
the  Amei'iean  colonies,  ar.d  ho  vainly  hoped  to  be  able  to 
influence  and  persuade  him  into  complaisance  towards  the 
ncAV  government.  Tliayendanegea  was  suspicious,  and 
looked  with  an  e^^l  eye  upon  the  hostile  array  of  troops, 
shrewdly  questioning  tiie  necessity  for  such  preparations 
for  a  mere  meeting  of  conference.  He  fully  confirmed  the 
supposition  that  lie  was  determined  to  support  the  king, 
and  evini^ed  a  proud  dependence  upon  the  power  and 
courage  of  his  own  tribe. 

The  parley  tei-minated  most  unsatisfoctorily,  and  another 
appoint uKMit  was  made.  We  are  sorry  to  record  an  in- 
stance of  such  unpardonable  treachery  as  Herkimer  is  said 
to  have  ]^lanned  at  this  juncture.  One  of  his  men,  Jose])h 
Waggoner,  affirmed  that  the  general  privately  exhorted 
him  to  arrange  luatters  fo  tliat  Brant  and  his  three  princi- 
pal assoc^iates  might  bo  assassinated  when  they  should 
present  tluunselves  at  the  place  of  meeting.  The  Indian 
chief,  when  he  came  to  the  council,  kept  a  large  body  of 
his  warriors  witliin  call,  so  that  the  design,  even  if  it  had 
been  sei'iously  entertained  by  Waggoner,  could  not  be 
safely  carried  out. 

Brant  counselled  the  general  to  go  quietly  home,  as  lie 
could  not  but  perceive  how  much  he  was  out-numbered  if 
his  intent  was  hostile.  He  disavowed  any  present  inimi- 
cal design.  Herkimer  accordingly  took  his  departure, 
and  Brant,  not  long  after,  marched  his  warriors  to  the 
J-Jritish  place  of  rendezvous,  at  Oswego.  Here  a  great 
council  was  held  with  the  Indian  tribes  by  English  emissa- 
ries, who  enlarged  upon  the  ingratitude  and  rebellioi.'s 


THE  IliOQL'OIS,  on  SIX  NAilONS. 


300 


spirit  of  tlic  provinces,  and  compaj'cd  tlie  power  and  wealth 
of  their  own  moniii'ch  with  the  poverty  of  the  Anierieans. 

Abundance  of  finer}'-  and  warlike  implements  were 
spread  Lcforc  the  greedy  eyes  of  the  warriors,  and  they 
were  told  thjit  "the  king  was  rich  and  powerful,  both  in 
money  and  subjects.  His  rum  was  as  plenty  as  the  -water 
in  Lake  Ontario,  and  his  men  as  numerous  as  the  sanils 
upon  its  shore;  and  the  Indians  were  assured  that,  if  they 
would  assist  in  the  war,  and  persevere  in  their  friendshij) 
for  the  king  until  its  close,  they  should  never  want  for 
goods  or  money." 

The  bargain  was  struck  accordingly,  and  each  warrior 
^\■ho  pledged  himself  to  the  royal  cause  received,  as  earn- 
est of  futare  fovors,  a  suit  of  clothes,  a  brass  kettle,  a 
tomahawk,  a  scalping-knife,  and  a  supply  of  annnunition, 
besides  a  small  prc.vscnt  in  money.  The  sagacity  and 
enterprise  of  tht;  chief,  whose  ]x)wer  was  now  almost 
universally  submitted  to  by  those  of  the  Six  Nn.tions  that 
favored  the  cause  of  tlie  king,  'rendered  tlie  alliance  a 
fbrniidable  one. 

The  gloomy  pi'ospects  of  the  colonies,  dislieartei'ed  as 
they  were  by  reverses  and  pecuniar}'  distress,  grew  tenfold 
darker  at  the  ap])rehension  of  such  a  bloody  and  cruel 
border  warfare  as  they  might  noAV  anticipate.  Exaggerated 
tales  were  every  where  circulated  of  the  extent  of  Indian 
depredations  and  cruelties.  There  was,  indeed,  sufFicient 
foundation  in  truth  for  the  greatest  apprehension  and  dis- 
tress. It  is  due  to  many  of  the  British  commanding 
oihcej'S  to  say  that  they  bitterly  regretted  the  association 
of  their  party  with  a  horde  of  ^iiurderous  savages,  over 
whose  acts  they  could  exercise  no  control,  when  out  of 
their  immediate  influence.  Burgoyne  refused  to  pay  the 
ex})ectcd  bounty  for  scal})s,  to  the  intense  disgust  of  his 
Indian  forces;  and,  to  the  remonstrance  on  the  part  of 
the  Amei'ican  general,  against  tlie  permission  of  the  bloody 


•1   r    .z 


)M) 


j  "-'^i^-^   \^-  mm 


'>:--:\i"j 


li 


/'  i 


p 


310 


INDIAN"  RACKS  OF  AMERICA. 


scenes  Avliicli  were  contiiinully  enacting,  lie  returned  at. 
eloquent  (liscliiiiiier  ol'  i)artici})tition  in  or  encouragement 
of  sucli  acts. 

A  large  population  of  tlio.sc  who  I'csicled  in  the  districts 
more  innuetliately  exposed,  were  driven  from  their  dwell- 
ings by  the  fear  of  Indian  cruelties.  During  Burgoync's 
advance,  an  incident  occurred  which  excited  the  strongest 
emotionsof  horror  and  indignation  throughout  the  country. 
We  allude  to  the  well-known  tale  of  the  murder  of  Miss 
Jane  McCrea.  Few  incidents  have  attracted  more  notice 
in  th'e  whole  course  of  Indian  warfare  than  tliis,  and  few 
have  been  reported  in  so  variant  and  distorted  a  stylo. 
Miss  ^IcCrea  was  the  daughter  of  a  gentleman  of  New 
Jersey,  and  was  residing,  at  the  pei'icxl  of  our  present 
narrativ(^,  with  her  brother  John,  near  Fort  Edward,  upon 
tlie  Ilvulson,  within  a  few  miles  of  Saratoga.  Her  family 
was  of  the  royal  party,  and  she  was  herself  engaged  to 
marry  a  yomig  officer  by  the  name  of  Jones,  then  on  duty 
in  Burgoync's  army. 

Tlie  ])romised  husband  commissioned  a  few  Indians  to 
go  to  the  young  lady's  dwelling,  and  escort  her  thence  to 
"the  British  camp.  Against  the  urgent  entreaties  of  her 
friends,  slie  put  herself  under  the  protection  of  these  un- 
certain messengers,  and  started  for  the  encampment.  Her 
lover,  anxious  that  his  errand  should  be  faithfully  })cr- 
fbrmed,  dis})atched  a  second  party  to  join  the  convoy.  The 
two  companies  met  a  short  distance  from  Fort  Edward, 
and  were  proceeding  together  when  they  were  attacked 
by  a  party  of  Americans.  "  At  the  close  of  the  skirmish," 
says  Stone,  "the  body  of  Miss  McCrea  was  found  among 
the  slain — tomahawked,  scalped,  and  tied  to  a  pine-tree, 
yet  standing  by  the  side  of  the  spring,  as  a  monument  of 
the  bloody  transaction.  The  name  of  the  young  lady  is 
inscribed  on  the  tree,  the  trunk  of  which  is  thickly  scarred 
with  the  bullets  it  received  in  the  skirmish.     It  also  bears 


1=    \: 


•■  -t 


r  T  — 


THE  IKCiQlOlS    Oi:  SIX  NATIONS. 


311 


the  date  1777."  IL^  citos  furtlior,  from  Silliman:  "Tradi- 
tion reports  tliat  tlin  Iiuliaiis  dividtMl  the  S(!alp,  and  that 
caeli  party  carried  lialf  oCit  to  the  a,!j;'onized  lover." 

The  aceonnt  u.sually  I'eccix-ed  of  the  manner  in  wlii(di 
her  deatli  was  brought  ahoiit  is,  that  the  chiefs  of  the  two 
Indian  companies,  cpiarrelling  as  to  wliich  should  receive 
the  rcwarri  (a  ])arrel  of  rum)  promised  by  Jones,  one  of 
them,  to  end  tlie  dispute,  bui'ied  his  tomahawk  in  the  head 
of  their  charge. 

During  tliis  month,  ('Tuly,)  General  Barry  St.  Leger 
marched  iVom  Oswego,  Avith  nearly  two  thousand  whites 
and  Indians — the  latter  led  by  ^riiaj^endanc^gea— to  the 
investiture  of  Fort  Stanwix.  This  stronghold  of  the  pro- 
vincial party  occupied  the  spot  where  Home  now  stands, 
in  Oneida  county,  near  the  head-waters  of  the  Aiohawk. 
^rhe  i^ost  was  afterwards  called  Fort  Schuyler.  The  forces 
of  St.  Leger  beset  the  fort  on  the  od  of  August. 

The  most  interesting  event  connected  with  the  part 
taken  by  tlie  Indians  in  this  siege,  is  the  bloody  battle  of 
Oriskany.  The  brave  old  soldier,  General  Herkimer,  with 
from  eight  hundred  to  a  thousand  militia  and  volunteers, 
hastened  to  relieve  the  garrison  as  soon  as  the  news  of  St. 
Leger's  design  was  brought.  Unfortunatolv,  the  English 
commander  obtained  information  of  the  approach  of  rein- 
forcements in  sufficient  season  to  prepare  an  and)useade  at 
a  s})ot  the  most  disadvantageous  possible  for  the  advancing 
troojDS.  Where  a  marsli}^  ravine,  over  which  the  path  of 
the  American  army  was  carried  by  a  causeway,  partially 
inclosed  a  dry  and  level  tract,  I'rant  and  his  Avarriors,  with 
a  body  of  English  troops,  lay  concealed.  Before  Ilerk'mcr 
and  his  men  were  aware  of  danger,  the  main  portion  of 
t  their  number  was  com}>letely  surrounded,  and  cut  off  fi-om 
tlie  bau'gati'e  and  rear-guard. 

Broken  and  disordered  by  tlie  murderou--!  and  unex- 
pected fire  of  the  enemy,  the  Americans  met  with  terrible 


1 1 


I; 


!| 


J*!?! 


.A 
'     •'J 


Mm 


:ir-J_ 


'tJA 


v. 


I  I 


■~~~7\ 


812 


INDIAN   liA(;KS  OF  A.MKKIOA. 


losrt,  li(-tivat  was  out  of  ihc  (|U('sti()ii,  ami  gradually,  en- 
couraged by  the  exliortalioiis  of  their  Imivc  eijunnauder, 
who,  although  sevc^nly  wounded,  sat  supjiorted  l>y  a  tree, 
coolly  issuing  his  onhu's,  tiny  formed  defensive  eii'cles. 
Such  scenes  ol'  desi)eratc  hand  to  hand  fighting  as  ensued 
liave  seldom  Lccn  record(>d.  'I'ho  destruction  on  both 
sides  was  great,  more  than  U\'o  hundred  of  the  Americans 
being  killed  on  the  spot.  IJoth  parties  laid  claim  to  a  vic- 
tory; but  it  ajipears  sunieicntly  certain  that  the  Indians 
were  dispersed,  Avhilc  the  ]n'ovincial  militia  held  their 
ground.  ^Fhe  })urpose  of  the  advance  was,  indeed,  defeated, 
except  so  far  as  it  gave  opportunit}'  for  a  successful  sally 
from  the  fort,  in  which  the  British  were  driven  froni  their 
cncam})ment,  and  a  great  quantity  of  valuable  booty  was 
obtained. 

One  who  passed  the  spot  where  the  battle  of  Oriskany 
was  fought,  a  few  days  afterward:-;,  writes:  "I  beheld  the 
most  shocking  sight  I  had  ever  witnessed,  ^fhe  Indians 
and  white  men  were  mingled  with  one  another,  just  as 
they  had  been  left  when  death  had  first  completed  his 
work.  Many  l)odies  liad  also  been  torji  to  pieces  by  wild 
beasts."  '^J'hc  veteran  eomm.ander  of  the  provincials  died 
in  consecpience  of  the  wouiu.l  he  had  rncoivcd.  ^j^h-e  loss 
cxpcj'ienced  by  the  Mohawks  and  others  of  the  Six 
Nations  who  took  part  in  the  engagement,  was  long  re- 
membered and  lamented  by  their  tribes. 

Notwithstanding  the  reverses  that  followed ;  the  discom- 
fiture of  the  English;  the  growing  power  and  confidence 
of  the  Americans;  and  the  long  and  chxpient  appeal  of 
mingled  warning  and  conciliation  comnninicated  to  them 
by  Congress,  all  of  the  Six  Nations  excejit  the  Oneidas 
and  the  Tuscaroras  remained,  at  the  cTose  r  f  the  yi^ir,  fast 
friends  of  the  king.  The  povert}^  of  the  colonies  ])rohib- 
ited  that  display  of  rewards  which  the  loyalists  could 
proifer,  and  constant  intimacy  enabled  the  politic  oHlcera 


:i.il 


THE  IHOQUOIrt,  OK  SIX  NATIONS. 


313 


of  tlio  crown  to  sway  the  igiiorunt  miiMls  of  tlio  Indians, 
and  to  teuch  tlicni  to  look  upon  tln-ir  wliito  coniitrytnen  as 
an  unprincipled  pco')lc,  cngiigod  in  a  hopeless  as  well  as 
causeless  rebellion. 


ClIAPTEIl  Y. 

CONTINUATJION  OF  HKVOI.irriON  A  KY  INCUDKNTS. 

TuE  year  1778  oj)cne(l  uiil'avonihly  lor  American  in- 
fluence over  the  border  savages.  Johnson  and  JUitler, 
aided  by  Joseph  JJrant,  in  behalf  of  the  crown,  had  been 
unwearied  in  their  ellbrls  to  win  over  the  Indians  of  the 
west  to  their  master's  cause.  In  vain  was  a  council  called 
by  the  provincial  congress  for  the  purpose  of  making  one 
more  ellbrt  to  induce  the  Six  Nations  to  ado[)t  a  neutral 
policy.  An  incom})lcte  deputation,  from  all  the  ti'ibes 
except  the  Seneeas,  did  indeed  assemble  at  Johnstown,  in 
Tryon  county,  during  the  month  of  March,  the  result  of 
which  meeting  only  strengthened  the  conviction  that  noth- 
ing but  enmity  was  to  be  looked  for  on  the  part  of  the 
great  body  of  the  nation.  There  was  too  great  reason  to 
fear  that  the  Indians  of  the  far  west  were  successfully 
dealt  with  by  emissaries  on  the  part  of  the  loyalists. 

Brant  returned  to  his  old  quarters  at  Oghkwaga,  and  its 
vicinity,  and  lent  himself  heart  and  soul  to  the  work  of 
harassing  and  plundering  the  colonists.  Although,  as 
the  chief  of  his  nation,  no  snudl  portion  of  the  enormities 
committed  by  the  Indian  predatory  bands,  was  attributed 
to  his  direct  influence,  it  is  due  to  ]5rant  to  say,  that  few 
an:ong  his  companions-in-arms  showed  an  equal  regard  for 
the  laws  of  humanity.  AFany  an  instance  is  recoi'ded  of 
his  interfei'cnce,  even  in  the  heat  of  conflict,  to  stay  the 
hau  I  uplifted  against  the  feeble  and  helpless.     lie  was,  it 


:-1, 


^   1  -i 


,  I 


■1-4  ill 


"  '  ,  i. 

T' 


'^^'^:i 


■■^,•1? 


J 


•^  :  Jl 


^-m 
f*!'' 


8U 


INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AMi;Ul''A. 


;fi 


p 


is  tni(>,  a  fiorco  jiartisnii  ■warrior,  and,  in  oii(»  of  liis  letters, 
uvowetl  his  intent  to  "lidit.  the  ernel  rebels,"  as  well  as  ho 
cou'il;  bnt  he  seldom,  if  ever,  evinced  that  savaii'e  cruelty 
towai'ds  a  coiH^uereil  loo  which  disgraced  his  Indian  and 
white  associates. 

While  the  wai'  lasted,  there  was  no  rest  or  safety  for  tho 
inhahitants  of  that  extensive  district  Lorderin,^'  on  tho 
enemies'  country— fi'oni  Saratoga,  south-westward  to  tho 
Sus(|uehanna.  Hrant  comnieneed  opei'ations  in  person,  hy 
an  attack  on  Spi'ingfield,  a  small  ])laco  at  the  head  of  Ot- 
Begolak'c.  He  di'oN'e  (iff  (jr  look  j)risouers  all  tho  men,  and 
asscmliling  th(>  widmcu  ami  childi'cn  for  safety,  burneil  all 
the  town  e.\cej)t  the  lu^use  where  they  were  collected.  Ho 
then  retinu],  olfering  theiu  no  injury. 

In  the-  laLler  pai't  of  June,  a  descent  was  })lanned  upon 
tho  settlements  in  the  \'alley  of  Wyoming,  upon  tlu^  Sus- 
quehanna, in  the  north-easl(M'n  part  of  Pcnnsyh'aiiiii. 
Some  tiii'ee  huiidi'cd  Jh'itish  regulars  and  toi'V  \ohMit(M!ra, 
accompanied  b}'  about  fne  liundie'd  of  their  Indian  allies, 
inarche(l  from  Niagara,  'rhey  avci'c  led  by  Colonel  .John 
liutlei'.  ll  has  been  a  (-ommoidy  received  opinioji  that 
IJrant  was  the  chief  under  wliom  the  Indian  portion  of  the 
army  was  nnistered,  but  it  is  now  believed  that  he  liad  as  lit- 
tle share  in  this  cann)ai!j;n  as  in  manv  other  scenes  oi"  blood 
long  coupled  w^ith  his  name.  '^J'hcre  is  no  proof  that  ho  was 
present  at  any  of  the  scenes  that  wo  are  about  to  relate. 

iS'o  portion  of  the  whole  history  of  the  revolution  has 
been  so  distorted  in  the  iiarration  as  that  connected  with 
the  laying  »vaste  of  the  valley  of  Wyoming.  No  two  ac- 
counts seem  to  agree,  and  historians  have  striven  to  out-do 
eacl)  other  in  the  violence  of  their  expressions  of  indigna- 
tion, at  cruelties  and  horrors  which  existed  only  in  their 
own  imaginations,  or  which  came  to  them  embellished 
with  all  the  exaggeration  incident  to  reports  ai'isiug  amid 
scenes  of  excitement  and  bloodshed. 


■y 


TlIK   Illoyi'OIM,  OK  SIX  NATIONS. 


Sir. 


Wyoming  liiul,  for  iruiiiy  yvara,  Ix'tn  tlio  scene  of  tlio 
bitterest  liustility  betwijeti  tlie  settlers  niider  tlic  Coniietti- 
ciit  grant  und  those  from  PennsylyjiniM.  Althougli  tlieso 
Wiirliice  optjrations  were  upon  ji  smiill  scale,  they  wwv  eon- 
(luctecl  with  great  vlndietiveness  and  treaeheiy.  r»l«ii(d 
was  frequently  shed;  and,  as  either  i>arty  obtained  the  as- 
cendancy, small  favor  was  shown  to  their  opponents,  who 
were  generally  driven  fi'om  their  liomes  in  hopeless  desti- 
tution. AVe  camiot  go  into  a  liistory  of  these  early  trans- 
actions, and  oidy  mention  them  as  e\planat(^ry  of  the 
feelings  of  savage  animosity  whic;li  were  exhilnted  l)t;tweeii 
neighbors,  and  even  members  t)f  the  same  families,  who 
had  es})oused  opposite  interests  in  the  revolutionary  liontest. 

As  John  Butler  and  his  forceps  entered  the  mirtli-west- 
ei'u  portion  of  the  valley,  having  descended  the  Sus([ue- 
lianna  upon  rafts,  th(!  inhabitants  of  the  sevei'al  towns 
made  the  best  ]n'e)>a rations  in  tlu'ir  power  to  resist  the  in- 
vasion. Colonel  Zebulon  ]3utler  was  in  command  of  a 
company  of  regular  continental  ti'oo})s,  and  with  about 
three  hundred  of  tlie  militia,  collected  in  the  valley,  ho 
marched  on  the  8d  of  'July,  to  check  and,  if  possible, 
disperse  the  invaders.  It  was  intended  to  take  the  enemy 
by  surprise  at  their  encampment,  (at  Fort  Wintermoot,) 
but  the  vigilance  of  tlie  Indian  sentinels  betrayed  the  ad- 
vancing forces.  They  found  the  royalists  drawn  uji,  and 
ready  to  give  them  battle.  Their  line  was  extended  from 
the  river,  on  their  left,  to  a  nuirsh,  l>eyond  which  rose  the 
mountain  range  which  bounded  the  valley.  The  Indian 
\varri(jrs  were  stationed  at  the  right  by  tlie  boi'dei's  of 
the  swamp. 

The  whole  line  was  simultanecjusly  attacked  by  the 
provincials,  as  they  came  up.  Colonel  Dennison,  who 
commanded  the  left  wing  of  the  American  army,  ]»ei'ceiv- 
ing  that  a  strong  body  of  the  Indians  had  lojved  their  way 
throu'di  the  marsh,  and  wei'e  about  to  altaek  him   in  the 


f 


■rp*^ 


■   f 


H./i 


v'nifiim 


I*'   i.: 

'■  "i 


li 


i  HI 


tii  iii>4v','«'K 


■  i 

if 


31G 


INDIAN  KACKS  OF  A:\IKKTC'A. 


I  „ 


rear,  gave  an  order  to  fall  back,  tluit  his  troops  might  Jioi 
be  surrounded.  Tliis  command  was  'nistaken  for  an  order 
to  retreat,  and  the  rcsnl.t  was  a  complete  rout  and  a  disor- 
derly flight.  The  Indians,  now  completely  in  their  ele- 
ment, fell  upon  the  helpless  stragglers  with  tomahaAvk  arid 
knife.  About  fifty  of  the  Americans  are  said  to  have 
escaped  by  swimming  the  river,  or  by  clambering  the 
mountains,  and  concealiii'ji:  themselves  in  the  forest:  the 
rest  all  perished  upon  the  field. 

Most  of  tlie  inhabitants  of  the  valley  sought  safety  from 
the  victorious  armv  in  flight.  Those  who  remained  be- 
took themselves  to  Fort  AVj'oining.  On  the  next  day,  July 
4th,  the  I>ritish  colonel  approached  the  fort,  and  demanded 
an  unconditional  surrender,  A  capitulation  was  finally 
agreed  upon,  by  the  terms  of  u'hich  the  occupiers  of  lands 
ill  the  valley  were  to  be  protected  in  the  peaceable  enjoy- 
ment of  tlieir  property.  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  and  tln! 
remnant  of  liis  regulars  had  made  their  escape,  and  it  was 
agreed,  b\'  the  olllcer  remaining  in  command,  that  the 
fort  should  be  demolished,  '.riie  result,  however,  was  the 
almost  entire  destruction  of  the  settlement.  The  rapacity 
of  the  undisciplined  Indian  forces,  tempted  by  the  o])por- 
tunity  for  plunder,  eonld  not  be  restrained;  and  the  long- 
cherished  rancour  of  partisan  enmity  between  fellow-coun- 
trymen had  full  opportunit}'  to  satiate  itself 

The  rich  and  highly-cultivated  farms  were  laid  waste, 
and  iheir  unfortunate  proprietors,  flying  from  their  burn- 
ing lionies,  were  reduced  to  the  greatest  extremities,  ^fany 
are  said  to  have  perished  in  the  wilderness,  whither  they 
had  lied  for  safety.  From  the  tales  of  the  wretched  out- 
casts wlio  were  dispersed  over  the  country,  as  published 
at  the  tiin(>,  many  incidents  have  been  copied  into  modern 
histories,  which  we  know  Id  be  false  or  grossly  exniirer- 
ated.  War  is  (■very  way  an  enormous  evil,  and  wIkmi 
carried  on  by  an  ignorant  and  barbarous  peoph',  to  whom 


THE   UIOQVOIP,  OR  SO  NATIONS. 


3i: 


ilic  refinements  of  so-called  civilized  warfare  arc  unknown, 
must  necessarily  involve  seein\s  of  terror  and  desolation; 
but  at  the  time  of  which  we  are  now  speaking,  the  great- 
est atrocities  appear  to  have  been  committed  by  whites. 
Wc  will  give  a  single  incident  as  illustrative  of  the  spirit 
of  the  times.  Several  of  tlic  loyalists  had  pursued  some 
fugitives  of  the  provincial  militia  to  an  island  in  the  river. 
One  of  these  being  ferreted  out  from  his  place  of  conceal- 
ment, recognized  his  own  brother  among  the  enemy,  and, 
falling  upon  his  knees,  begged  humbly  for  his  life.  The 
greeting  and  response  of  the  unnatural  brother  are  thus 
recorded:  "So  it  is  you,  is  it?" — "All  this  is  mighty  fine, 
but  you  are  a  damned  rebel.'' — Saying  which,  he  deliber- 
ately levelled  his  rifle,  and  shot  him  dead  upon  the  spot." 

At  the  north,  limntiuul  Lis. Indians  continued  to  be  a 
source  of  terror  and  annuyance.  Besides  many  minor 
dcpredai:ions,  they  burned  and  plundered  the  rich  and 
thriving  settlement  of  the  German  Flatts,  upon  the  up])er 
waters  of  the  Mohawk.  The  inhabitants  had  suHieiont 
notice  of  the  attack  to  be  able  to  secure  tliemsclves  in  the 
neiu:hboring  forts,  but  thev  could  do  nothin'.r  to  preserve 
their  homes,  or  to  save  the  fruits  of  a  summer's  toil  from 
plunder  or  destruction.  This  injury  was  retaliated  by  the 
invasion  of  the  nott^l  establishments  of  the  Indian  cliief  at 
Oghkwaga  and  Unadilla.  A  ])arty  of  friendly  Oneidas 
lent  themselves  to  this  service,  and  succeeded  in  bringing 
off  some  booty  and  prisoners.  A  more  important  inroad 
was  made  by  Colonel  William  Butler,  with  a  Pennsylvania 
regiment.  He  entered  the  towns  of  Unadiila  and  Oghk- 
waga, and,  iinding  them  deserted  by  the  Indians,  buriu^d 
and  destroyed  the  buildings,  together  with  large  stores  of 
provision  intended  for  winter  use. 

The  Indians  were  greatly  exasperated  at  this  heavy  loss, 
and  it  was  not  diflicult  for  the  English  to  excite  them  \n 
})n>nipt  '-xertions  lln-  rev(>ngc.     The  Senccas  \ver(^  d'srov- 


;  I 


1 


I 


._] 


■iii;;it;  :,m 


^j'\m 


p. 

IN 

I  ' ;'  ■ 


318 


INDIAN  EACES  OF  AMERICA. 


'♦';• 


P 


I  I 


.  I 


crcd  to  be  in  arms,  and  assuming  a  hostile  attitude  very 
slioiily  after  these  events;  and  one  of  tlieir  ehiefe,  "The 
Great  Tree,"  wlio  had  been  spending  the  summer  with  the 
Amerieans,  and  had  assoeiated  during  that  time  upon 
£i-iendly  terms  Avith  General  AVashington,  had  now  re- 
turned to  his  people  with  altered  demeanor  and  purposes. 
lk(']^'ortshad  been  eirculated  among  the  Indians  of  this  and 
other  tribes  that  the  ^Vmericans  were  planning  an  invasion 
of  their  country. 

Early  in  November,  (1778,)  the  younger  Butler,  Walter, 
led  a  force  of  seven  hundred  men  from  Niagara  to  attack 
the  settlement  at  Cherry- Valley.  The  majority  of  the 
party  consisted  of  Indians  under  the  command  of  Thayen- 
danegea.  The  place  of  their  destination,  a  beautiful  and 
prosperous  village,  not  far  from  Otsego  lake,  was  defended 
by  a  fortification  garrisoned  by  troops  under  Colonel  Tch- 
abod  Alden.  The  commander  received  intimation,  from 
an  Oneida  messenger,  of  the  dangerous  position  of  the 
place,  but,  being  incredulous,  or  supposing  that  there  was 
[d)undance  of  time  for  preparation,  he  was  in  no  condition 
for  resistance  when  the  blow  fell.  The  inhabitants,  instead 
(jf  seeking  the  protection  of  the  fort,  were  scattered  amontr 
their  several  habitations. 

The  Indian  savages  made  the  first  onslaught,  and,  throw- 
ing aside  all  restraint,  massacred  men,  women  and  children 
indiscriminatel}^  Many  of  the  tories  belongir.g  to  the 
party  are  said  to  have  shown  a  spirit  of  ferocity  equal  to 
that  of  the  worst  of  barbarians.  The  officer  in  command. 
Walter  N.  Butler,  repeatedly  asserted,  in  after  communi- 
cations, that  he  used  his  best  endeavors  to  stay  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  helpless  children  and  females,  and  there  is  no 
doubt  but  that  Brant's  inclinations  turned  in  the  same 
direction.  Specific  instances  are  reported  in  which  the 
J^lohawk  chief  interfered,  and  successfully,  to  arrest  the 
m urderous  torn ahawk. 


According  to  tlic' 


r  account,  the 


r~i-.. 


THE  IROQUOIS,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


319 


ludiaus  were  exasperated  at  tlicir  losses  at  Oglikwaga 
and  Unadilla,  and,  becoming  heated  with  the  excitement 
of  the  attack,  were  in  complete  disorder,  and_  in  no  degree 
amenable  to  discipline.  Wherever  the  bhime  hiy,  tlie 
result  was  terrible :  about  hfty  soldiers  and  inhabitants 
fell  by  the  tomahawk,  among  the  latter  of  whom  the  larger 
portion  consisted  of  women  and  children.  The  whole 
village  was  burned  to  the  ground,  and  the  rich  stores  of 
provisions  were  destroyed.  Thirty  or  forty  prisoners  were 
taken,  but  of  these,  the  women  and  children,  with  a  few 
exceptions,  were  shortly  after  set  at  liberty,  as  unable  to 
endure  the  march. 

Mrs.  Campbell,  one  of  those  who  was  retained  as  a 
hostage,  because  of  the  prominent  part  taken  by  her  hus- 
band in  the  American  cause,  has  given  very  interesting 
descriptions  of  Indian  ceremonies  and  manner  of  life. 

The  Onondagas,  throughout  these  campaigns,  while,  as 
a  tribe,  they  did  not  openly  profess  themselves  inimical  to 
the  Americans,  were  individually  concerned  in  no  small 
number  of  the  foraj^s  and  scalping  expeditions  whereby 
the  border  country  was  harassed.  In  April,  of  1779,  it 
was  determined  to  destroy  their  settlements,  and  Colonel 
Yan  Schaick,  with  a  sufficient  force,  was  despatched  for 
the  purpose.  He  was  ordered  utterly  to  lay  waste  the 
whole  of  their  towns;  to  destroy  all  their  cattle  and  pro- 
perty; and  to  take  as  many  prisoners  as  possible.  lie 
did  not  succeed  in  surprising  the  Indians,  as  he  had  pur- 
posed: their  scouts  carried  intelligence  of  his  advance  in 
season  for  most  of  them  to  escape  to  the  woods;  but  their 
improvements  and  dwellings  Avere  left  undefended,  at  the 
mercy  of  the  assailants.  The  colonel  oljeyed  his  orders  to 
the  letter,  and  left  nothing  but  blackened  ruins  behind 
him  in  his  progress  through  the  Indian  villages.  The 
dwellings,  tlie  horses,  cattle,  and  stored  provisions  of  the 
unfortunate  tribe  were  all  destroyed,  and  the  Americans 


LT 


■•'m 


ir>.  <m 


,'.'■ 


(iir'tj 


'1' 

m 

»-9'fBM 

m 

■  ■  i 

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rfi 

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1 

1 

i  If,' 

■1 

■     -  >  ',    w-Ak 


.«!,.'. •"•.■« 


*i  ^A*> 


820 


INDIAN  RACKS  OF  A^rEl!TCA. 


,'»'  I 


$* 


returned  to  iilieir  quarters,  without  tlic  loss  of  a  man, 
taking  with  them  tliirty-three  prisoners.  About  twelve 
of  the  Onondagas  were  killed  during  the  expedition. 

The  friendly  Oncidas  were  closely  connected  with  this 
tribe,  and  they  felt  and  expressed  a  natural  sympathy  with 
their  misfortunes.  The  Onondagas  were  greatly  exasper- 
ated, and  their  war-parties  continued  to  hover  around  the 
border  settlements,  ever  ready  to  tiike  advantage  of  any 
unwariness  on  the  part  of  the  whites. 

In  the  months  of  July  and  August,  of  this  year,  (1779,) 
Brant  signalized  himself  by  various  successful  expeditions. 
lie  plundered  and  destroyed  the  little  town  of  ALinisink, 
near  the  Del''\are  river,  in  Orange  county,  New  York,  and 
defeated  a  bod}^  of  the  jnilitia  who  undertook  to  follow  his 
trail,  in  hopes  of  recovering  the  booty  he  hud  secured, 
and  of  avenging  the  ruin  he  had  caused.  Some  interesting 
incidents  are  recorded  as  connected  with  this  battle.  So 
skillfully  did  the  Mohawk  chief  anticipate  and  oppose  the 
movements  of  his  pursuers,  that  he  seciu'ed  an  advantage 
in  position  which  gave  liim  a  signal  victory.  A  large 
proportion  of  the  whites  were  slain.  We  are  told  that, 
after  the  battle,  Biant  saw  a  wounded  officer  lying  upon 
the  field,  in  a  hopeless  condition,  but  retaining  sufficient 
strength  to  converse.  Unwilling  to  leave  the  unfortunate 
man  to  be  torn  in  pieces  by  wolves,  who  would  be  sure  to 
collect  as  night  came  on,  he  determined,  from  motives  of 
humanity,  to  dispatch  him.  lie  therefore  commenced  a 
conversation  with  him,  and,  watching  his  opportunity, 
put  an  end  to  his  sufferings  unawares,  by  a  blow  of  the 
tomahawk. 

On  this,  as  on  most  other  occasions  in  which  the  Mo- 
hawk chief  was  engaged  in  active  hostilities,  the  most 
contradictory  reports  have  been  recorded  concerning  his 
conduct  and  demeanor.  The  leader  is  generally  eom)»elled 
to  bear  tlie  blanip  of  all  the  excesses  committed  l)y  his 


THE  TJlOQFOTr 


•^IX  XATrONS. 


001 
o ..  L 


followers,  and  it  is  no  cosy  tosk,  at  tliis  distanco  of  time, 
to  decide  upon  the  ti-utli  of  niuny  tales  reported  under 
circumstances  of  confusion  and  excitement. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

GENERAL    SULLIVAn's    CAMPAIGN    AGAINST    THE    IROQUOIS — 
SUBSEQUENT  WARLIKE  OPERATIONS  OF  THE   NATIO^. 

While  the  events  wliicli  we  have  just  described  were 
transpiring,  prepara,tions  were  going  on  for  a  more  formid- 
able invasion  of  the  Indian  territorv  than  had  before  hcon 
attempted  by  the  Americans.  The  annoyance  of  an  un- 
certain border  warfare  had  become  so  intolerable^  that  it 
was  deemed  necessary  to  put  a  stop  to  it  by  the  entire 
destruction  of  the  Iroquois  towns  and  settlements.  In 
pursuance  of  a  resolution  of  Congress,  the  commander-in- 
chief,  General  AVashington,  made  arrangements,  in  the 
spring  of  1779,  to  send  a  large  force  into  the  heart  of  the 
enemies'  country,  with  directions  to  burn  and  desti'oy  all 
their  towns;  to  lav  waste  their  fields  and  orchards,  to  take 
as  many  prisoners  as  practicable;  an<l,  in  a  word,  to  do 
the  enemy  all  the  injury  possible.  The  command  of  the 
expedition  was  bestowed  upon  General  Sullivan,  who  was 
directed  to  ascend  the  Susquehanna,  with  troops  fi-oni 
PcnnsAdvania,  and  to  form  a  junction  with  the  northern 
forces  at  Tioo;a,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Chemuno;.  Tlie 
detachment  from  the  north,  under  General  Clinton,  con- 
sisting of  Jifteen  hundred  men,  marched  from  Canajoharie, 
on  the  Mohawk,  for  Otsego  Lake,  (from  Avhich  flows  the 
Susquehanna)  about  tlie  middle  of  June.  Tliey  carried 
with  them,  over-land,  two  hundred  batteaux,  in  whicli  to 
descend  the  I'iver  to  'fioga. 
21 


I 


I 


!  Jl 


m 


'1 '  »i 


•m 


t, 

'-•#1 

■  '■   '^  ■■   ■■ 

-,.■■.... 

1     ■  »  - 

'^3 

.     y't^ 

'  i^I^SI 

'K'  ■ 

>':''l99 

r 

r 


'If 


P 


i 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


It  was  intended  tliat  Clinton  should  tuko  with  him  a 
body  of  Oneida  warriors,  but  this  purpose  was  frustrated 
by  the  efforts  of  General  Ilaldimand,  on  behalf  of  the  king 
of  Great  Britain.  This  oflicer  sent  a  letter,  written  in  their 
own  tongue,  to  the  Oneidas,  upbraiding  them  with  the 
breach  of  ancient  treaties,  and  threatening,  if  they  pro 
sumcd  to  engage  in  open  warfare  against  the  royalists,  to 
let  loose  upon  them  such  a  horde  of  his  Indian  allies  as 
sh(>uld  utterly  destroy  them.  The  effect  of  this  e2)istlc 
was  to  keep  the  Oneida  warriors,  with  very  few  exceptions, 
at  home,  that  they  might  be  in  readiness  to  guard  tlieir 
fonalies  and  homesteads  from  the  threatened  invasion. 

Owing  to  delays  at  the  south,  Clinton  did  not  receive 
orders  to  remove  from  Otsego  until  August.  He  had,  in  the 
mean  tinie,  dammed  the  outlet  of  the  lake,  so  that  a  givat 
body  of  water  had  accumulated.  "When  his  troops  were 
embarked,  the  obstruction  was  removed,  and,  aided  by 
the  unusual  flow,  the  flotilla  swept  rapidly  arjd  smoothly 
down  the  stream.  On  the  22d  of  August  the  meeting  at 
Tioga  was  effected.  Five  thousand  men,  well  armed  and 
provisioned,  were  now  concentrated,  and  ready  to  pour 
upon  the  devoted  towns  of  the  hostile  Iroquois. 

''I'he  attempt  to  keep  the  expedition  a  secret  from  the 
eneni}'  would  have  been  utterly  useless,  from  the  length 
of  time  required  for  the  ])reparatory  movements.  The 
campaign  was  anticipated,  but  no  adequate  force  was  pro- 
vided Lo  resist  the  American  arm}-.  Tlie  only  battle  wh'uAx 
took  place  was  at  Newtown  on  the  bank  of  the  Chemung, 
near  tlie  })resent  town  of  Elmira.  Here  a  force,  variously 
estimated  at  from  eight  to  fifteen  hundred,  and  ccmsistiiiu; 
of  Indians  under  Thayendanegea,  and  whites  commanded 
by  the  two  Butlers,  and  by  Sir  John  and  Guy  Johnson, 
was  advantageously  intrenched. 

A  brave  and  obstinate  resistance  was  made  to  the  ad- 
vance of  the  Americans,  but  supei-ior  numbers  prevailed, 


:i.-j 


h  '  iT 


f!  "yr"*  T  '^''S'l 


..  _..._^ 


THE  lUOQL'OIS,  Oil  SIX  NATIONS. 


323 


and  the  ciiumy  was  driven  across  tlio  river,  after  sulTcring 
considerable  loss.  I'liis  was  the  only  attempt  of  anj^  im- 
portance tliat  was  made  to  defend  tlie  country  from  ravage 
and  destruction.  Pursuing  his  course  westward,  General 
Sullivan  obeyed  his  orders  to  the  letter.  Every  where 
the  well-built  towns  and  flourishing  corn-fields  of  the  con- 
federate nations  were  reduced  to  utter  ruin.  These  Indian 
tribes  had  made  no  little  advance  in  the  arts  of  civiliza- 
tion. The  Mohawks  had  mostly  fled  to  Canada  in  the  early 
times  of  the  revolution,  but  others  of  the  Iroquois,  ]iar- 
ticularly  the  Cayugas  and  Senecas,  had  continued  to  culti- 
vate their  fields  and  maintain  possession  of  the  homes  of 
their  forefathers,  [mmcnse  orchards  of  apple  and  other 
fruit-trees  were  growing  luxuriantly  around  tlicir  habita- 
tions, but  all  fell  beneath  the  axe  of  the  destroyers.  The 
movement  of  so  large  a  bodj^  of  troops  was  necessarily 
slow,  and  as  no  j)recautions  were  taken  to  conceal  their 
operations,  the  Indians  were  every  where  enabled  to  escape 
to  the  woods.  It  must  have  been  with  feelings  of  the  bitter- 
est  rage  and  despair  that  they  saw  the  labor  of  so  many  years 
rendered  useless,  and  thought  of  the  coming  winter,  which 
must  overtake  them,  a  wandering  and  destitute  peopl(>, 
who  must  perish,  or  rely  for  aid  upon  their  Canadian  allies. 
The  whole  month  of  September  Avas  spent  in  the  work 
of  destruction.  The  course  of  the  march,  after  the  battle 
of  Newtown,  was  first  to  Catharine's  Town,  near  the  head 
of  Seneca  lake;  thence  to  Kanadaseagea,  the  pi'incipal 
town  of  the  Senecas;  to  Canandagua;  and  to  Genesee, 
which  was  the  farthest  point  reached  at  the  westward. 
Fronr  Sullivan's  account:  "The  town  of  Genesee  con- 
tained one  hundred  and  twentv-eiuht  honses,  mostly  larcje 
and  very  elegant.  It  was  beautifully  situated,  almost  en- 
Mrcled  with  a  clear  flatt  extending  a  number  of  miles; 
over  which,  extensive  fields  of  corn  were  waving,  together 
with  every  kind  of  vegetable  that  could  be  conceived." 


Cn 


!../ 


iiiii:,liPi*S 


\v 


321 


INDIAN  KACES  OP  AMERICA. 


U.J 


P 


"Tlic  entire  army,"  says  Stone,  "was  immcdintely en- 
gaged in  destroying  it,  and  the  axe  and  the  t(M"eh  vSoon 
trunslbrined  the  whole  of  that  beautiful  region  from  the 
eluu'aeter  of  a  garden  to  a  seene  of  drear  and  siekening 
desolation.  Forty  Indian  towns  were  destroyed.  Corn, 
gathered  and  ungathered,  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  thousand  bushels,  shared  the  same  fate;  their 
fi'uit-trees  were  eut  down;  and  llie  Indians  wei'e  hunted 
like  wild  beasts-  'Ul  i'  "  er  iiouse,  nor  fruit-tree,  nor  liehl 
of  eorn,  nor  inh.i.i;!,'':.;ii    remained  in  the  whole  countr}-." 

In  a  suffering  ai  '  ^'.'-  imitc  condition,  the  scattered  tribes 
of  the  Iroquois  wei>;  drivri  'o  seek  })rotection  and  sup- 
])oi't  during  the  hard  winter  that  succeeded  their  overthi'ow 
from  the  Engli>'h  at  their  posts  in  the  vicinity  of  Niagar;i, 
Nothing  could  now  be  ex])ected  at  their  hands,  by  tlio 
Americans,  but  acts  of  vindit'tive  retaliation.  Brant  led 
his  warriors,  in  pursuance  of  Ilaldiniand's  ominous  predic- 
tion, against  the  settlements  of  the  Oneidas,  and  reduced 
them  to  a  condition  as  desoLite  as  that  of  the  habitations 
of  his  allies.  ''J^lie  whole  'nbe  was  compelle(l  to  fly  to  the 
eastward,  and  seek  shelter  and  support  from  the  provincials. 

Thayendanegea  was  (>vei'  ready  and  watcliful  for  oppor- 
tunity to  harass  and  weaken  the  Amei'ican  posts,  or  to 
plunder  their  unprotected  villages.  Passing  over  his 
minor  exploits  and  adventures,  of  which  many  strikingly 
characteristic  anecdotes  are  })reserved,  we  come  to  his 
ii-ruption  into  the  ;^[ohawk  valley,  in  August  of  17S0. 
He  managed,  at  this  time,  to  circulate  a  report  among  the 
settlers  in  the  valley,  that  he  was  meditating  an  attack 
upon  Forts  Plain  and  Schuyler,  for  the  purpose  of  getting 
possession  of  the  st.nws  collected  at  those  posts.  Tlie  mil- 
itia of  the  valley  hastened  to  defend  the  threatened  points, 
leaving  their  vi liaises  a  prev^  to  the  cunning  Mohawk.  He 
carefully  avoided  the  reinforcements  on  their  way  to  the 
forts,  and  fell  upon  Canajoharie. 


THE  IROQUOIS,  Oli  SIX  NATIONS. 


326 


ITis  course  was  nuiikcd  by  the  entire  destruction  of 
houses,  ])rovisions,  and  crons;  of  every  thing  iiuk'ed  that 
could  not  be  profitably  carried  away.  No  barbariti(>s  were 
perniitted  upon  the  ])ersons  of  the  defenceless  women  and 
children,  but  a  large  number  of  them  were  borne  away 
into  captivity.  Brant  elU'cted  his  retreat  unmolested; 
hii  men  laden  with  plunder,  and  driving  before  them  the 
Viduable  herds  of  the  white  settlers.  Accounts,  published 
shortly  after  the  transaction,  represent  that  the  whole  num- 
ber of  houses  and  barns  burnt  in  this  invasion,  at  Cana- 
joharie,  Schoharie,  and  Norman's  Kill,  was  one  hundred 
and  forty;  and  that  tv/enty-four  persons  were  killed,  and 
seventy-three  made  captives.  The  mind  is  little  impress- 
ed by  such  bare  enunicration,  iculess  the  imagination  ^ 
excited  to  fill  up  the  outline.  No  language  could  exp'  . ' 
the  amount  of  misery  and  terrible  anxiety  which  such  an 
inroad  must  have  caused.  To  the  distracting  uncerta  ty 
respecting  the  fate  of  their  wives  and  children,  prisou.irij 
in  the  hands  of  a  barbarous  and  exasperated  enemy,  was 
added  the  mortification  of  a  consciousness,  on  the  part  of 
the  provincial  militia,  that  they  had  been  duped.  Thcj 
had  left  their  defenceless  homes  to  be  ravaged  by  the 
enemy,  while  they  were  busying  themselves  in  the  defence 
of  a  fortified  post,  against  which  no  attack  had  been 
meditated. 

The  invasion  of  the  Mohawk  valley  by  Sir  John  John- 
son, in  October  of  this  year  (1780),  was  productive  of 
results  still  more  extensively  disastrous.  The  Indians 
connected  with  the  expedition  were  led  by  Brant,  and  by 
the  great  Seneca  warrior,  Corn-Planter.  This  chief  was  a 
half-breed,  being  a  son  of  a  white  trader,  named  O'Bail, 
and  a  Seneca  squaw.  During  this  campaign,  he  took 
old  O'Bail  prisoner.  Making  himself  known  to  his  father, 
Corn-Planter  enlarged  upon  his  own  position  and  conse- 
quence, offering  the  old  man  his  choice,  whether  he  would 


j;.' 


■'4 


1        ''  ?       V.     ' 


1/1" 


320 


INDIAN'    UACIW  OF   AMKUIi'.V. 


1  '  • 

4. 


9* 


live  in  caso  and  ])lonty  uinoiif^liis  son's  followers,  or  return 
to  the  scttlcuients  of  tlic  w]iit(\s.  OTiail  pri'fcrred  the 
latter  course,  and  was  escorted  accordingly  to  a  place  of 
safety.  We  shall  s})eak  fui'tlu'r  of  this  iioted  warrior,  in 
describing  his  suecessfid  rival,  the  great  orator  lied- Jacket. 

The  usual  horrors  attendant  upon  Indian  warfare  marked 
this  campaign  of  Johnson's;  but  we  are  not  without  evi- 
dence that  the  princi])al  leadei' of  the  savages  Avas  inclined 
to  no  cruelty  farther  than  that  necessarily  incident  to  the 
Indian  mode  of  coiiducting  hostilities.  On  one  occasion, 
he  sent  one  of  his  runners  to  return  a  young  infant  that 
had  been  carried  olV  with  other  captives  and  plunder. 
The  messenger  delivered  a  letter  from  Brant,  directed  "to 
the  commanding  ollicer  of  the  rebel  army,"  in  which  the 
Mohawk  chief  avers  that  "whatever  others  might  do,"  he 
made  no  vn.r  npon  women  and  children.  He  mentioned 
the  two  Butlers,  and  other  tory  partisans,  as  being  "  more 
savage  than  the  savages  themselves." 

The  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations,  engaged  in  the  royal 
cause,  made  Niagara  their  winter  head-quarters.  Thence 
their  scouts  and  war-])arties  continued  to  molest  the  bor- 
der country  tlirough  the  ensuing  s})ring  and  summer,  but 
no  very  important  engagement  took  })lace  until  October 
(1781).  On  the  24th  of  that  montli,  the  inhabitants  of 
the  country  south  of  the  Moliawk,  near  the  mouth  of  Scho- 
harie creek,  were  astonished  by  the  unexpected  inroad  of 
an  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy.  The  army,  under 
the  command  of  Major  Ross,  amounted  to  nearly  a  thou- 
sand men,  including  Indians.  They  had  made  their  way 
from  Buck's  Island,  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  to  Oswego,  and 
thence,  by  Oneida  lake,  to  the  Moluiwk  valley,  so  sud- 
denly and  secretly,  that  no  news  of  their  approach  had 
preceded  them. 

The  invaders  commenced  the  usual  course  of  ravage 
and  destruction,  but  their  success  was  but  of  short  dura- 


i 


.»-«t  r'"^ 


Tllli  IJIOQUOTP,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


tion.  Tliov  wore  disastrously  roiitod  find  ])ut  to  flii^lit  l)y 
the  j'Toviiu'ials,  uiid(!r  (M)l()iiel  Willct,  iiidcMl  by  a  l)()dy  oi' 
Oiioida  warriors.  '^Ilic  notorious  Walt(>r  N.  llutlor  per- 
ished during  tlio  last  engagement  with  tlio  Americans. 
lie  was  sliot  and  scalped  by  an  Oneida  Indian. 

This  was  the  last  important  proeerlure  connected  with 
the  war  of  the  revolution,  in  wliicli  the  Iroquois  bore  a 
part.  They  proved,  throughout  the  contest,  most  danger- 
ous and  eflicient  allies,  rendering  an  immense  extent  of  the 
richest  and  most  beautiful  portion  of  the  state  of  New 
York  unsafe  for  the  Americans. 


CllArTEll  VII. 

CONDITION    OF    THK    SIX    NATIONS    SUBSKQUKNT    TO    THE 

REVOLUTION CONCLUSION  OF  BRANt's    HISTORY — 

KED-JACKKT  AND  CORN-PLANTER. 

After  the  conclusion  of  peace  and  the  recognition  of 
the  independence  of  the  United  States,  arrangements  were 
made  between  the  British  government  a)id  those  of  the 
Six  Nations  who  still  wished  to  reside  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  parent  country,  to  secure  them  an  asylum  in 
Canada.  Thaycndanegea  was  the  principal  negotiatoi'  on 
the  part  of  the  Indians,  and,  at  his  instance,  the  country 
bordering  on  Grand  liiver,  which  empties  into  Lake  Erie, 
about  thirty  miles  westward  from  BulTalo,  was  granted  by 
the  crown  to  "the  Mohawks,  and  otiiers  of  tlie  Six  Na- 
tions, who  had  either  lost  their  possessions  in  the  war,  or 
wished  to  retire  from  them  to  the  British."  They  were  to 
be  secured  in  the  possession  of  a  tract  extending  six  miles 
m  breadth,  on  each  side  of  the  river,  from  its  mouth  to 
its  source. 

l^he  course  to  be  taken  by  the  United  States  rosperting 


f 


\ 


328 


INDIAN  UAC'ES  OF  AMKIUCA. 


P 


tlu'  Tro.|iiois  resident  within  flicir  limits,  was  Ji  anbjecl 
wliicii  led  to  iiiuc'li  dine .  •i.sioii  {ind  diriscusion.  A  confoivnoo 
was  liiially  hold  at  Kort  Stainvix,  hetwecii  d('i>utii>s  fnnu  all 
the  six  trilH'S  and  Ctiited  States  ei)nimissi(tiiers;  and,  after 
much  violent  dehate,  in  uhieh  the  eelehrated  Jied-.hieket 
took  a  prominent  part,  it  was  settled  that  the  I  ndians  should 
cede  to  the  govermnent  all  jurisdietion  ovef  lands  in  east- 
ern New  York,  and  eonlitu!  themselves  to  a  distriet  specalled 
at  the  west.  Ail  jirisonci's  wi-re  to  bo  delivered  ni»,  and 
several  hostages  were  given  to  secure  performance  of  their 
Kti])tdations  on  the  part  of  the  Six  Nations. 

^fany  of  the  Indians  were  greatly  dissatisfied  with  this 
treaty.  Ued-Jaeket  (in  opposition  to  Corn-Planter)  stren- 
uously advocated  a  continuance  of  hostilities.  His  speeeh 
at  Fort  Stanwix  u[)()n  the  subject  gained  him  a  wide  repu- 
tation for  orattjry.  l^rant,  Avho  was  then  about  starting 
for  JMiglaiid  ti)  })ush  the  claims  of  his  tribe  for  remuni;ra- 
tion  for  their  losses  in  the  war,  postponed  his  embarkation, 
and  wrote  a  letter  of  ivmonstrance  to  Colonel  Monroe,  com- 
plaining especially  of  the  retention  of  one  of  his  relatives, 
a  Captain  Aaron  Hill,  as  one  of  the  hostages. 

The  Mohawk  chief  did  not  lay  aside  his  purpose  of  visit 
ing  the  royal  court  in  his  people's  behalf,  lie  arrived  in 
England  in  the  month  of  DecHMuber,  1785,  and  never  was 
ambassador  received  with  more  llattering  attention.  His 
intelligence  and  dignity,  together  with  the  remembrance  of 
his  long  and  faithful  services,  commended  him  to  all.  lie 
was  feted  by  the  nobility  and  g(!ntry;  his  acquaintance 
was  sought  by  the  most  learned  and  celebrated  dignitaries 
of  the  age;  and  the  native  shrewdness  evinced  in  liis 
speeches  and  remarks  drew  forth  universal  a})j)lausc.  His 
attempt  to  awaken  an  interest  at  court,  in  favor  of  the 
'claims  of  his  nation,  was  successful ;  and  a  royal  order  was 
obtained  for  the  indemnity  of  those  whose  losses  had  been 
speeilied,  and  for  an  examination  of  farther  demands. 


I 

1 1 


:::::.:::J 


^~1 


l! 


mull    I 
51  Iter    I 
aeki't    I 
loiild 

cast- 
cil'u'il 
t,  ami 

lln'ir 

h  this 

stnni-    1 

ipcccli    I 

;  j'rpu- 

arting 

iuu;i'a- 

cation, 
,  com- 
itives, 

visit 
■0(1  in 
'!•  was 
His 
nee  of 
He 
litance 
itaries 
111  liis 
II  is 
)f  tlic 
T  was 
been 


rr 


!l 


:.;:;;..-J 


TIIK   lUOQUOlS,  OU  SIX  NATIONS. 


829 


In  tho  United  States,  Indian  affairs  continned  nnsettlod, 
and  ominoMS  y;'(is|>ects<)f'  Culinv  disturbaneeon  the  wi'stern 
IVontier  called  for  wise  and  cantioiis  a.'tion.  A  yivat 
conncil  was  held  in  hecembt'r,  178(5,  by  many  tribes  of 
Indians,  among  whom  tiu;  Si.v  Nations  were  the  most 
prominent,  at  Huron  village,  not  far  from  tho  mouth  of 
Detroit  river.  The  object  was  to  concert  some  general 
plan  of  resistance  to  encroachments  upon  their  lands  by 
the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States.  It  is  said  that  an 
unfriendly  feeling  towards  tho  new  government  was  pro- 
moted by  Kiiglish  ollicials  in  their  commuidcations  with 
the  Indians,  in  reference  to  the  retention,  by  the  crown, 
of  Oswego,  Detroit,  Niagara,  and  other  posts. 

For  many  years,  subsetpient  to  the  })eaee  with  Kngland, 
bloody  skirmishes,  and  scenes  of  plunder  and  rapine,  kept 
tho  western  border  in  continual  distress;  and  wIumi  tho 
United  States  undertook  the  reduction  of  the  hostile  tribes 
in  1700  and  91,  it  Avas  found  that  the  feeling  of  disall'ec- 
tion  on  tho  part  of  the  red  men  was  indeed  extensive. 
Upon  the  occasion  of  St.  Clair's  disastrous  defeat  by  the 
Miamis  and  their  associates,  under  the  renowned  chief, 
Little  Turtle,  it  is  asserted  by  the  biograpner  of  Brant  that 
the  old  Mohawk  warrior  and  the  warlike  tri'lie  to  which  he 
belonged  bore  a  conspicuous  part. 

No  man,  Iwrn  of  a  savage  stock,  has  ever  associated 
with  the  enlightened  and  intelligent  upon  terms  of  greater 
equality  than  did  Thayendanegea.  While  ho  retained  all 
his  partiality  for  his  own  people,  and  never  lost  sight  of 
their  interests,  he  fully  appreciated  the  advantages  of  edu- 
cation and  civilization.  A  long  life,  spent  for  the  most 
part  amid  scench  )f  strife  and  danger,  in  which  the  whole 
powers  of  his  active, mind  and  body  seemed  called  forth 
by  the  stirring  scen^  s  in  which  ho  mingled,  did  not  unfit 
him  for  the  pursuits  of  literature  and  the  aits  of  peace. 
He  was  indefatigable  in  his  endeavors  to  elevate  the  social 


■7'  > 


■!s!''\ 


J 


■    '  .V. 

■  ■.# 

It*'. '-.-    -^ 


'"^ 


CDO 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  A:^iKIMCA. 


)   ■*     . 


position  of  Lis  tribe,  and  devotod  no  little  time  and  attcn 
tion  to  the  translation  of  .s(;ri[)tnral  and  other  works  into 
the  AIohaAvk  tongne,  for  their  Lenefit.  Ilis  earlier  speci- 
mens of  composition,  Avhich  have  been  preserved,  are,  as 
miglit  be  expected,  rudely  and  imperfectly  expressed,  but 
they  evince  great  shrewdness  and  intelligence.  The  pro- 
ductions of  his  latter  yc.'ars  are  strikingly  forcible  and 
elegant. 

We  cannot  go  into  a  detail  of  the  tedious  and  some- 
what obscure  negotiations  with  the  American  government 
in  which  the  chief  of  the  Six  Nations  took  part  in  behalf 
of  his  jjeople,  nor  chronicle  the  events  of  j^rivate  interest 
and  domestic  troubles  which  disturbed  his  declinin,'^'  years. 
The  old  warrior  died  in  November,  1807,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-four. 

In  the  war  of  IS  12,  the  Mohawks,  under  John  Brant, 
son  and  successor  of  ^Jliaycndancgca,  took  the  part  of  their 
old  friends  and  allies,  the  English,  and  did  good  service 
in  various  engagements  npon  the  noithcrn  frontier. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  centnry,  few  names 
stand  more  prominent  in  Indian  annals  than  that  of  the 
Seneca  chief  and  orator,  Saguoaha,  or  lied-Jacket.  We 
hear  of  him,  indeed,  in  much  earlier  times,  as  opposed  to 
Brant,  at  the  time  of  SulliA-an's  campaign.  The  Mohawk 
chief  always  regarded  him  with  contempt  and  dislike, 
speaking  of  him  as  an  arrant  coward,  and  a  man  of  words 
merely.  Saguoaha  held  the  whites  generally  in  suspicion, 
and  his  great  effort  appears  ever  to  have  been  for  the  pre- 
servation of  his  nation's  independence  and  individuality. 

We  have  already  mentioned  the  part  which  he  took  at 
the  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix,  and  his  opposition  to  the 
cession  by  his  nation  of  their  eastern  lands.  Corn-Planter, 
or  0'J5ail,  who  favored  the  proposal,  was  high  in  authority 
at  that  time  among  the  Senecas;  but  Red-Jacket,  more  by 
his  eloquence  and  sagacity  in  council  than  by  any  warlike 


THE  nioQuoTS,  on  six  xatioxs. 


'.>  ■  >  1 


ncliiov'3raenfr5',  was  gradually  supplanting  liim.  Corn- 
Plariter  was  a  veteran  warrioj",  and  had  fought  in  former 
times  against  the  English,  in  behalf  of  the  French.  He  is 
said  to  have  been  attached  to  the  French  and  Indian  army, 
upon  the  occasion  of  Braddock's  defeat,  in  1755.  lie 
could  ill  brook  the  rivalry  of  a  young  man,  noted  for  no 
warlike  achievements,  and  only  prominent  among  his 
people  by  virtue  of  his  natural  gift  of  eloquence.  To 
clieck,  therefore,  this  advance  of  the  young  orator,  O'Bail 
C!i<leavored  to  work  upon  the  credulity  of  his  people  by 
amiouncing  his  brother  as  a  prophet,  and,  for  a  time,  suc- 
ceeded in  exciting  their  reverence  and  superstitious  fears. 
Red-Jacket,  however,  in  open  council,  eloquently  pro- 
claimed him  an  impostor,  and  harangued  the  tribe  witli 
such  power  and  effect  as  to  create  a  complete  diversion  in 
his  own  flivor.  lie  was  chosen  chief  of  his  tribe,  and  ex- 
ci'ciscd,  from  that  time  forth,  a  control  over  his  numerous 
followers  seldom  surpassed  by  any  Indian  ruler.  He  was 
a  steady  opposer  of  Christianity,  holding  the  missionaries 
who  endeavored  to  eflcet  the  conversion  of  the  Six  Nations, 
in  great  suspicion.  As  a  specimen  of  his  style  of  orator}^, 
Ave  will  give  some  extracts  of  Saguoaha's  speeches  upon 
these  religious  questions,  as  they  arc  to  be  found  in 
Thatcher's  Indian  Biography.  It  must  be  observed  that, 
with  characterivStic  obstinacy,  the  speaker  would  never  use 
the  English  language,  but  communicated  his  remarks  by 
means  of  an  interpreter,  so  that  due  alloAvance  must  be 
made  for  the  change  in  style  and  loss  of  force  almost 
always  attendant  u[)on  a  translation. 

At  a  Seneca  council  in  ^tay,  1811,  held  at  Buifalo 
Creek,  he  answered  a  missionary  fi'om  New  York,  sub- 
stantially as  follows:  "Brother! — we  listened  to  the  talk 
you  delivered  us  from  the  Council  of  Black-Coats  in  New 
York.  AVe  have  fully  considered  your  talk,  and  the  offers 
you  have  made  us.     We  now  return  ouv  answi^r,  wliieli 


'■  •OTl 

4  '''ijffit 

« 

;  Jl^ini 

.  4I H  H|  liipi  II^Dfi 

i 

ilHiHi 

llllllHi 

M; 


^r'm 


.  •(';' ' 


I  ;      oo.-) 


INDIAN   KACES   OF   AMERICA. 


I  ! 


we  wisb.  you  also  to  understand.  In  mailing  up  our 
minds,  wc  liave  looked  back  to  remember  wliat  lias  been 
done  in  our  days,  and  what  our  flithers  have  told  us  was 
done  in  old  times. 

"Brother !— Great  nunjbers  of  Black-Coats  have  been 
among  the  Indians.  Witli  sweet  voices  and  smiling  faces, 
tlK>y  oifered  to  teach  them  the  religion  of  the  white  people. 
Our  bretliren  in  the  East  listened  to  them.  Thoj  turned 
fi-om  the  religion  of  tlicir  fathers,  and  took  u])  the  religion 
of  tlie  white  people.  AV hat  good  has  it  done?  Are  they 
more  friendly  one  to  another  than  we  are?  No,  brother! 
They  are  a  divided  people ; — we  arc  united.  'I'hey  cpiarrcl 
about  religion  ; — anc  live  in  love  and  friendshi}).  Besides, 
they  drink  strong  waters.  And  they  have  learned  how  to 
cheat,  and  how  to  practice  all  the  other  vices  of  the  white 
people,  without  imitating  their  virtues.  Brother! — If  you 
wish  us  well,  keep  away;  do  not  disturb  us. 

"Brother! — We  do  not  worship  the  Great  Spirit  as  the 
white  people  do,  but  we  believe  that  the  forms  of  worship 
are  indifferent  to  the  Great  Spirit.  It  is  the  homage  of 
sincere  hearts  that  pleases  him,  and  we  worship  him  in 
that  manner." 

After  arguing  the  matter  a  little  more  at  length,  and 
expressing  a  decided  preference  for  the  "talk"  of  Mr. 
Granger,  an  Indian  agent,  and  for  that  of  the  emissaries 
of  the  Society  of  Friends,  the  orator  concluded: 

"Brother! — For  these  reasons  we  cannot  receive  your 
offers.  We  have  other  things  to  do,  and  beg  you  to  make 
your  mind  easy,  without  troubling  us,  lest  our  heads  should 
be  too  much  loaded,  and  by  and  by  burst."  Eed-Jackct 
remained,  through  life,  consistent  with  the  ground  first 
taken  by  him  upon  religious  and  political  questions.  To 
the  clergy  he  was  ever  courteous  and  civil,  and  appears 
to  have  been  ready  to  hold  argument  with  them  n])on 
"Jieir  creed.     In  conversation  with  one  of  the  cloth,  he  is 


'li  fl 


TUE  IROQUOIS,  01{  SIX  NATIONS. 


said  to  have  strenuously  denied  any  responsibility  on  the 
part  of  the  red  men  for  the  death  of  Christ.  "Brother," 
said  he,  "if  you  white  peojile  murdered  'the  Saviour,' 
make  it  up  yourselves.  AVe  had  nothing  to  do  with  it. 
If  he  had  eome  among  us,  we  should  have  treated  him 
better." 

In  the  war  of  1812,  the  Scnecas  espoused  the  American 
interests,  and.  Brant's  assertions  to  the  contrary  notwith- 
standing, tlicir  chief,  with  his  subordinates — Farmer's 
Brother,  Little  Billv,  Pollard,  Black  Snake,  Young  O'Bail, 
(a  son  of  Corn-Planter,)  and  others — gained  honorable 
notice  for  courage  and  activity  from  the  connnanding 
officers  of  the  army  to  which  they  were  attached.  It  is 
still  more  pleasing  to  reflect  that  these  Indians  readily  con- 
formed to  the  moi'c  humane  usages  of  modern  warfare.^ 
General  J3oyd  reported  that,  "the  bravery  and  humanity 
of  the  Indians  were  equally  cons})icuous." 

In  his  old  age,  Red-Jacket  became  very  intem})erate, 
and  in  so  many  instances  conducted  himself  in  a  manner 
unbecoming  the  dignity  of  a  chief,  that  his  opijoncnls,  the 
Christian  portion  of  the  tribe,  succeeded  in  passing  a  reso- 
lution, in  council,  for  his  deposition.  This  was  eilectod  iu 
September,  of  the  j^ear  1827,  rind  a  formal  wriiten  procla- 
mation of  the  charges  said  to  be  substantiated  a"-ainst  him, 
was  promulgated.  The  old  chief  immediately  bestirred 
himself  to  obtain  a  revocation  of  this  dcc-iee.  I le  caiisod  a 
grand  council  of  the  Six  Nations  to  be  held,  and,  with  all  his 
former  fire  and  energy,  made  answer  to  his  accusci's.  A  fter 
enumerating  and  ridiculing  the  charges  against  him,  (many 
of  them  really  trifling,)  he  proceeded  to  speak  of  his  long- 
continued  services  and  care  lor  his  peopk' :  "I  fe(d  soi-ry 
for  my  nation,"  said  he;  "when  I  am  gone  to  the  other 
I  worlds,— when  the  Great  Spirit  calls  me  away,- — who 
j]    among  my  people  can  take  my  place?     Many  years  have 

j  I    I  ii'uided  the  nation." 

I 
I 


i&p 


! 


IP  ^: 


f    ■^'^■'l 


' 

?!;  *^^ 

an 

Ml 

ti 

'•-1 

i 

i 

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t 

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oo-t 


INDIAN   KACES  OF  AMKUICA. 


M 


,  *..  ( 


ti 


1 1 


/i'hc  eloqueace  of  the  speaker,  and  a  rcmembrur  !e  of 
l.i'i  faiiliful  zeal  for  the  welfare  of  liis  tribe,  producr'd  their 
'liio  efloet:  he  was  fully  restored  to  his  former  position  and 
authorit3\  During  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  Eed-Jae\'et 
resided  at  the  Seneca  settlement,  in  the  vicinity  of  Buffiilo. 
lie  made  several  visits  to  the  Eastern  cities,  where  his  ap- 
pearance always  attracted  much  interest  and  attention. 
A  traveller  who  visited  tlie  Seneca  country  a  few  years 
before  the  death  of  the  old  chief  (which  took  place  in 
January,  1830,)  speaks  of  his  residence  and  appearance  in 
tlie  following  terms:  "My  path  grew  more  and  more  in- 
distinct, until  its  windings  were  only  intimated  by  the 
smoothness  of  the  tui'f,  Avliich  often  left  mo  in  perplexity, 
till  it  at  last  brought  me  to  the  view  of  the  abode  of  the 
chief.  He  had  penetrated,  like  a  wild  beast,  into  the 
deepest  recesses  of  the  forest,  almost  beyond  the  power  of 
a  white  man  to  trace  him.  A  wild  beast!  but  I  lonndliin) 
in  a  calm,  contemplative  mood,  aiid  surrounded  by  a  cheer- 
f'll  family.  Old  and  young,  collectefl  about  the  door  of 
the  log  hut  where  he  was  seated,  seemed  to  I'cgard  him 
with  allection;  and  an  infant,  which  one  of  the  females 
held  in  her  ai'ins,  received  his  caresses  with  smiles,  h 
was  a  striking  scene — a  ciiicf!  Yet  some  of  his  inferiors, 
who  cultivate  the  soil  in  other  parts  of  the  Seneca  lands, 
had  abundant  fields  and  well-hllc^.  ^  ,;i    houses,  while   he 


w;is  ]ioor,  but  bore  liis  privations 


,j)parent  ecpianim- 


ity.  If  he  had  power,  he  did  not  exert  it ;  if  he  had  passions, 
they  were  quiescent;  if  lie  had  sulfered  injuries,  they  were 
buried  in  his  breast. — His  looks,  his  motions,  his  attitudes, 
had   that   cast  of  superiority  which  convinced  me   that. 


■whether  iustlv  or  not,  he  considere(l  no  i 


nan  his  superior 


in  understanding. — lie  appeared  to  regard  himself  as  the 
only  one  of  his  nation  who  retained  the  feelings  and  opin 
ions  of  his  ancestors,  and  to  pride  himself  in  ju'cserviiig 
Hfii."     Ualleck's  address  to  "Eed-Jaeket,  on  lookinu'  at 


t.. 


r" 


I 


1 1 

!  I 


!l 

I  i 


THE  IROQUOTP,  OR  STX  NATT0X3. 


" ')  X 
OOO 


his  portrait,  by  Wicr,"  aHliougli  lua  in  all  respect?  strictly 
nccorJant  with  fficts,  contains  a  beautiful  summary  of  In- 
dian cliaractcristics.     The  poem  concludes  as  follows: 

"The  moiiiireli  mind,  the  niystovy  of  coiiiirmncliiig, 
The  1)ir1h-li(uir  trif't.  Ilic  iirt  X.ipcloon, 
Of  wimiiiinf,  fotic'riiiif,  niouldiiiir,  wielding,  bunding 
Tlie  hearts  of  millions,  till  tliey  move  us  one; 

Tlion  liiist  it.     At  thy  bidding  men  have  crowded 
The  roiid  to  death  as  to  a  festival; 
And  minstrels,  at  their  sepulchres,  have  shrouded 
Witli  banner-folds  of  glory  the  dark  pall. 

Who  will  believe?     Not  I — for  in  deceiving  * 

Lies  the  dear  charm  of  life's  delightful  dream; 

I  cannot  spare  the  luxury  of  believing 

That  all  thi  .gs  beautiful  are  what  they  seem. 

Who  will  believe  that,  with  u  smile  whose  blessing 
Would,  like  the  patriarch's,  soolh  a  dying  hour, 
WitJi  voice  as  low,  as  gentle  and  caressing. 
As  e'er  won  maiden's  lip  in  moonlit  bower; 

With  look  like  patient  Job's,  eschewing  evil; 
With  motions  graceful  us  a  bird's  in  air; 
Thou  art,  in  sober  truth,  the  veriest  ilevil 

That  e'er  clenched  lingers  in  a  captive's  hair! 

Tiiut  in  thy  breast  there  springs  a  poison  fountain; 
Deadlier  than  that  where  bathes  the  Upas-tree; 
And  in  thy  wrath,  a  nursing  cat-o'-uiountaln 
Is  calm  as  a  babe's  sleep,  compared  with  thee! 

And  underneath  that  face,  like  Summer  Ocean's, 
Its  lip  as  moveless,  and  its  cheek  us  clear, 
Slumbers  a  whirlwind  of  the  heart's  emotions — 
Love,  hatred,  pride,  hope,  sorrow, — all  save  fear 

Love — lor  lliy  land,  as  if  she  were  thy  daughter, 
Her  pipe  in  peace,  her  tomahawk  in  wars; 
Hatred — of  missionaries  and  cold  water: 
Pride — in  thy  riile-tropliies,  and  thy  scars; 


1^: 


!  ■  I 


M 


.'■■~  lii^/  ■ 


'*.t 


.ill 


■"?»^'  II.- If--"* 


4  'ki- 


V 


33f] 


IM'IAX    1:A0K,S  of  AMKKlt'A, 


:^ 


II.i|M' — lliat  l!iy  \\T()M"'s  m:'y  !»■  I'V  tln'  nr(';it  Spirit 

SdlTdW — lli;il    IKHlt'  .-ire   I't'l    llll'i'  ICi  illlu'rit 

Tiiy  iiJiiiii'.  thy  I'anu',  t!iy  jcis^jdii^.  iiiui  thy  tlirone!'' 


CIIAl'TKll  VIII, 


PRESENT  CONDITION   Ol'  TlIK  .MX  .NATIONS. 


f,, 
•i  I 


i 
I 


i  ■' 


The  inforiiuition  eoiitjiiiiiMl  in  tlii.s  cii;iptcr  is  drawn  froin 
]Mr.  Sclioole raft's  al).<ti'a<'t>  and  statitiics,  prcsontrd  in  his 
"Notr.--  on  tlio  Ti'fXjUois.'" 

In  taking'  llie  census,  ordered  by  the  Xew  York  legis- 
lature in  181 '>,  and  jiroeuriiig  statistics  oCtLt!  agricultural 
o])ci'alii>iis  oi'  tlic  Ji'oi[U(iis,  the  author  informs  us  that  great 
ohjccli'in  ^vas  math;  hy  the  Indians  to  wliatthey  considered 
an  ofhcioiis  intermeddling  in  tlicir  all'alrs.  Their  siispicions 
wci'c  excited  l)y  the  novelty  of  the  re([uisidon,  and  the 
Jiiatter  a\  as  discussed  at  ureat  ItMHi  :i  in  their  councils. 
They  could  not  j^ersmide  themselves  that  the  goVrrnment 
should  t;il:e  such  a  step  from  any  of  ilu;  motives  urged  liy 
those  to  A'honi  the  business  was  intrusted.  It  aj)j)earedto 
them  juortt  ])rol)able  thai  the  measure  was  but  a  [irelim- 
inaiy  stc])  to  the  hiying  a  tax  Ujion  tlicir  jU'opeHy,  and 
lliey  consequently  t)])])osed  continual  obstacles  to  a  satisfae- 
toj'v  completion  of  the  duty  assigned.  The  entire  j)0])ula- 
tio'i  of  die  Six  Nations,  about  the  middle  of  the  ei<'"litcenth 

nlui'y,   wiis   computed  at  six   or   eight  thousand.      Hy 


ct 


oili('r  caiculatio  s,  ide  a  few  years  later,  at  the  period  of 
the  American  ]v'\  ciution,  it  was  supposeel  to  exceed  nine 
thousanri. 

Conscious  as  we  are,  of  the  many  causes  constantly  ope- 
ratiuLi'  to  reibie*  lb-  nuiiujers  of  the  Indian  population,  it 
is  a  m.'itu>r  of  !io  less  surprise  than  satisfaction  to  Icarn 


'^>J^.:""^ 


■^y., 


Mm 


i*   :                                      ■    ' 

1     ■       '.  *  • 

Hi.. 

■It' 

•   .  'i'li 

J   ■                                ''' 

1 ;  ■'   * 

4  >  -m 

"'f  JbB 

';    \                                  '    1 

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■      • 

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<                               ! 

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H  t:  1 1     J  A  I..  K  k.  T 


F-- 


TlIE  TUOQUOIP,  OR  SIX  NATIONS. 


337 


that  tliorc  has  been  no  v(;ry  material  dcorcaac  in  the  Iro- 
quois nation  since  the  extension  of  civilization  over  their 
ancient  country.  It  is  pleasing  to  reflect  that  some  por- 
tion of  the  strange  race  that  formerly  held  undisturbed 
possession  %  the  wilds  of  America,  should  be  preserved 
to  show  what  advance  they  arc,  as  a  people,  capable  of 
making,  when  aided  by  the  light  of  civilization. 

The  tribes  of  the  ancient  confederacy  are  widely  scat- 
tered. The  larger  portion  of  the  Oneidas  are  settled  upon 
a  reservation  in  the  vicinity  of  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin: 
smaller  villages  of  the  tribe  are  situated  further  southward, 
near  Winnebago  Lake.  The  nmnber  of  these  e.r.igic-inta 
was  stated  in  18-1-1  to  be  seven  hundred  and  twenty-two. 
The  Senccas  who  have  moved  westward,  were  put  down 
at  about  two  hundred  and  thirty.  Fifty-one  of  the  last- 
mentioned  tribe,  were  resident  at  Corn-rianter's  settle- 
ment in  Pennsylvania. 

The  Mohawks,  Cr.yugas,  and  others  on  Grand  river,  in 
Canada,  probably  number  over  two  thousand.  We  now 
come  to  the  more  certain  stiii sties  of  the  New  York  cen- 
sus, given  as  follows,  by  Mr.  Schoolcraft: 


"  Senccas, 
Onoudngas, 
Tusearoras,   . 
Oneidas,   . 
Cayngas, 
Moliawks, 
St.  Regis  Canton, 


2,441 
398 
281 
210 
123 
20 
260." 


He  estimates  the  whole  nation,  in  Canada  and  the  United 
States  at  nearly  seven  thousand.  He  supposes,  and  it 
would  seem  very  justly,  that  there  has  been  a  period,  within 
the  last  century,  at  which  their  numbers  were  reduced  muclv 
below  those  presented  by  recent  returns;  "and  that,  for 
some  years  past,  and  since  they  have  been  well  lodged  and 
clothed,  and  subsisted  by  their  own  labour,  and  boon  cx- 
22 


l! 


J4 


i 


;!,. 


~-'^ 


838 


INDIAN-  i:.\'JKS  (»F  AMKKICA. 


P 


emptod  from  tlic  discuses  und  casualties  incident  to  savage 
life,  and  tlie  empire  of  the  forest,  their  population  has 
recovered,  and  is  noio  on  the  increased 

Many  satisfactory  evidences  of  thrift  and  good  nianagC' 
merit,  in  the  shai)e  of  saw-mills,  scIiooI-Iiotocs,  public 
buildings,  and  well-kept  farms,  appear  in  the  Indian  set- 
tlements of  New  York.  Xotliing  seems  so  conducive  to 
the  welfare  of  this  species  of  our  population  as  a  depriwi 
cncc  upon  their  own  resources,  where  the  means  of  advan- 
tageous labor  are  supplied  them.  The  evils  of  the  ainiuity 
system,  and  of  the  custom  of  farming  out  their  lands  to 
tlie  whites  by  the  Indians,  have  been  fully  and  eloquently 
set  forth.  Tlic  first  of  these  practices  has  the  ell'ect  to 
bring  a  horde  of  unprincipled  sharpers  about  the  place 
where  the  yearly  payment  is  made,  who,  by  tlio  tenipta 
tions  of  useless  fiiiery,  and,  far  worse,  by  the  oiler  of  the 
red-man's  greatest  bane,  intoxicating  liquors,  render  the 
assistance  of  the  government  oft-times  rather  a  curse  than 
a  blessing.  The  latter  usage  is  productive  of  evil  by  its 
encouragement  of  idleness,  and  by  strengthening  tliat  sense 
of  pride  and  self-importance  which  distinguishes  the  race. 
Where  the  change  in  the  face  of  the  country,  and  the  in- 
troduction of  domestic  animals  have  rendered  the  chase 
no  longi^r  necessary  or  })rofituble,  the  Indian  still  prefei'S 
ranging  the  woods  with  his  dog  and  gun,  to  the  endui'unco 
of  what  he  esteems  servile  labor. 

Striking  exceptions  to  the  above  remarks  are  to  be  seen 
in  the  conduct  and  eniploj-ments  of  many  inhabitants  of 
Indian  villages  in  New  York.  Good  husbandr}-  is  evi- 
dent in  the  management  of  their  farms,  and  artisans  of 
no  mean  skill  are  frequently  met  with.  Some  of  these 
Indians,  who  have  turned  their  attention  to  the  art  of  work- 
ing in  silver,  are  said  to  produce  very  beautiful  specimens 
of  ornamental  work,  especially  in  the  in-laying  of  gun- 
stocks,  handles  to  tomahawks,  &;c. 


1 1 


irzrr-^ 


vfige 

uUic  ,; 
1  set-  j , 
VOi  to    I 

dvan-    I 
iinilty    ' 
ids  to    j 
iicutly    : 
V'ct  to 
pltiee 
oinpta 
of  tlie 
\cv  tlic 
BC  than 
jy  its 
sense 
race, 
lie  in- 
eluise 
refors 
iruiico 


^c  seen 

tuitri  i»r 

is  evi- 
ans  of 
r  these 
work- 
Icnuiens 
k  gun- 


TIIK  lUOQUOIS,  OU  SIX.  NATIONS. 


339 


A  portion  oftlu^  Seiiecas,  settled  upon  tlu;  Allegliany,  oe 
cu[)y  themselves  in  I'al'tingand  boating  upon  the  river,  and 
others  are  engaged  in  the  hike  navigation.  'I'here  si^enis, 
indeed,  to  be  no  want  of  bodily  or  mental  capacity  in  the 
North  American  Indian,  Ibr  the  successliil  pursuit  of 
nearly  every  trade,  profession,  and  occupation,  followed 
by  the  whites. 

One  most  beneficial  reformation  has  taken  place  among 
some  of  the  Iroquois,  in  a  movement  which,  if  universally 
encouraged,  would  do  more  to  regenerate  the  red-men, 
than  all  other  influences  combined.  We  allude  to  the 
introduction  and  formation  of  temperance  societies. 

The  returns  of  agricultural  products  giv(>n,  at  the  time 
of  taking  the  census  before-mentioned,  in  ISto,  are  ex- 
tremely gratifying,  and  may  well  convince  us  of  the  steady 
anfl  hopeful  advance  made  by  the  New  York  Indians  in 
self-reliance  and  honest  industry. 

Communications  from  the  missionaries,  engaged  in  the 
instruction  and  religious  guidance  of  the  Indians  dwelling 
on  the  different  reservations,  bear  witness  to  the  docility 
and  aptness  of  their  pupils.  The  liev.  Ashcr  Bliss,  in  a 
letter,  published  in  the  appendix  to  Mr.  Schoolcraft's  notes, 
observes:  "As  to  the  ca})acity  of  Indian  children  for  im- 
provement, my  own  impression  is,  that  there  is  no  essen- 
tial dilference  between  them  and  white  children."  Of  the 
influence  of  the  Christian  religion  upon  the  worldly  pros- 
jKn-ity  of  the  people  among  whom  he  was  stationed,  (the 
Scneeas  of  the  Cataraugus  reservation,)  Mr.  Bliss  speaks 
enthusiastically.  He  contrasts  "the  framed  houses  and 
l);iT'ns,  the  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs,  the  acres  of  im- 
proved land;  the  wagons,  buggies  and  sleighs;  the  clocks, 
watches,  and  various  productions  of  agriculture,"  with  the 
destitution  and  poverty  of  former  times,  and  exclaims, 
naturally  enough,  "What  an  astonishing  ehangel" 


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PONTIAC'S  WAR. 


ClIAPTER  I. 

French  influence  over  tick  Indians — hritisii  occupation  of 

THE  western  posts VONTIAC  AND  HIS  PLANS  FOR 

EXTERMINATING  THE  ENGLISH. 


Eakly  in  the  eighteenth  century  the  French  had  com- 
menced extending  their  influence  among  tlie  tribes  who 
inhabited  the  country  bordering  on  the  great  western  hdics, 
Alwajrs  more  successM  than  the  other  European  settlers 
in  conciliating  the  .affections  of  the  savages  among  whom 
th(?y  lived,  they  had  obtained  the  hearty  good-will  of  na- 
tions little  known  to  the  English.  The  cordial  familiarity 
of  the  race,  and  the  terms  of  easy  equality  upon  wliich 
they  were  content  to  share  the  rude  huts  of  the  Indians,  in- 
gratiated them  more  readily  with  their  hosts,  than  a  course 
of  English  reserve  and  formality  could  have  done.  The 
most  marked  instances  of  the  contrast  between  the  two 
great  parties  of  colonists  may  be  seen  in  the  different 
measure  of  success  met  with  in  their  respective  religious 
operations.  While  the  stern  doctrines  of  New  England 
divines,  as  a  general  rule,  were  neglected  or  contemiiod 
by  their  rude  hearers,  the  Jesuits  met  with  signal  success 
in  acquiring  a  spiritual  influence  over  the  aborigines. 
Whether  it  was  owing  to  the  more  attractive  form  in 
which  they  promulgated  their  creed  and  worship,  or 
whether  it  was  due  to  their  personal  readiness  to  ada})t 
themselves  to  the  habits,  and  to  sympathize  with  the  feelings 


IglOUS 

ugliuul 
;cinnc(l 
success 
L-iivines. 
onn  iu 
ini),   or 

Ibclings 


FONT!  Ac's  WAU. 


841 


of  their  proselytes,  certain  it  is  th.at  they  maintained  a 
strong  liold  upon  tlic  airections,  and  a  powerful  influence 
over  the  conduct  of  their  ado[)ted  brethren. 

Adair,  writing  witli  natural  prejudice,  says  that,  "instead 
of  reforming  the  Indians,  the  moidcs  and  friars  corrupted 
their  morals:  for  in  the  place  of  inculcating  love,  peace, 
and  good-will  to  their  red  pupils,  as  became  messengers  of 
the  divine  author  of  peace,  they  only  impressed  their  flexi- 
ble minds  with  an  implacable  hatred  against  every  British 
subject,  without  any  distinction.  Our  people  will  soon 
discover  the  bad  policy  of  the  late  Quebec  act,  and  it  is  to  bo 
hoj)ed  that  Great-Britain  will,  in  due  time,  send  those  black 
croaking  clerical  frogs  of  Canada  home  to  their  infallible 
Mufti  of  Eome,"  The  Ottawas,  Chippewas,  and  Potta- 
watomies,  who  dwelt  on  the  Great  Lakes,  proved  as 
staunch  adherents  to  the  French  interests  as  were  the  Six 
Nations  to  those  of  the  English,  and  the  bitterest  hostility 
prevailed  between  these  two  great  divisions  of  the  abo- 
riginal population. 

When  English  troops,  in  accordance  with  the  treaty  of 
1760,  were  put  in  possession  of  the  French  stations  on  the 
lakes,  they  found  the  Indians  little  disposed  to  assent  to 
the  change.  The  great  sachem  who  stood  at  the  licad  of 
the  confederate  western  tribes  was  the  celebrated  Ottowa 
chief  Pontiac. 

The  first  detachment,  under  Major  Rogers,  which  entered 
the  western  country  on  the  way  to  Detroit,  the  most  im- 
portant post  on  the  lakes,  was  favorably  received  by  the 
Indian  chief,  but  not  without  a  proud  assertion  of  his  own 
rights  and  authority.  He  sent  a  formal  embassy  to  meet 
the  English,  and  to  announce  his  intention  of  giving  an 
audience  to  their  commander.  Rogers  describes  him  as  a 
chief  of  noble  appearance  and  dignified  address.  At  the 
conference  he  inquired  by  what  right  the  English  entered 
his  country;  and  upon  the  Major's  disavowing  all  hostile 


'I 


i(.    -11 


■  m 


V       4         ' » 


-.ft 


.  ) , 


V^'    .    ■' 


l--,( 


i        ■  !l 


•:'i! 


,]t2 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


intent  towards  tlic  Indians,  SLM.Miicd  nioi'c  pliicuLle,  Lnt 
eliccked  any  furtlier  advance,  until  Lis  ])]easurc  should  bo 
]nado  known,  with  tho  pithy  observation:  "1  stand  in  the 
path  you  travel  until  to-nion'ow  morning."  lie  Ihially 
allowed  the  forces  to  proceed,  and  even  furnished  men  to 
protect  them  and  their  stores. 

Pontiac  assisted  and  protected  this  ganison  for  a  pcricxl, 
but  probably  even  then  was  })ondering  in  his  mind  the 
great  scheme  of  restoring  his  JM'eneli  allies  and  extermi- 
nating the  intruders,  lie  has  been  frequently  eompai'cd 
to  I'hilip,  the  great  Wampanoag  sachem,  both  fur  his 
kingly  spirit  and  for  the  similarity  of  their  plans  to  crush 
the  encroachments  of  the  English.  Pontiac  had  an  im- 
mense force  under  his  control,  and  could  well  allbrd  U) 
distribute  it  in  as  many  different  detachments  as  there 
v/ere  strono;holds  of  the  enemy  to  be  overthrown.  It  was 
in  the  year  17(38  that  his  ai'i'angcments  Avere  completed, 
and  the  month  of  Jime  was  lixed  upon  for  a  simultane- 
ous onslaught  upon  every  British  })ost.  The  eloquent  and 
sagacious  Ottowa  chiet'  luid  drawn  into  his  consj)iracy,  not 
onl}'  the  jjeople  of  his  own  nation,  with  the  Chippewas 
and  Pottawatomies,  but  large  numbers  from  other  western 
tribes,  as  the  Miamies,  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  the  llurons 
and  the  Shawanees.  He  even  secui'ed  the  alliance  of  a 
portion  of  the  Delawares  and  ol'  the  Six  Nations. 

In  vain  were  the  ollicers  of  the  garj'isons  at  Michili- 
mackinac  and  other  distant  forts  warned  b\'  traders,  who 
had  ventured  among  the  Indians,  that  a  general  disallec- 
tion  was  observable.  They  felt  secure,  and  no  S})ecial 
means  were  taken  to  avert  the  coming  storm. 

So  well  concerted  were  the  arrangements  for  attack,  and 
such  consummate  duplicity  and  deception  were  used  in 
carrying  them  out,  that  nearly  all  the  English  forts  at 
the  west  were,  v,^ithin  a  few  days  from  the  first  demon- 
stration, in  the  hands  of  the  savages,  the  garrisons  having 


in .  ■ 

■I"  ■ 


.|r  ^ 

■^'V;,.::^ 

,' 

■  •-. .     ■.  .¥. 

l: 

.  'ul 

"■^:h 

1^ 

,  . 

•»!? 


4,.;  I 


r 


.:M 


1 


L- 


f 


rOXTIAO's  WAR. 


843 


been  massacred  or  enslaved.  No  less  tliau  nine  trading 
and  military  posts  were  destroyed.  Of  tlie  seizure  of  Micli- 
ilimackinae,  next  to  Detroit  the  most  important  station  on 
the  lakes,  we  have  the  most  partieular  account. 

Hundreds  of  Indians,  mostly  Chi])pe\s'as  and  Sacs,  had 
been  loitering  about  the  place  for  some  days  previous,  and 
on  the  -1th  of  June  the}^  proceeded  to  celebrate  the  king's 
birthday  by  a  great  game  at  ball  Tliis  sport,  carried  on,  as 
usual,  with  noise  and  tumult,  threw  the  gamison  off  their 
guard,  at  the  same  time  that  it  afforded  a  pretext  for  clam- 
bering into  the  fort.  The  ball  was  several  times,  as  if  by 
accident,  knocked  within  the  pickets,  the  whole  gang  rush- 
ing in  pursuit  of  it  with  shouts.  At  a  favorable  moment 
they  fell  upon  the  English,  dispersed  and  unsuspicious  of 
intended  harm,  and  before  any  eil'eetual  resistance  could 
be  made,  murdered  and  scalped  sevent}'  of  tl.ie  number. 
The  remainder,  being  twenty  men,  were  taken  captive. 
A  Mr.  Ilenrj',  wdio,  by  the  good  offices  of  a  l\i\vnee 
woman,  was  concealed  in  the  house  of  a  Frenchman,  gives 
a  minute  detail  of  the  terrible  scene.  From  his  accoant, 
all  the  fury  of  the  savage  seems  to  have  been  aroused  in 
the  bosoms  of  the  assailants.  He  a\'ers  that  he  saw  them 
drinking  the  blood  of  their  mangled  victims  in  a  transpoi-t 
of  exulting  rage. 

Over  an  immense  disti'ict  of  countrj',  from  the  Ohio  to 
the  lakes,  the  outbreak  of  the  combined  nations  spread 
desolation  and  dismay. 


.J 


t 


'*''!■! 


tiM?2 


nrr; 


814 


IN' 1)1  AN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


ClIAl'TKll  II. 


SIEGE  OF  UHTItOIT BATTLli  OK  BLOODY  BRIDGE. 


i« 


PoNTiAC  himself  turned  liis  attention  to  the  reduction 
of  Detroit.  Ho  well  knew  tluit  a  rich  booty  awaited  him 
if  he  could  possess  himself  of  this  important  jjlace,  and 
laid  his  plans  with  cantion  and  care  suitable  to  the  magni- 
tude of  the  enterprise.  The  town  was  fortified  by  pickets 
and  blockdiouses,  and  contained  a  garrison  of  one  liun- 
drcd  and  thiily  men.  The  other  inhabitants  consisted  of 
only  a  few  traders. 

Pontiac's  intention  was  to  demand  a  conference  with 
Major  Gladwyn,  the  commandant,  taking  with  him  as  many 
of  his  warriors  as  could  obtain  admittance;  and  at  a  given 
signal  to  fall  upon  and  kill  the  officers  of  the  garrison.  Tlie 
work  of  destruction  was  to  be  completed  by  tlie  aid  of  liis 
followers  from  without  the  foi't.  Those  whom  he  had  clio- 
sen  to  share  with  him  th^  '  (er  of  the  first  ouslauuht, 
were  each  furnished  with  -  _fle,  having  the  barrel  so 
shortened  that  it  could  be  concealed  under  the  blanket 
usually  worn  by  an  Indian  as  his  outer  garment. 

The  account  generally  received  of  the  manner  in  which 
Major  Gladwyn  became  acquainted  with  the  plot,  and  of 
the  means  resorted  to  by  him  to  ward  off  the  danger,  is 
as  follows:  Pontiac,  with  several  hundred  warriors,  p]-e- 
sented  himself  without  the  camp,  and  requested  an  audi- 
ence. On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  11  squaw  came  to 
deliver  to  the  Major  a  pair  of  moccasins  which  he  had 
engaged  her  to  make  from  an  elk-skin.  After  he  had 
{)raiscd  her  work,  paid  her  handsomely,  and  dismissed  her, 
with  directions  to  convert  the  rest  of  the  skin  into  similar 
articles,  she  continued  to  linger  about  the  premises,  a])pa- 
rently  in  an  unsatisfied  frame  of  mind.  Iler  answers  to 
those  who  questioned  her  were  so  singular,  particularly  a 


.iJ 


rr" 


PONTIAU'S  WAll. 


345 


liii.t  tlmt  slie  dropped  respecting  the  difllculty  slic  should 
lipvc  in  "bringing  the  skin  bueli,"  that  tlic  Major  exam- 
ined lier  closely,  and  succeeded  in  obtaining  full  particu- 
lars of  tlie  impending  danger.  The  poor  woman,  ail'ected 
by  his  kindness,  had  been  unwilling  to  sec  her  patron  mur- 
dered, but  fear  of  the  vengeance  of  her  own  pco[)lc,  or  a 
natural  feeling  of  interest  in  their  success,  had  restrained 
her  from  sooner  betraying  their  deadly  purpose. 

Through  the  night,  and  previous  to  the  morning's  con- 
ference, the  Indians  were  distinctly  heard  performing  their 
war-songs  and  dances;  but  no  intimation  was  given  them 
of  any  suspicion* and  the  party  deputed  for  the  grand  talk 
was  admitted  within  the  pickets.  Pontiac  saw  that  the 
gai'rison  was  under  arms,  and  he  at  once  asked  the  reason 
for  such  precautions.  The  major  represented  that  it  was 
merely  to  discipline  his  soldiers. 

The  Ottowa  chief  opened  the  council  with  a  haughty 
and  threatening  speech,  and  was  about  to  give  the  signal 
for  attack — by  some  peculiar  mode  of  delivering  a  wam- 
jjum  belt  to  the  commandant — when  a  sudden  change  in 
the  demeanor  of  the  English  quelled  and  discomposed  him. 
lie  heai-d  the  drums  beat,  and  saw  every  soldier's  musket 
levelled,  and  the  swords  of  the  officers  drawn  and  ready  for 
use.  ^Fajor  Gladwyn,  stepping  to  the  warrior  nearest  him, 
lifted  his  blanket,  and  disclosed  the  shortened  rifle.  lie 
then  upbraided  the  sachem  for  his  intended  villany,  and, 
taking  rio  advantage  of  the  opportunity  for  securing  him, 
gave  proof  of  his  own  high-minded  sense  of  honor  by 
disiuissLng  the  whole  party  unharmed.  The  premeditated 
treachery  of  Pontiac  would  have  fully  justified  the  com- 
mandant in  taking  his  life,  had  he  deemed  it  necessary  for 
the  protection  of  himself  and  people. 

Immediately  subsequent  to  the  failure  of  this  undertak- 
ing, the  Indians  began  openly  to  attack  the  town.  They 
baibarously  mui'dei'cd  a  Mrs.  Turnbell  and  her  two  sons. 


II- 


u\-.^ 


'I'.'J 


t! 


810 


INDFAX   HACKS   oF   AMKIMCA. 


who  lived  a  .short   di-lniifi'  (Voin   I'lu'  I'.irt;  and  killed  or 
took  pi'isoiiri's  tlif  (>ccii|iai)ts  of  aiM'.<t:il)lisliiiii'iit  bidouying 


to  .1  Ml'.  .laiiH's  l""isln'i',  ,^till  I'liitlici' 


nil  llic  i'i\^ 


V 


I'oin    li\('    linndivd    tn  ;i    tli(ins:iii 


In.l 


lans  wcfc  now 


80(Mi  collcclcd  to  hiv  .si('L;;o  to  the  town.  'I'lie  condilion  of 
the  garrison  a|ijM'ari'd  pci'doiis  in  ihi'  cxd'cnic,  not,  only 
from  the  instillii'iont,  snpl'ly  oL'  pi-ovi.sioii.^,  l>nl  from  llio 
iiccc.^.sity  lor  k(H>pin,^'  constant  wateli  throughout  the  wholo 

ers  \vei'(>  "weavied   hy 


extent  of  the  stockade.  The  soM 
being  (.'ontinually  on  (hil\',  by  the  loss  oC  their  natural 
re.st;  but  tlii'ir  eour;i,iie  and  spirit  ai)peared  to  Ije  unsub- 
dui.Ml,  and  the  eoinni.Miiilant'  abandoned  Ids  lli'st  intention 
of  evaenating  the  place.  The  I'"reneh  who  wei'i'  residing 
iu  Detroit  broii<j,Jil  about  a  negotiation,  but  Pontiae  insisted 
upon  tlu'  sui'rendei-  ol'  lh(>  town,  and  ol'  all  the  \aluablo 
goods  stoi'ed  there,  as  the  onlv  eoiidition  upon  which  be 


wot 


lid    diseonlinu(>    hostilitie 


lie    uiaior   was  (Niua 


detei'niined  in  his  intention  ol' maintaining  his  position. 


T\ 


le  sie'''e  commencei 


I  (>arb 


.M 


d 


\'  lu   A!a\',  and  no  succor  or 


suj)plies    I'eached   the    gai'rison    for  uioi'e   than   a  mouth. 
About  the  (Mid  of  Afay  an  attempt  h;id  been  mad(>  to  land 


for( 


C(\s  and  pi'o\isii )ns  b\-  boat 


s  seni 


IVom  Niagara,  but  the 


vigilance  of  the  lii'lians  reiideicd  it  aboiiive.  Ahiuy  of 
the  Euglish  wei'(>  slain,  ami  many  nioi'e  were  I'cservtid  to 
glut  the  vtMigeanec^  of  the  sa\'ages,  at  th(>  stake. 

Tn  the  m(Uith  olMune,  a  ^•essel,  also  from  Niagara,  made 
her  way  up  tlu^  ri  V(U-,  in  s]>ite  of  the  attacks  of  the  Indians, 
who  exposed  their  li\-es  with  the  utmost  temerity  iu  at- 
tempts to  board  luu-.  b'ifty  soldier.s  were  landed  at  the 
fort,  and  ;i  timely  sup])]}"  of  provision  gave  new  courage 
to  the  we.'try  garrison.  Mr.  Thatcher,  in  his  "Indian 
Biograpliy,"  gives  extracts  from  various  letters,  written 
from  the  fort  during  the  siege,  which  quaintly  enough 
poi'tray  the  condition  of  its  inmates.  We  quote  the  follow- 
ing from  a  letter  of  July  9th  (1763): 


:u 


'       1      ',       #:. 


rONTIAC's  WAU. 


047 


"^^Ml  liiivoloDg  a^o  li(>anl  of  our  jiloasnnt  Situation,  Lut 
the  sloriii  is  l)Io\vii  over.  AV'us  it  not  veiy  a;jjre('a1)Io  to 
hear  every  J)a_y  of  tlieir  cutting,  carving,  lK)iling  and  cai- 
iug  our  conij)anions?  'J'o  sec  every  Day  dead  l^odics 
floating  down  tlic  llivcr,  mangled  and  disllgured?  J>iit 
Jiritons,  you  know,  never  shrink;  we  always  appeared 
gay  to  spite  the  llascals.  They  iMjiled  and  eat  Sir  K'obert 
Devers;  and  wo  arc  infonucd,  by  ^fr.  Tauly,  who  escaped, 
the  other  Day,  from  one  of  tiio  Stations  surprised  at  the 
i)i"eaking  outof  the  War,  and  commanded  by  himsi'lf,  that 
he  had  seen  an  Indian  have  the  Skin  of  Captain  llobert- 
son's  arm  for  a  'robacco-Ponch!" 

A  reinforcement  of  some  threes  hundred  men,  nndor 
Captain  Dalyell,  reached  Detroit  the  last  of  July.  Thus 
strengthened,  the  commander  deemed  it  advisable;  to  make 
an  immediate  sally,  and,  if  'H)ssiblo,  break  np  tli{>  Indian 
encamjnnent.  Pontiac  licard  of  the  intended  niovcineiil, 
and  was  well  prci)ared  for  the  l^higlish  wIumi  they  made 
their  sortie  in  the  evening.  So  deadly  and  iincx])cctcd 
was  the  fire  of  the  Indians,  who  lay  concealed  on  either 
side  of  the  path,  near  the  bridge  over  Bloody  Pam,  that 
more  than  one  hundred  of  the  troops  were  said  to  have 
been  killed  or  womided. 

Subsequent  to  this  period  we  have  no  reliable  history  of 
the  acts  of  the  great  sachem  of  the  Ottawas,  His  pco})le 
hung  round  Detroit  until  the  ensuing  spi'ing,  keeping  the 
inhabitants  in  continual  alarm.  'J'he  strong  force  which 
was  led  into  the  western  country  by  Genend  P^radstrcet  in 
the  early  part  of  the  summer  of  176-1,  clfectually  overawed 
and  quieted  the  hostile  Indians. 

Pontiac  is  said  to  have  been  assassinated  by  a  Peoria 
Indian,  in  the  English  interest,  while  attending  a  council  in 
1767.  Considerable  uncertainty,  however,  attends  the 
recital  of  the  latter  events  of  his  life,  and  of  the  causes 
which  led  to  his  death. 


'1 

'  t 

i; 


•,.,>, 


■■',1 
V  ) 

*  I 

*        I 


I'm 


i; 

1  ..«   i '  »il'-J 

■   ^'1 

Mi 

m^ 

i'lSi 

iill 


.i:«-y 


n.--- 


TIIE  DELAWARES,  SIIAWANEES, 

AND  OTHER  TIUDIvS  OP  TIIJ]  MIDUI.E  AM)  WESTEllN  HTATEa 


CIIATTKU  I. 


|:^;t 


« 


THE    DF.r-AWAnKS — UMF.MAM    PRNN ST.    TAMMANY — THE 

MOIIAVIANS — TlIK  SIIAWNKKS — KKKNCH  AND  INDIAN 

WAK BKADDOCK's  DKFKAT MASSACRE  OF  THE 

CANKSTOGA  INDIANS DANIEI.  HOONl- 


"A  iioblo  nice!  lint  tlicy  Jiro  gone 
Witli  their  did  lorcsts  wide  :irul  deep, 
And  wo  liiivo  built  our  lictnu's  upon 
Fields  wiiere  their  genoratidns  sleep." 

Ukyant. 

AvSSOCiATED  with  the  early  history  of  the  Dclawarcs  are 
thoughts  of  WilHam  Penii,  and  of  his  peaceful  intercourse 
with,  and  powerful  influence  over,  the  wild  natives  with 
wlioin  he  treated.  At  the  first  settlement  of  the  country 
by  Europeans,  the  tribes  of  this  nation  occupied  no  small 
portion  of  the  present  state  of  Pennsylvania,  but  tlicir 
principal  settlements  lay  between  the  Potomac  and  the 
Hudson.  Situated  between  the  great  northern  and  south- 
ern confederacies,  tliey  were  in  turn  at  enmity  and  engaged 
ill  wars  with  either  party;  but,  at  an  early  day,  they  were 
in  a  measure  subdued  and  reduced  to  a  state  of  inferiority 
by  the  Six  Nations. 

The  conduct  of  Penn  towards  the  Indians  has  ever  been 
spoken  of  with  high  admiration;  and  avc  are  assured  that 
his  care  for  tlicir  interests,  and  anxiety  to  secure  their 


■cs  are 
Icourse 

s  with 
untry 
small 

their 
1(1  the 
south- 
igagod 

wcro 
[riority 

[r  been 
3d  that 
their 


.••^It 


wn.i.i/iM    py.wv 


m«i  Turn 


THE  DELA WAKES,  SIIAWANEES,  ETC. 


349 


riglits,  Tind  to  protect  tlicm  from  wrongs  and  aggression, 
caused  liis  name  to  be  idolized  among  the  Delawarcs. 
Upon  obtaining  the  immense  grant  from  the  crown,  named 
Permsylvania  at  the  time  of  its  bestowment,  his  first 
thought  was  to  draw  up  a  table  of  "  conditions  and  con- 
cessions," for  the  government  of  these  who  should  adven- 
ture with  him  in  the  settlement  of  the  wilderness.  He 
expressly  stipulated,  in  behalf  of  the  Indians,  that  their 
persons  and  property  should  be  protected  by  the  same 
laws  and  j^enalties  as  those  of  the  whites;  that  overreaching 
in  trade  should  be  avoided  by  the  conduct  of  all  sales  in 
market  overt;  that  a  jury  of  six  whites  and  six  Indians 
should  pass  upon  matters  in  dispute  between  individuals 
of  the  different  races;  and  that  the  interest  of  the  Indian 
should  be  made  the  special  care  of  every  magistrate. 

In  the  autumn  of  1682,  Pcnn  came  over  from  England 
to  regulate  his  new  colony,  and  especially  to  confirm  the 
friendly  relations  existing  with  the  Indians  inhabiting  his 
territory.  In  Clarkson's  ]\[emoirs  of  Penn,  the  following 
mention  is  made  of  his  grand  treaty  with  these  nat've  pro- 
prietors* From  religious  scruples,  he  did  not  consider  his 
claim,  by  virtue  of  the  king's  grant,  to  be  valid  v^ithout 
the  assent  of  the  occupants,  and  he  determined  to  make 
honorable  purchases  of  all  that  he  should  require.  Ar- 
rangements had  been  made,  by  commissioners,  previous 
to  Penn's  arrival,  for  a  great  meeting,  for  the  purpose  of 
ratifying  the  proposed  sale.  "He  proceeded,  therefore, 
(at  the  appointed  time,)  accompanied  by  his  friends,  con- 
sisting of  men,  women,  and  young  persons  of  both  sexes, 
to  Coaquannoc,  the  Indian  name  for  the  place  where 
Philadelphia  now  stands.  On  his  arrival  there,  he  found 
the  sachems  and  their  tribes  assembling.  They  were  seen 
in  the  woods,  as  for  as  the  eye  could  carry,  and  looked 
frightful,  both  on  account  of  their  number  and  their  arms. 
The  Qualccrs  are  reported  to  have  been  but  a  hiindrul  iji 


I! 


'  I 


■ 

IP™'"! 

Iff:  'S,    ' 

ill 


\^^-r 

%     - 

'  '  '  ■': 

fly 

■r  , 


.■•(^ 


OOK 


0 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


comparison,  and  tlicsc  witliout  any  weapon — so  tliat  dis- 
may and  terror  liad  come  upon  them,  had  they  not  con- 
fided in  the  ri'ditcousness  of  their  cause." 

Tiie  conference  took  place  upon  the  site  afterwards 
occupied  by  the  town  of  Kensington,  a  few  miles  above 
Philadelphia,  and  called,  by  the  Indians,  Shackcrmaxon. 
"There  was,  at  Shackcrmaxon,  an  elm-tree  of  prodigious 
Bize.  To  this  the  leaders,  on  both  sides,  repaired,  approach- 
ing each  other  under  its  widely-spreading  branches." 
Penn  wore  no  ornament,  or  symbol  of  authority,  cxce})t  a 
V)]uc  sash.  Standing  up  before  the  assembly,  he  directed 
the  articles  of  merchandize  brought  for  the  purchase,  to  be 
spread  before  him,  and,  displaying  the  engrossed  co[)y  of 
the  treaty,  awaited  the  movements  of  the  Indian  chiefs. 

"One  of  the  sachems,  Avho  was  Chief  among  them,  j)Ut 
upon  his  own  head  a  kind  of  chaplet,  in  which  there  ap- 
peared a  small  horn.  This,  as  among  the  primitive  Eastern 
nations,  and,  according  to  scripture  language,  was  an  em- 
blem of  kingly  power.  *  *  Upon  putting  on  this  horn, 
the  Indians  threw  down  their  bows  and  arrows,  and  seated 
themselves  round  their  chiefs,  in  the  form  of  a  half- moon 
upon  the  ground." 

The  interpi'ctcr  now  announced  the  readiness  of  the 
chiefs  to  listen,  and  Penn  proceeded  to  read  and  explain 
the  provisions  of  the  treaty.  He  premised  that  he  and  his 
people  used  no  warlike  implements,  but  that  all  their 
desire  was  for  peace  and  concord.  By  the  articles  of 
agreement,  the  Indians  were  to  be  allowed  to  retain  pos- 
session, for  all  needful  purposes,  even  of  the  land  sold, 
and  partic  .  "^  specifications  were  inserted,  touching  the 
manner  in  whicli  their  rights  should  be  enforced. 

He  then  made  the  stipulated  payments;  distributed  ad- 
ditional presents;  and,  laying  the  parchmenton  the  ground, 
proceeded  to  say  that  "he  would  not  do  as  the  Maryland- 
ers  did,  that  is,  call  them  Children  or  Brothers  only ;  Ibr 


rr-'- 


n 


II 

I  i 

li 


Till';  J);':la\vajU':s,  siiawaxp^es,  etc. 


351 


often  Purcuts  were  apt  to  wliip  their  cliildrcn  too  severely, 
and  Brothers  Konictinies  would  differ:  ncitlier  would  ho 
compare  the  Friendship  between  liini  and  them  to  a  Cluiln, 
for  the  rain  niiglLt  sometimes  rust  it,  or  a  tree  might  iliU 
and  break*  it;  but  he  should  consider  tliein  as  the  same 
flesh  and  blood  with  the  Christians,  and  the  same  as  if  one 
man's  body  were  to  be  divided  into  two  parts."  Handing 
the  parchment  to  the  chief  sachem,  Penn  then  desired  him 
and  his  associates  "to  preserve  it  carefully  for  three  gen- 
erations, that  their  children  might  know  what  had  passed 
between  them,  just  as  if  he  had  remained  himself  with 
them  to  repeat  it.  *  *  '  This,'  says  Voltaire,  '  was  thu 
only  treaty  between  those  people  and  the  Christians  tluit 
was  not  ratified  by  nii  oath,  and  that  never  was  broken.'" 

After-accounts  of  tlie  Indians,  as  given  by  Penn  and  his 
associates,  in  which  tlic  estimable  points  of  native  charac- 
ter are  pleasingly  portrayed,  contrast  strangely  with  the 
maledictions  and  bitter  expressions  of  hatred  which  too 
many  of  the  early  chroniclers  heap  upon  their  Indian  ene- 
mies. Never  was  a  truer  saying  than  the  Spanish  proverb, 
"he  who  has  injured  you  will  never  forgive  you." 

The  name  by  wliicli  these  Indians  have  ever  been  desig- 
nated, was  bestowed  u}ion  them  by  the  English,  from 
Lord  De  la  War :  in  their  own  t(5ngue  tl  ey  were  called  tlio 
Lenni  Lenape,  (Original  People,)  as  the  chief  and  principal 
stock  from  which  mankind  in  general  had  sprung. 

Conspicuous  among  the  traditions  of  the  DelawtiTcs 
appears  the  name  of  tlicir  old  chief  Tamanend,  or  Tam- 
many. We  have  no  very  specific  accounts  of  the  history 
of  this  renowned  sachem,  but  the  veneration  with  which 
the  Indians  recounted  his  wisdom  and  virtues  served  to 
raise  his  character  so  high  with  the  colonists  that  he  was, 
in  a  manner,  canoni/^cd.  The  "Home  Journal,"  of  June 
12th,  1852,  makes  the  following  mention  of  the  singular 
respect  paid  to  his  memor}'-: 


1 

'Hi 

1 

m 

lfli 

kII 

It 

ml 

•if  1' 

fflraM 

II 

HI 

1l  ,■ 

f  ■  1 

:  '  •<    9 

'>*    m 

.11 

■m 

, 

iiflNi 

SIm 

'  '4^>'||ntraH 

'  >- 1  '^illM 

t!: 

v:  i!vf:^fiM| 

'  »■    / . .  ■(•  ii'rt®"?><^ 

rPi'MI 

■  i 


:--:;-|1j| 


Is' 


W'-"^' 


I    ■  {    ■ 


P 


--"n 


852 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMKIIICA. 


"St.  Tammany  is,  ^vo  believe,  our  only  American  Saint. 
He  Avas  the  cliief  of  an  Indian  ti-ibc  which  inhabited  Penn- 
sylvania, while  that  state  was  still  a  colony,  and  excited 
so  niueh  i'es]ieet  by  his  virtues  and  exploits,  both  among 
the  white  and  ]vd  men,  that,  after  his  death,  ho  was  can- 
onized, and  the  day  of  his  birth,  the  tirst  of  jSIay,  regarded 
as  a  hoUday. 

" '  A]\  Christian  countries,'  says  the  Savannah  ]ie})ubHcan, 
'have  their  tutelar  saint.  England  has  her  St.  Geoi-ge; 
Scotland  her  St.  Andrew;  Ireland  her  St.  Patrick;  France 
her  St.  Crispan;  and  Spain  her  St.  Jago.  In  this  country 
we  have  St.  Tammany.  Throughout  the  Eevolutionary 
War,  the  natal-day  of  this  saint  was  observed  with  great 
res]iect,  by  the  army  as  well  as  by  the  people.  It  was  not 
till  jNIr.  JeiTerson's  administration,  when  General  Dearborn 
was  Secretary  of  War,  that  the  observance  of  it  by  the 
Jirmy  was  dispensed  with,  and  the  change  was  made  then 
only  with  the  vicAV  of  carrying  out  the  system  of  retrench- 
ment which  the  president  sought  to  introduce  in  the 
administration  of  the  government.  The  tirst  fort  built  at 
St.  Mary's,  Camden  county,  and  perhaps  the  first  fort  in 
the  state,  was  called  Fort  St.  Tammany.  A  gentleman 
now  residing  in  this  city  was  present,  while  a  boy,  at  a 
celebration,  by  the  ofhcers  and  soldiers  stationed  at  the  fort, 
of  St.  Tammany's-day.  The  Alay-pole  used  on  this  occa- 
sion was  a  tree,  with  its  branches  and  bark  removed;  aud 
around  that  the  soldiers  danced  and  celebrated  the  d;iy."' 

It  was  among  the  Delawares  that  one  of  the  most  inter- 
esting communities  of  Ciiristian  Indians  ever  existing  in 
America,  was  established  hy  the  eilbrts  of  the  Moi-aviau 
mission.  The  venerable  Count  Zinzendorf,  David  Zeis- 
berger,  and  John  Heckewelder,  were  zealous  and  promi- 
nent partakers  in  the  work  of  converting  and  insti'ucting 
the  Indians.  From  Heckewelder  we  have  received  much 
minute  and  interesting  detail  of  the  habits  of  the  pco} 


)IC 


I! 


:ij 


(•or.   oKonof.    ivjisu ixnrox. 


''':w 


f ;    ■  ■. 

• 

1 

'i't  i 

> 

i 

■V  i 

%■    ' 

,-^/\,  *l 

ri 

' 

v"^ 

t 

« 

j'i 

■1 

. 

n .' 

''''■P'  I' 

THE  DEI.AWAIIPIS,  SIIAWAXEES,  ETC. 


i353 


among  whom  he  laborcJ,  and  tlic  humanizing  imd  endur- 
ing infliieiiee  of  Christian  doctrine,  enforced  by  good 
example  on  the  part  of  its  preachers. 

The  circunistanees  under  which  the  missionarv  work 
was  carried  on,  were  extremely  adverse.  Dui-ing  the  long 
and  bloody  French  and  Indian  wars,  every  tale  of  border 
cruelties  and  massacre,  committed  by  the  savages,  would 
instantly  arouse  a  spirit  of  retaliation  against  the  whole 
race,  which  frequently  resulted  in  the  most  brutal  outrages 
against  the  peaceful  i\foravian  Indians.  A  population  of 
lawless  whh'es  inhabited  the  border  country,  whom  Ileckc- 
welder  mildly  rebukes  in  the  following  terms: 

"I  have  yet  to  notice  a  class  of  peopL^.  generally  known 
to  us  by  the  name  of  'backwoodsmen,'  many  of  whom, 
acting  up  to  a  pretended  belief,  that  'an  Indian  has  no 
more  soul  than  a  buH'alo;' and  that  to  kill  either  \a  the 
same  thing;  have,  from  time  to  time,  by  their  conduct, 
brought  great  trouble  and  bloodshed  on  the  country. 
Such  then  I  wish  to  caution,  not  to  sport  in  that  manner 
with  the  lives  of  God's  creatures.  '^'  ''^'  *  *  Believe  that 
a  time  A\  Ul  come  when  you  must  account  fur  such  vile 
deeds!  When  those  who  have  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  your 
wickedness,  will  be  called  forth  in  judgment  against  you! 
nay,  when  your  own  descendants  ivill  testify  against  you." 


The  Shawances  were  a  very  extensive  and  warlike  tribe. 
They  were,  according  to  Indian  tradition,  originally  from 
the  south,  having  inhabited  the  country  in  tlie  vicinity  of 
Savannah,  in  Georgia,  and  a  }iortion  of  AYest  Florida. 
Being  engaged  in  continual  war  with  the  Creeks  and  other 
southern  nations,  and  being  of  an  adventurous  and  roving 
disposition,  they  finally  emigrated  northward,  and  were 
received  upon  terms  of  friendship  by  the  ])elawares. 
They  settled  in  Western  Pennsylvania,  extending  tliem- 
28 


.<! 


'1'  fa 

^  i  'f'U 


I*  ■  t'l 


I  ♦' 


V  **.■;■; 


U  ''■  ■i-i^'.'''%i 


:■'■  ,-.t*.. 


ipi-- 


«    I 


'€mi 


M"W 


'-mv 


€:v; 


■• 


N     ., 


1 1 


854 


INDIAN  racp:s  of  amp:rica. 


selves  gradually  farther  Vv'cst,  and  mingling  witli  otlu.r 
neighboring  nations,  'l^lieir  head-quarters  were,  in  early 
timers,  not  far  from  Pittsburgh.  In  their  new  homes  they 
prospered  and  increased,  and  long  remained  one  of  tlie 
most  formidable  nations  of  the  west.  They  united  with 
the  Delawares  in  hostilities  against  the  southern  tribes. 

In  after-times,  thrilling  legends  of  war  and  massacre  in 
"the  dark  and  bloody  ground,"  and  throughout  the  west- 
ern border,  attest  the  acti\'e  and  dangerous  spirit  of  this  war- 
like aud  implacable  tribe.  In  the  French  and  Indian  wars, 
and  in  the  long  struggle  which  resulted  in  our  national 
independence,  they  were  so  mingled  with  other  Avostci'ii 
tribes  that  we  shall  not  attempt  to  distinguish  them,  nor 
shall  we  devote  that  -space  to  the  biography  of  many  of 
their  chiefs  and  warriors  which  their  pioCvess  might  de- 
mand in  a  more  extended  work.  We  shall  give,  in  their 
order,  some  of  the  more  celebrated  Indian  campaigns  at 
the  west,  with  various  incidents  connected  with  the  first 
settlement  of  the  western  states. 

About  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  the  French, 
as  already  mentioned,  had,  in  strengthening  their  cordon 
of  posts  between  their  settlements  in  Canada  and  liouis- 
iana,  formed  alliance  with  many  Indian  tribes  to  Avhom 
they  were  brought  in  proximity.  Their  nearest  and  most 
dangerous  aj)proach  to  tlie  English  establishments,  was  in 
the  erection  of  the  military  stronghold  called  Fort  Du- 
quesnc  at  the  confluence  of  the  Alleghany  and  Mononga- 
hela.  In  the  attempt  to  dislodge  them  from  this  post  the 
military  talents  of  George  Washington  were  first  exhibited. 
After  distinguishing  himself  by  his  bravery  and  prudence 
in  contests  with  the  Indians  and  French,  which,  owing  to 
an  insufficiency  of  force,  resulted  in  nothing  decisive  or 
materially  advantageous,  he  Avas  attached  to  the  powerful 
army  under  General  Braddock,  in  the  capacity  of  aid-de- 
camp to  the  commanding  officer. 


1 1 


1 1 


-"^ 


icy 
the 
■itli 


!  ( 


J  111      j 

■est- 
,var-    j 

'AYS,      ; 

uiial    ; 
;tern    1 

nor 
yuf 
t  de- 
tlieir 
lis  at 

first 

iicli, 
irdou 
(Ouis- 
lioni 
most 
us  in 
Du- 
1)11  !i"a- 
It  tlio 
|)lted. 
lonco 
[ig  to 
i-e  or 
rerful 
d-de- 


i  ! 


li 


TIIK  DKLAWAUKS,  SIIAWANPIKS,  ETC. 


355 


With  a  force  of  more  tlian  two  thousand  men,  besides 
some  Indian  alUes,  tlic  British  general  set  systematically 
about  the  reduction  of  the  French  fort.  TiCaving  a  large 
body  of  troops  under  Colonel  Dunbar,  at  (Ireat  Meadows, 
he  marched  in  compact  military  array  to  the  attack.  No 
one  doul)ts  the  courage  of  General  Braduock,  or  his  capa- 
city to  have  conducted  a  campaign  in  an  open  and  inhabited 
country,  but  his  dogmatic  obstinacy  and  adherence  to  es- 
tablished tactics  jiroved,  upon  this  occasion,  the  destruction 
of  himself  and  his  ax  my. 

When  AVashington,  then  only  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
respectfully  represented  to  his  superior  the  danger  of  an 
exposed  march  through  a  country  like  that  they  were  trav- 
ersing, and  suggested  the  necessity  for  providing  a  sufhcient 
party  of  scouts  acquainted  with  the  locality,  to  guard 
against  surprise,  he  was  insultingly  checked  by  the  c^jacu- 
lation:  "High  times!  high  times!  Vv'hen  a  young  Buck- 
skin teaches  a  British  general  how  to  fight." 

It  was  on  the  0th  of  July,  1755,  that  the  engagement 
took  place.  Captain  Contracceur,  who  had  command  of 
the  fort,  had  obtained  information  of  the  advance  upon 
the  previous  day,  and  dispatched  M.  de  Beaujeu,  with  all 
the  troops  he  could  muster,  to  meet  the  enemy.  His  whole 
available  force  consisted  of  from  five  hundred  to  one  thou- 
sand men,  of  whom  the  mnjority  were  Indians,  but  a 
knowledge  of  the  ground,  and  the  gross  error  of  the  Eng- 
lish commander,  more  than  compensated  for  the  disparity 
in  numbers  and  discipline.  An  ambush  was  formed  where 
a  ravine  led  from  a  plain  into  a  high  wooded  piece  of 
ground.  The  advancing  column  had  no  sooner  penetrated 
into  this  defile  than  the  attack  commenced. 

A  most  appalling  carnage  ensued:  the  Indians,  firing 
from  covert  upon  the  closely  marshalled  ranks  of  tlu^ 
regulars,  soon  threw  them  into  utter  confusion.  M.  Beau- 
jeu, was,  indeed,  killed  at  the  first  onset,  but  his  lieuten- 


I  .yf 


ri 

;»•! 


ii 


1 1 


35« 


INDIAN    \i\r\:^  or  AMKIMCA. 


ant,  Dumas,  continued  to  iiis|>iiv  liis  troops,  and  cliccr  tliom 
on  to  tlicir  now  easy  victory.  A  i'(^iiipleto  n)ut  ensued, 
and  tlie  Indians,  rusliiiii,^  iVom  tlieir  places  of  coneealinent, 
lell  upon  the  jiiiiiic-striekeii  Cii^ilives  wi*')  llieir  deadly 
tonialiawks.     Tlie  N'irgiiiians  alone  [)■  ni  any  deLiree 

elleetivo  in  resisting  the  enemy  and  nering  the;  disc^r- 
derly  retreat.  Tlie  h)^!^^  on  the  pai't  of  the  British,  in 
killed,  wounded  and  [)ris()ii('i's,  was  not,  I'ai-  I'rom  eight 
hundred.  All  the  artilleiy  and  baggage  lell  into  the  luuuls 
of  the  French,  who,  with  their  Indian  allies,  remained  in 
undisputed  possession  of  tlic  field. 

Falling  back  upon  Colonel  Dunbar's  reserve,  instead  of 
making  a  renewed  stand,  the  whole  army  continued  a 
jireeipitate  retreat  into  A'^irginia.  In  this  a'jtion  most  of 
the  Virginia  trooj)s,  who,  adopting  the  Indian  manner  of 
warfare,  betook  themselves  to  sheltered  positions  wlicn  the 
fight  commenced,  fell  victims  to  their  constancy  and  brave- 
ry. Colonel  Washington  had  not  fully  recovered  froni 
a  severe  attack  of  illness  at  the  time  and  was  with  great 
dilficulty  able  to  undergo  the  fatigues  incident  to  his  po- 
sition. He  had  two  horses  shot  under  him,  and  received 
four  bullets  through  his  coat,  but  escaped  from  tlie  con- 
flict unwounded.  General  Braddock  died  a  few  days  after, 
of  a  wound  in  the  lungs. 


The  Delawares,  and  more  especially  the  Shawanees,  were 
imj)licated  in  the  extensive  cons])iracy  excited  by  the  re- 
nowned Pontiac,  in  the  year  17(33.  It  was  in  tliis  year 
that  a  cruel  and  disgraceful  outrage  was  perpetrated  upon 
a  peaceful  community  of  Indians  at  Canestoga,  near  I^an- 
caster.  No  sooner  had  news  of  Indian  murders  and  rav- 
ages been  spread  among  the  white  settlements,  than  a 
determination  was  evinced  by  certain  miscreants  to  de- 
stroy these  harmless  peo])h\  uj^'on  suspici  )n  oi'  jn-eteuce 


:* 


THE  WKF-AWAUKS,  SUA  W  ANKI.S,   ElV. 


857 


tliut  they  were  ecincenicd,  in  some  wiiy,  in  tlio  recent 
border  outraj^'es. 

'I'liu  Canestogii  Indians  were  H-w  in  luunlicr,  and  per- 
leelly  peaeefnl  and  inoll'ensive.  They  liad  inliabitt'd  the 
fciainu  little  .settlement  for  more  than  a  centuiy,  and,  aeeoi'd- 
in<^  to  Ileekewelder,  "llu'ir  ancestors  had  been  among 
those  who  liad  welcomed  William  I'cnn,  on  his  lirst  ar- 
rival in  this  country;  presenting  him,  at  the  time,  with 
venison,  &c." 

Ill  the  month  of  November,  (ITOo,)  fifty-«'^vcn  white 
savages  staffed  from  Paxton  to  destroy  this  establishment. 
They  nuirdered  all  wliom  they  could  lind,  to  the  number 
of  fourteen,  of  every  age  and  sex:  the  rcMiiainder  (fifteen 
or  twenty)  escaped  to  liancaster,  and  were  locked  up,  for 
safety,  in  the  jail,  llithci-  the  "J'axton  boy.s,"  as  they 
were  termed,  pursued  the  poor  ci-eatures,  and,  breaking 
into  the  inclosure,  brutally  massacred  tlu>  whole  of  them. 
The  following  is  (extracted  from  the  letter  of  an  eye-wit- 
ness to  this  transaction. 

"  *  *  I  ran  into  the  jn-ison-yard,  and  there,  0  what  a 

hori'id  sight  })resented  itself  to  my  view!! Near  the 

back  door  of  tlie  })i'is()n,  lay  an  old  Indian  and  liis  srpiaw, 
(wife,)  particularly  well  known  and  esteemed  by  the  peo- 
ple of  the  town,  on  account  of  his  placid  and  friendly 
conduct.  His  name  was  Will  Sock;  across  him  and  his 
squaw  lay  two  children  of  [ibout  the  age  of  three  years, 
whose  heads  were  split  with  the  tomahawk,  and  their 
scali)s  all  taken  off.  Towards  the  middle  of  the  gaol -yard, 
along  the  west  side  of  the  wall,  lay  a  stout  Indian,  whom 
I  particularly  noticed  to  have  been  shot  in  the  breast,  his 
legs  were  chop])ed  with  the  tomahawk,  his  hands  cut  off, 
and  finally  a  rifle-ball  discharged  in  his  mouth;  so  that 
his  head  was  blown  to  atoms,  and  the  brains  were  splashed 
against,  and  yet  hanging  to  the  wall,  for  three  or  four  feet 
around.  *  '^'  In  this  manner  lay  the  whole  of  them,  men 


Mt 

iny 

1 

''i^'ll 

iu 

1 

(v  fj 

ifli 

1 

iilfl 

H^ 

1 

1   ' 

JtHi 

i 

*       ,  1 

au7., 

11* 

1 

* 


;;i 


,...1 


I 


i 


858 


INDIAN    HACKS  OF  AMKHICA. 


woiucti  iuid  cliildi'cii,  spi'i'iul  iil)i)Ul  the  jiiisoii-viii'il:  sliot — 
Bculpeil  - -luiclvi'd     and  cut  to  pit'ci'S.'' 

Tho  events  ol'Civsiip's  war,  in  wliidi  the  Shuwiinccs  and 
iVlawuiv.s  were  so  lar-j^cly  conoi'iiicd,  liavi;  lut  n  alivndy 
lirii'lly  dcsiiribi'il,  in  conncrtion  with  tlio  liistory  of  tin; 
Ii'ixiuoiis.  AriiTtla"  ^rcal  liallie  at  Point,  Plcusanl,  in  wliirli 
tliey  and  their  hWh's  were  dd'cati'd,  a  short  cessation  of 
liostilitios  hotwiXNi  them  and  the  colonists  ensned.  Tlie 
i)reakin;i,-  ont  of  tho  revolntionni'v  Wiir  revived  old  ani- 
mosities, and  sngne.sled  ni'w  niolivi'S  I'or  contention.  Tlu' 
Shawanees  were  early  won  over  to  esj)onso  the  IWitish 
interests:  the  division  of  the  Delaware's  upon  the  ijuestion 
will  !)('  lu'real'ter  ex})lained. 

The  best  information  hamleddown  to  us  (■Kncernin,^' tin; 
Shawanees,  at  this  pei'iod,  is  to  be  (bund  in  the  adxcntin'es 
ol'  the,  bold  jiioneer,  Daniel  lioon.  Impatient  of  the  w- 
straints  or  competitions  of  an  inhabited  eonntry,  and  led 
l)y  a  rovinjjf,  adventurous  spirit,  and  by  an  enthusiastii', 
admiration  of  the  beauties  and  j^'randeur  of  tli(^  unsettled 
western  wihU'rness,  li(>  forced  his  way  into  the  liaekless 
solitudes  of  Leiitueky,  anil  laid  the  foundation  of  a  settle- 
ment whose  jjjrowth  and  })rosperity  are  almost  unparalU'led. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1778,  Boone  was  taken  prisoner 
by  a  strong  force  of  these  Indians,  then  vw  their  UKireli 
against  tlie  settlemiMit,  at  Uoonesliorough.  Jle  was  eaiiied 
to  their  ])rineipal  t(Mvn,  Old  Chilieotlu",  on  the  Liule 
!Mianii,  and  there  had  abundant  opj)ortunity  for  obserx  ing 
their  native  peculiarities  and  usages.  His  character,  sonie- 
wdiat  analogous  to  that  of  Captain  John  Smith,  r.enjamin 
Church,  and  othei's,  noted  jbr  their  successes  A\ilh  the 
Indians,  was  bold,  frank,  and  fearless.  Men  of  such  nature 
and  disposition,  however  rude  and  uiicultivate<l,  are  always 
the  best  able  t  j  conciliate  the  affections,  as  well  as  exercise 
control  over  tin;  minds  of  savages. 

Boone's  captors  took  such  a  liking  to  him  that  thev 


TIIK  I)i:i,A\V.\Ui;S,  SIIAWAXKKS,  ETC. 


fino 


po.sitivch'  nTiist'd  to  deliver  liliii  up  li>  tlie  I'lii-lisli,  nt 
Detroit,  wliitlier  li(>  \v;is  eonveved  uilh  his  eoiiipMnioiis. 
lieiiviii;^  tli(!  rest  oC  their  prisoiiei's  ;it  that  post,  they  took 
liiiu  back  to  Diilieotlie,  re(nsin<r  th(>  jj;overiior's  (»ll'ei'  ol' onu 
liundred   |»oiiiids  iC  they  unuM    pai't   with   iheii'   l;ivol'it(\ 

I'oDiie  with   ^reat  eolil'tesy 


'n 


\C   KlIlLr  o 


r  th. 


ttil)c  troatt 


ami   I'espeet,  aiid   he  h;id  no  I'ea^^oii  to  eoliijilaiii  of  his  no- 
eoiiiliioiliiliotis,    as    lie    enjoyed    \\hate\('l'    eMiidi>rts    v.ci'e 

e  \v;is  ;idi  ipti'il   into  a 


M' 


ilhiii   ihi'  n-aeh  mI'  liis  iiiiisters.      II 


itiiiiy,  aeeonii 


t.)  tl 


10  usual    Imhau  eustoiu:   in   winch 


jiosition  lie  says:  "I  bc(!aine  a  son,  and  had  a  iLii'eat  share 
in  the  alTeetioii  of  inj'  liow  parents,  brothers,  sisters,  and 
friends.  I  was  e\C(>edingly  familiar  and  IViendiy  witli 
them,  always  a]ipeariug  as  eheerlul  a?id  satisfied  as  possi- 
ble, and  tlii^-  put  gr(>at  eonlideiii'e  in  nie." 

His  captivity  lasteil  iinlil  i1h'  montii  of  June,  wh(Mi,  n>- 
turnin'j'  from  a  salt-mak'ing  exeni'sion,  ou  tin'  Sejoto,  he. 
i'ound  roll)-  hiiudnMl  ;nitl  fifty  Shawanee  wai'riors,  enllected 
with  arms  and  war-paint,  and  bound  on  an  (>xpiMliti<.'n 
against  Boonesborough.  '^Phis  ineitetl  him  to  attempt  an 
esea])(\  that  lie  might  forewarn  the  settlement  of  tla^  intent. 
ITe  fled  a  littlt>  before  day,  on  thi^  1()lh,  and  made  the 
journey,  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  supported  by  a 
single  meal. 

'^^riie  bold  and  astonishing  d(>feiiec  of  the  little;  fort  at 
T^oonesboroiigli,  in  the  month  of  August,  against  a  large 
force  of  Indians,  aecompanied  by  certain  Frenebmen,  is 
simi)l  V  and  unostentatiously  described  in  the  autod)iograi")lp 


•aphy 


of  tliis  redonbted  ])ioneer.  ^riie  enemy,  after  a  siege  of 
tw^elve  days,  in  whieh  eveiy  expedient  of  force  and  treach- 
ery failed  to  dislodge  the  garrison,  were  forced  to  retire 
without  effecting  their  purj)ose.  One  of  their  stratagems 
was  as  follows:     A  treaty  Vas  proposed  by  the  assailants, 


and  after  the  articles  were  drawn 


up 


in  front  of  the  fort. 


and  formally  signed,  in  the  words  of  the  narrative:  "tho 


t 

<*  1  'U^^T 

1:1 

•WIT*" 


^'fi 


•fi^ 


1: 

• ' '  '-4. 


M, 


I" 


:.  ■  ■) 


wm 

|i'lf 

■"^^il 

.  'u):'^ 

i.  ,■  '^ 

<;c-    ,': 

•:-i:^*l. 

c  'i 

.:       "''>•> 

'^'^ 

l»» 


■    M 


#1 .      •■•-',    .« 


'■ 


*',  'i'' 


3  (JO 


INDIAN    RACKS  OF  AMEltlCA. 


Tndians  told  us  it  \v;is  cii^loiiuiiy  with  tlioui  on  such  ocv;i- 
sioiis  Ibi-  two  Tndians  to  shake  hands  with  cvoiy  wJiito 
man  on  tlie  treaty,  as  an  evidence  of  entire  friciKlsliii,. 
A\  e  ii.Lnvcd  to  tliis,  Init  were  soon  convinced  tlieir  ])()1icy 
was  to  take  us  prisoiiei's.  'I'liev  iuiniediately  grajijilcil  us; 
but,  tliough  surrounded  bv  iiundrcds  of  savaQ-es,  aw  cxtii- 
^ated  ourselves  from  them,  and  escaped  all  safe  into  the 
garrison,  exce^it  one  that  Avas  Avounded,  through  a  heavv 
fire  from  tl'.eir  ai-ni}-." 

Boone  rook  a  i)rominent  part  in  many  of  the  e(int(>ls 
Avhich  i)reeeded  the  rpiiet  occupation  of  tlie  land  ..(' liis 
choice,  and  underAvent  toils,  dangers,  and  jirivatioiis  seh 
d(-)m  awarded  to  any  one  man;  but  he  liA'cd  to  c\\y>\  llie 
fruits  of  In's  labors.     An  old  Indian,  upon  the  occasi,.ii  of 
one  of  the  more  ijuportant  treaties  of  cession,  after  signing 
the  articles,  tc^k  Boone  by  the  hand,  saying:   "Brotlier^ 
AV(>  have  giA  en  you  a  fine  land,  but  I  believe  you  will  have 
inueh  trouble  in  se'ttling  it."     The  old  settler  adds,  spenk- 
ing  of  the  former  appellation  bcstoAved  on  this  "di^l^ati-able 
ground":   ".My  footsteps   have  often  been  luarked  A\it]i 
blood,  an.d  therefore  I  can  truly  subscribe  to  its  originid- 
name.     Two  dajhng  sons  and  a  brother  have  1  lost  bv 
savage   hirnds.      ^      -      Afany  dark  and  sleepless  nights 
have   I  been  a  companion  for  oavIs,  separated  fi'oni    the 
cheerful  society  of  men,  scorched  by  the  summer's  sun, 
and  pniched  by  the  Avinter's  cold—an  instrument  ordaine.l 
to  settle  the  Avilderness.     But  noAV  the  scene  is  changed: 
peace  croAvns  the  sylvan  shade." 


Lz 


/>'  ('  i;  n  i:  u    iwi.o  i  .v/i:  u. 


M 


■'  i-'i 


¥■'  i 


iW 

■■■j 

■    » 

.    ' 

'-     *1 

t'!' 


IC 


■■,t    •>\■^'.■ 


tsl 


TK.tPPljVtf     THE    BE 


Jl  h. 


U 


\T-' 


THE  UELAWAUES,  rtll AWANEES,  ETC.  o()l 


CllArTKU  II. 

DlVl.SION    OF    TIIK    riKr,.\\VAHi;s — WHlTK-KVnS,  AND    riPK — INDIAN 

coN'Fi'.nKitAcv  ni'  17-^1 — attapk  ny  iniVAXt's  station,  and 
j;ATTt,F,  XK\ii  Tin;  r.i.n:  i.icK's — ghnkral  Clarke's  EX- 

I'F.nFnON — UlSASTROrsrAMl'AKJNS  OF  TIAKMAR  AND 

ST.  CLAII! — MII,n\\l!V  OPKHATIONS  OF  GENEKAIi 

WAYNF. — DKCISIVF.    IIATTLE    NEAFi    THE 

MAtr.MKK  KAI'inS.  AND  SfliSEQUENT 

TI'.KATV  OF   PEACE. 

"Tluiy  waslu  us — :iy — liUo  April  snow 
In  the  wai'iii  noon,  wo  .shrink  away; 
And  fast  they  follow  as  wo  co 

'J'owanls  tho  sottinp  day — 
Till  thoy  shall  iill  the  'and,  and  we 
'■  Are  driven  int(j  tho  vvestt-rn  sea." 

Bryant. 

As  tlie  settlements  of  the  Europeans  continued  to  in- 
crease, the  Delawares  gradually  removed  from  tlieir  old 
quartci's,  on  the  river  and  bay  "wliieli  bear  their  name,  to 
the  \\ilde'rness  of  the  west.  No  small  portion  of  the  tribe 
was,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolutionary  Avar,  settled 
iu  Ohio,  on  the  banks  of  the  Muskingum,  and  in  the  adja- 
cent countrv. 

]"A-ei'v  influence  was  brought  to  bear,  bv  the  Emi'lish 
emissaries  among  the  *DelaAvares,  to  induce  them  to  take 
up  the  hatchet  against  the  rebellious  Amerienns.  'I'lie 
eliui't  Avas,  in  part,  successful:  a  large  party,  headed  by  the 
C''lel)r;!led  Ca[>tain  Pipe,  a  chief  of  the  Wolftrib(^,  (leclar(>(I 
f  )]•  the  king,  while  those  inclined  to  peace  and  neutrality, 
or  whose  sympathies- agj'e  on  the  side  of  the  colonies,  re- 
mained under  the  o-uinfrnce  of  Koguethatrechton — Aiii;lice, 
Captain  Whitt^-Kj'cs.  The  disasters  and  jierphwities  in 
vhich  tlie  nation  wa.>^  in\-t)lved  b\-  such  a  di\'isi(Mi  might 


1 1 


mv 


,•';:! 


,vi  i 


■:,  :;;;"(* 


t       ■  I, 

..in- 


1'^'',' 


I..I 


■:■■!■ 


■I 


'I 

111; 

■■51 


on  A 


INDIAX  llXCES   OF  aMKIMCA. 


iviulily  be  foreseen.  Txilli  the  opposing  leaders  were  men 
of  talent,  energy,  and  boldness,  and  each  was  heart  and 
soul  enlisted  in  tlic  cause  to  which  he  had  united  himself. 

It  is  recorded  of  White-Eyes  that,  early  in  the  war,  ho 
met  with  a  deputation  of  the  Scnecas,  (then,  as  we  liavo 
seen,  in  the  English  interest,)  and  boldly  avoweil  his  own 
opinion.  In  rejJy  to  the  old  taunt,  thrown  out  by  one  of 
the  Iroquois,  of  former  subjection  and  humiliation,  th.o 
chief  broke  forth  indignantly:  "I  know  well  that  you 
consider  us  a  conquered  nation — as  women — as  your  infe- 
riors. You  have,  say  you,  shortened  our  legs,  and  put 
petticoats  on  us!  You  say  you  have  given  us  a  hoc  and 
a  corn-pounder,  and  told  us  to  plant  and  pound  for  you — 
you  men,  you  irurn'orsf  But  look  at //ie.  Am  I  not  full- 
grown,  and  have  I  not  a  Avarrior's  dress?  Ay,  I  am  a 
man,  and  these  are  the  arms  of  x  man, — and  all  that 
country  (pointing  towards  the  Alleghany)  on  the  other 
side  of  the  water,  is  miner  AVhitc-Eyes  was  signally 
successful  in  his  efforts  to  undeceive  the  Indians  within 
his  influence,  who  had  l)e'Mi  tam})cred  witli  and  imposed 
upon  by  Englisli  agents,  or  excited  l)y  sympath}^  with  the 
war-party.  His  death,  wliicli  took  j)lace  at  TuscaraAvas,  in 
the  Avinter  of  1779-80,  was  a  very  unfortunate  CA'^ent  for 
the  Americans.  He  died  of  that  great  scourge  of  the  In- 
dian races,  the  small-pox. 

1'hc  spring  of  1781  Avas  a  terrible  season  for  the  Avhito 
settlements  in  K-^ntucky  and  the  Avholc  border  country. 
The  saA-ages  Avho  surrounded  them  had  never  slioAvn  so 
constant  and  systematic  a  determination  for  murder  and 
mischief.  Earlv  in  tlie  summer,  a  Great  meeting  of  In- 
dian  deputies  from  the  SluiAvanees,  Dela wares,  Cherokees, 
Wyandots,  TaAvas,  Pottawatomies,.  and  divers  ether  tribes 
from  the  nortli-Avester]i  lakes,  met  in  ,  -rand  council  of  Avar 
at  Old  Chilicothe.  The  persuasions  and  influence  of  tAvo 
infiunous  Avlntcs.  one  ]\rcl\ee,  and  the  notorious  Simon 


..  ,.»y  T-t* 


Til]'] 


DF.LAWAllKS,  SHAV.^VNEES,  ETC, 


363 


Girty,  "inna.ncd  tbcir  sava<^c  iiiinds  to  miscliiefj  and  led 
them  to  execute  ev'eiy  diabolical  scheme." 

Biyaut's  station,  a  post  five  miles  from  Lexington,  was 
fixed  upon,  by  the  advice  of  Girt}'-,  as  a  favorable  point  for 
the  fu'st  attaclv.  About  five  hundred  Indians  and  whites 
encompassed  the  j^lace  accordingly,  on  the  15th  oi  August. 
Stratagem  and  assault  alike  failed  to  cfl'ect  an  entrance: 
a  small  reinforcement  from  Lexington  managed  to  join  the 
garrison,  and  the  besiegers  were  compelled  to  retire  on  the 
third  day,  having  lost  thirty  of  their  number.  AVhen 
Girty  came  forward,  on  one  occasion  during  the  siege, 
l)earing  a  flag  of  truce,  and  proposing  a  surrender,  lie  was 
received  with  every  expression  of  disgust  and  contem})t. 
His  offers  were  spurned,  and  he  ret'red,  "cursing  and 
eui'scd,"  to  his  followers. 

Tlie  enemy  were  pursued,  on  their  return,  by  Colonels 
Todd  and  Trigg,  Daniel  Boone,  and  ^fajor  Uarland,  with 
one  hundred  and  seventy-six  men.  The  raslmess  of  some 
individuals  of  this  party,  who  were  unwilling  to  listen  to 
the  prudent  advice  of  Boone,  that  an  engagement  sliouid 
be  avoided  until  a  large  expected  reinforcement  should 
arrive,  led  to  their  utter  discomfiture.  They  came  up 
with  the  Indians  at  a  bend  in  Licking  river,  beyond  the 
Blue  Licks,  and  had  hardly  forded  the  stream  when  they 
were  attacked  by  an  overpowering  force.  The  enemy 
had  cut  off  all  escape,  except  by  recrossing  tlie  river, 
in  tlie  attempt  to  accomplish  which,  multitudes  were 
destroyed.  Sixty-seven  of  the  Americans  were  killed; 
among  the  number,  the  three  principal  officers  and  a  son 
of  Boone. 

The  outrages  of  the  savages  were,  soon  after  this,  sig- 
nally punished.  General  Clarke,  at  the  head  of  a  thousand 
men,  rendezvousing  at  Fort  Washington,  where  Cincinnati 
now  stands,  invaded  the  Lidian  territoiy.  The  inhabitants 
fled,  in  tcrroi-,  at  the  a[)proach  of  so  formidable  an  army 


t   .V 


tm 

H-*^    ■ 

1 

^M 

If 

If'' 


yot 


INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AAIKRICA. 


I>i 


\H- 


!i 


!  I 

■     I 

I  ! 


leaving  tlicir  towns  to  Ix;  destroyed.  "We  continued  our 
pni'suit,"  stiys  Boone,  wlio  was  with  the  army,  "through 
live  towns  on  the  Miami  river — Ohl  CliiHcotlie,  Peeaway, 
New  Chilieothe,  A\'illis'  Towns,  and  ( 'liilieotlie — biU'iit 
them  all  to  ashes,  entirely  destroyed  their  corn,  and  other 
fruits,  and  evefy  where  spread  a  scene  of  desolalion  in  the 
country." 

After  hostilities  between  l^higland  and  America  had 
ceased,  these  westej'u  tribes  of  Indians  still  continued  to 
molest  the  border  inhabitants  of  the  colonies.  Attempts 
to  bring  about  conferences  failed  signally  in  producing 
any  marked  or  permanent  benefit,  and  it  was  (h;lermined 
by  the  government  to  hundjle  them  l)y  force  of  arms. 

In  the  autumn  of  17!)1,  General  Ifarmar  marched  into 
the  1  ndian  territories,  at  the  head  of  nearly  fifteen  hundix'd 
men.  The  campaign  was  signally  unsuccessful.  The  army 
returned  to  Fort  Washington,  dispirited  and  broken  down, 
having  sustained  a  heavy  loss  in  men  and  olHcors,  and 
with  the  mortifying  consciousness  of  an  utter  failure  in 
the  accomplishment  of  the  (Mid  in  view. 

Afajor-tiencral  Arthiu-  St.  Clair  was  appointed  to  the 
connnand  of  the  next  expedition.  \Vitli  a  force  of  more 
than  two  thousand  men,  he  marched  towards  the  Indimi 
settlenients,  and  on  the  od  of  Xovembei',  (1701,)  encamped 
within  fifteen  miles  of  the  Miami  villages.  On  his  way 
fr(jm  Fort  Washington  to  this  |)oint,  he  had  l)uilt  and 
garrisoned  Forts  Hamilton  and  Jeflbrson.  By  this  reduc- 
tion of  his  troops,  and  by  a  more  extensive  loss  from  the 
desertion  of  some  hundreds  of  cowardly  militia,  he  had,  at 
the  time  of  which  we  arc  speaking,  but  about  fourteen 
hundred  effective  soldiers. 

The  confederate  Indian  tribes  kept  themselves  perfectly 
informed,  Ity  their  scouting  parties,  of  all  the  enemy's 
movements,  and,  emboldened  by  recent  success,  pre})ared 
to  give  the  advancing  army  a  warm  reception.     The  }irln- 


'J  UK  I'KI.AWAIJKS,  SllAWANKES,  ETC. 


ci'lKil  Irailcr  of  tlio  iiiiitt  il  ii;ilioiis,  was  tlio  coloLrated 
Miami  cliicl",  Mi(:lnkiiia(jiia,  di-  LittT'  Turtle,  lie  was  ono 
ol'  the  greatest  warriors  and  most  sagaeious  rulers  cvci 
knowu  among  the  red  men,  and  he  Inid  now  an  o])])or- 
tunity  for  the  full  display  ol'  his  abilities.  An  immense 
hoi'de  of  liercc  savages,  im})atient  for  war,  was  under  his 
control,  and  his  movements  were  seconded  by  able  sul)or- 
(linates.  Among  tlicse,  the  most  noted  were  Buekonga- 
lielas,  now  war  chief  of  the  P(!lawarcs,  and  Blue-Jacket, 
the  Shawanee.  According  to  Colonel  Stone,  the  grs'at 
Mohawk  chief,  Joseph  l>rant,  IMiayendanegea,  was  also 
present,  lending  the  assistance  of  his  counsel  and  arms. 
Huron  s  or  Wy  an  dots,  Iroquois,  Ottawas,  Pottawatomies, 
Chippewas,  Miamies,  Delawares,  and  »ShaAvanees,  with  a 
host  of  minor  tribes,  were  collected  to  repel  the  common 
enemy.  The  number  of  tlieir  warriors  assembled  on  the 
present  occasion  is  estimated  to  have  been  about  fifteen 
hundred,  although  some  have  set  it  down  at  twice  that  force. 

Before  the  rising  of  the  sun,  on  the  following  day,  (No- 
vember 4th,)  the  savages  fell  upon  the  camp  of  the  whites. 
Never  was  a  more  decisive  victory  obtained.  In  vain  did 
the  American  general  and  his  officers  exert  themselves  to 
maintain  order,  and  to  I'ally  the  bewildered  troops.  The 
Indians,  firing  from  covert,  thinned  the  ranks  and  picked 
off  the  officers  by  a  continuous  and  murderous  discharge. 
A  disorderl}'-  retreat  was  the  result:  Artillery,  baggage, 
and  no  small  portion  of  the  small  arms  of  the  militia,  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  exultant  pursuers.  Fort  Jefferson 
was  nearly  thirty  miles  distant,  and  thither  the  defeated 
army  directed  its  flight.  The  Indians  followed  close  upon 
the  fugitives,  cutting  down  and  dcstroyino;  at  will,  until, 
as  is  reported,  one  of  their  chiefs  called  out  to  them  to 
"stop,  as  they  had  killed  enough!" 

The  temptation  offered  by  the  plunder  to  be  obtained  at 
the  camp  induced  the  Indians  to  return,  and  tlie  remnant 


1 1 

ii 


I  i 


I    f'l 


^;1: 

•^;,'.!i(| 


''  ii 


M 

i 

^ '.' 

a 

i 

. "» 1 

• 

S           A.      1 

■ 

M^l? 

4 

'Wi 

t 

i4 

I  AT 


'.  >  1 


A*^; 


300 


JNIHAX    KACKS  OV  AMKUICA. 


I  I 


'tl 


I. 


of  tlio  iuvadiiiL,^  armv  rcaclied  Fort  JclU-i'son  about  sunset 
Tlu!  loss,  in  this  l)iittk',  on  tlio  part  oC  tlic  wliitos,  was  no 
loss  than  eight  hundred  and  ninety-four!  in  killed,  \vounde<i, 
oi-  missing.  Thii'ty-(,'ight  ollieers,  and  five  hundred  and 
iiinety-thrco  non-eonirnissioncd  ollieers  and  privMtfS  were 
slain  or  missing.  The  Indians  lost  but  few  of  their  men, 
jii'Iging  from  a  eom[)arison  of  the  dilVercnt  aeeounls,  not 
]aueh  over  fifty. 

;Vt  the  deserted  camp  the  victorious  tribes  took  x\p  their 
quarters,  and  delivered  themsel^'cs  np  to  riot  and  exulta- 
tion. Giencrul  Scott,  with  a  regiment  of  mounted  Kentucky 
volunteers,  drove  them  from  the  s])ot  a  lew  weeks  later, 
with  the  loss  of  'heir  plunder  and  of  some  two  hundred  of 
their  warriors. 

Xo  further  iniportant  movement  was  made  to  overthi-ow 
the  power  of  the  Indians  for  nearly  three  years  from  this 
period.  Negotiation  proved  utterly  fruithiss  with  a  race 
of  savages  inflated  by  their  recent  brilliant  successes,  and 
consequently  exhorbitant  in  thcsir  demands.  AVhen  it  was 
liiudly  evident  that  nothing  but  force  could  check  the 
continuance  of  border  murders  and  robbery,  an  army  was 
coll(!ctcd,  and  put  under  the  command  of  General  Wayne, 
somelimcs  called  "^Mad  Anthony,"  in  a  rude  style  of  com- 
j^limentto  his  energy  and  courage,  not  uncommon  in  those 
times.     The  Indians  denominated  him  the  "Black-Snake." 

The  winter  of  179o— 1  was  spent  in  fortifying  a  military 
post  at  Greenville,  on  the  Miami,  and  another,  named  Fort 
llecovcry,  upon  the  field  of  St.  Clair's  defeat.  The  last- 
mentioned  station  was  furiously  attacked  by  the  Indians, 
assisted  by  certain  Canadians  and  English,  on  the  oOth  of 
the  following  June,  but  without  success.  It  was  not  until 
August,  (17',)-I,)  that  General  Wayne  felt  himself  sufficiently 
reinforced,  and  his  military  posts  sufliciently  strengthened 
and  supplied,  to  justify  active  operations  in  the  enemy's 
country. 


ir^^ 


rr.-"--— 


1 1 


THK  PELAWAUKS,  SIIAWANKKS,  ETC. 


807 


Whoa  the  army  was  once  i)Ut  in  motion,  important  and 
decisive  events  rapidly  suceeeilech  The  march  was  di- 
rected into  thi!  heart  of  tlie  ln(liaii  settlements  on  the 
Miami,  now  called  ^ranmee,  a  river  empty iiiL^  into  the 
western  extremity  of  iiake  Erie,  W'iiere  the  beuutifid 
stream  An  (ilaisc  em[)ties  into  this  river,  a  fort  was  imme- 
diately erected,  and  named  Fort  Defiance.  From  this  post 
General  Wayne  sent  emissaries  to  invite  the  hostile  na- 
tions to  negotiation,  bnt  the  pride  and  rancor  of  the  In- 
dians })revented  any  favorable  results.  Little  Turtle, 
indeed,  seemed  to  forebode  the  impending  storm,  and  ad- 
vised the  acceptance  of  the  terms  odercd.  "The  Ameri- 
cans," said  he,  "are  now  led  by  a  chief  who  never  sleeps: 
the  night  and  the  day  arc  alike  to  him.  *  *  ^fhink  well 
of  it.  ']'here  is  something  whis[)ers  me  it  would  be  pru- 
dent to  listen  to  his  offers  of  peace." 

The  r>ritish,  at  this  time,  in  (kTiaiicc  of  tlieir  treaties 
with  the  United  States,  still  maintained  possession  of  va- 
rious military  posts  at  the  west.  A  sti'ong  fort  and  garri- 
son was  established  by  them  near  the  Miami  rapids,  and 
in  that  vicinity  the  main  bod}'  of  tlie  Indian  warriors  was 
encamped.  Above,  and  below  the  American,  camp,  the 
Miami,  and  Au  Gdaisc,  according  to  Wayne's  dis})atehes, 
presented,  for  miles,  the  appearance  of  a  single  village, 
and  rich  corn-fields  spread  on  either  side.  "I  have  never 
seen,"  says  the  writer,  "such  innncnse  fields  of  corn  in 
any  part  of  .\mcrica,  from  Canada  to  Florida." 

Negotiations  proved  futile:  the  Indians  were  evidently 
bent  on  Avar,  and  only  favored  delay  for  the  ])urposc  of 
collecting  their  full  force.  General  Wayne  therefore 
marched  upon  them,  and,  on  the  20th  of  the  montli,  a  ter- 
rible battle  was  fought,  in  which  the  allied  tribes  were 
totally  defeated  and  dispersed.  The  Indians  greatly  out- 
numbered their  opponents,  and  liad  taken  their  usual  pre- 
cautions in  selecting  a  favorable  spot  for  defence.     They 


!! 


LTir: 


!l 

.■  i 
..J 


't? 


;  ^'■'i'■■■l_ 


/.  i* 


A^' 


I 


:=:v:^ 


IXOFAN  HACKH  OF  AMKUICA. 


could  iinl,  liowi'Vt!!',  ri'sist,  iho  uthu'k  ol'  hravc  and  disoi- 
pliiK'd  tr()()[)s,  dii'0(,'tc(l  liy  .so  cxpiTUMiwd  and  .skilHul  u 
louder  as  Wayne.  1'lie  li^lit  tciiuinated — in  tin-  words  of 
tlic  oMlcial  dispateli— "under  ilu>  u-\\uh  ol'  tlic  I'n'itish  yur- 
ri.son.  *  ■•^'  Tlic  woods  were  strewed,  lor  u  considerable  ais- 
tance,  with  tho  dead  budies  of  Indians  and  their  wliito 
auxiliaries;  tho  latter  armed  with  Hritish  muskets  and 
bayonets." 

Some  days  were  now  spent  in  laying  waste  the  fields 
and  villages  of  the  miserable  savages,  whose  spirit  seemed 
to  be  com])letely  broken  by  this  reverse.  By  the  Ih'st  of 
January  following,  the  influence  of  Little  Turtle  and  Huek- 
ongahelas,  both  of  whom  saw  the  folly  of  further  cpiarrels 
with  tho  United  States,  and  the  hopelessness  of  reliance 
upon  Kngland,  negotiations  for  peace  were  commenced, 
and,  in  vVugust,  (171)5,)  a  grand  treaty  was  concluded  at 
Greenville. 


CHAPTER  III. 

CONDITION    OF    THE     INDIANS     SUHSKqUENT     TO    TlIK     VEACH — THE 

PROPHET  ELSKWATAWA — TECUMSKII  :    HIS  PLANS  AND  INTIUGUES 

GENERAL  HARUISOn's    EXPEDIKji,  AGAINST  THE  PIIOPIIEt's 

town defeat  of  the  indians  at  tippecanoe war  of 

1812 — Harrison's  invasion   of  Canada — battle  of 
the  thames,  and  death  of  tecumseh. 

Kearly  ten  years  of  peace  succeeded  the  treaty  of 
Greenville,  an  interval  which  proved  little  less  destructive 
to  the  tribes  of  the  north-west  than  tlie  desolations  of  their 
last  calamitous  war.  The  devastating  influence  of  intem- 
perance was  never  more  fearfully  felt  than  in  the  experi- 
ence of  these  Indian  nations  at  the  perioa  ^.vhose  hi&'.ory 


I  ! 


1 

^ 

1 

, 

■      ;',"•*  OT 

lliii: 

illi' 

,  ■frp 

1 

,1  f 

■'    '-1 

i.l 

.1'  •■ 


1                ,  ;     .       t 

h  41 

,  ; 

m 


V 


>.-('■ 


p 


rf' 


1 

K'  1 

m 

1^1 

mk^ 

Ms 


0 


m 


p 


T  I   (    t   .1/  .^  /.  ,'/. 


THE  DELAWARES,  SHAWAXEKS,  ETC. 


or,) 


w'G  arc  now  recording.  Gciicnil  TIarrisoii,  tlicn  commis- 
sioner for  Indian  affairs,  reported  tlieir  condition  in  the 
following  tei-ms:  "So  destructive  has  been  the  j)rogress 
of  intemperance  among  them,  that  whole  villages  have 
been  swept  away.  A  miserable  remnant  is  all  that  remains 
to  mark  the  names  and  situation  of  many  numerous  and 
warlike  tribes.  In  the  energetic  language  of  one  of  their 
orators,  it  is  a  dreadful  conJlagration,  which  spreads  miser}'- 
and  desolation  through  their  countrv,  and  threatens  the 
annihilation  of  the  wliole  race." 

AVhile  this  deadly  evil  was  constantly  increasing,  in  tlie 
year  1804,  a  distinguished  Indian  orator  began  to  excite  a 
wide-spread  discontent  among  the  n;itions  of  the  former 
north-western  confederacy.  I'his  was  the  self-styled  proph- 
et, ElskwataAva,  Olliwayshila,  or  Olliwachaca.  About  the 
year  1770,  a.  woman  of  (jue  of  the  southc'rn  tribes,  d<:»mes- 
ticated  with  the  Shawances,  according  to  report,  became 
mother  to  three  children  at  a  simrle  birth,  Avho  received 
the  names  of  Tecu.mseii,  Elskwatawa,  and  Knmshaka — 
the  last  being  unknown  to  fame,  '^  Their  father,  a  Shawa- 
nee  warrior,  perished  in  the  great  battle  at  Point  Pleasant. 
By  the  time  that  Tecumsch  had  attained  the  age  of  man- 
hood, he  had  alrcadv  become  noted  ns  a  bohl  and  sagacious 
warrior.  For  years  before  the  ovei'throw  of  the  Indian 
power  by  General  Wayne,  he  had  been  foremost  in  the 
incursions  which  spread  desolation  throughout  the  western 
settlements;  and  wdien  the  peace,  concluded  at  Greenville, 
deprived  him  of  a  field  for  warlike  enterprise,  lie  only 
retired  to  brood  over  new  mischief,  and,  in  conjunction 
with  his  brother,  the  Prophet,  to  excite  a  more  extensive 
conspiracy  than  had  ever  before  been  perfected. 

With  consummate  art,  ElskwataAva  exposed  the  evils 
attendant  on  the  white  man's  encroacliments,  exhorting  to 
sobriety  and  a  universal  union  for  resistance,     lie  pro- 
claimed  himself  ep[)eeially  commissioned   by  th(^  (ireat 
2-1 


ii 


.  I 


1 1 


tin  'II 


Vff^^f^^^i 


;  'i«-l 


t' 


■%. 


I 


i^;' 


m 


I'  ' 

ll  .. 


I;*   ,1 


P 


.'# 


ll 


370 


INDIAN  KACES  OP'  AMERICA. 


Sj.irit  to  foretell,  and  to  liastcn,  by  liis  own  eflbrts,  the 
destruction  of  the  intruders,  and  by  various  appeals  to  the 
vanity,  the  superstition,  and  the  spirit  of  revenge,  of  his 
auditors,  he  aerpiired  a  strong  and  enduring  induenee. 
The  chiefs  who  opposed  or  ridiculed  his  pretensions  were 
denounced  as  wizards  or  sorcerers,  and  proofs,  satisfactory 
to  the  minds  of  the  Indians,  being  adduced  in  suj)port  of 
the  accusation,  numbers  perished  at  the  stake,  leaving  a 
dear  field  f.r  the  oi^erations  of  the  impostor. 

IVcumseh,  ineanwliile,  was  not  idle.  It  is  said  that  the 
noted  Seneca  chief,  IJed-Jacket,  hrst  counselled  him  to  set 
about  the  work  to  which  he  devoted  his  life,  holding  out 
to  him  the  temiDting  prospect  of  a  recovery  of  the  ]'ic1i 
and  extensive  valley  of  the  Alississippi  from  the  posses- 
.sion  of  the  whites.  Whatever  originated  the  idea  in  his 
mind,  he  lent  all  the  powerful  energ}^  of  his  character  to 
its  accomplishment,  '^^fhe  tribes  concerned  in  the  proposed 
out-break  were  mostly  the  same  that  had  in  earlier  times 
been  aroused  by  Pontiac,  and  had  again  united,  under 
!Michikinaqua,  as  Ave  have  seen  in  the  preceding  chapter. 
The  undertaking  of  Tecuniseh  and  his  brother  was  not  of 
easy  or  speedy  aecom})lishment,  but  their  imwearied  eflbrts 
and  high  natural  endowments  graduallv  gave  them  both 
an  unprecedented  ascendancy  over  the  minds  of  tlie  Indians. 
In  1807,  the  new  movement  among  the  Western  Indians 
called  for  attention  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  and 
General,  then  Governor,  Harrison  dispatched  a  message  of 
warning  and  reproach  to  tlie  leading  men  of  the  Shawa- 
nce  tril)e.  The  [)rophet  dictated,  in  reply,  a  letter,  in  which 
he  denied  the  charges  circnlated  against  him,  and  strenu- 
ously asserted  that  nothing  was  farthei"  from  his  thoughts 
than  any  design  of  creating  a  disturbance.  Tn  the  sum- 
mer of  the  following  year  this  subtle  intriguer  established 
himself  on  the  Tippecanoe  river,  a  tributary  of  trie  AVa- 
bash,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state  of  India' a. 


"n 


r- 


1 1 


tup:  dela wares,  siiawaneks,  etc. 


371 


I  ! 


■t?,  tlu! 

to  llio 
of  liis 
lucucc. 
IS  wcro 
ftictory 
port  of 


ilmttlie    ' 
11  to  set    \  \ 
ling  out    ; 
lie  ricli    . 
possos- 
a  in  liis    I 
racter  to    \ 
proposed 
ler  times    i 

iinilor 
chapter. 
s  not  of 
1  oflorts 
ni   ])0\\\ 
liuliniis. 
Indians 
iti-s,  auvl 
ssage  of 
Sliawa- 
n  Avliicli 
I  stivnu- 
lioughts 
lie  snni- 
ablished 
ithe  ^Ya■ 


From  this  ])laco,  wlicre  he  lived  surroundi!(l  by  a  crowd 
of  admiring  followers,  the  Proplict  proceeded  shortly  after 
to  Vinccnnes,  and  spent  some  time  in  communication  Avith 
Governor  irari'ison,  for  the  purpose  of  disarming  suspicion. 
lie  continually  insisted  that  the  whole  object  of  iiis  preach- 
ing to  the  Indians  was  to  persuade  diem  to  fclinrpiish  tl'cir 
vices,  and  lead  sober  and  peaceable  lives;  and  to  this  effect 
he  often  exhorted  his  people  in  the  presence  of  the  United 
States'  government  oflicials. 

In  September,  of  1809,  while  Tecumsch  was  pusliing 
his  intrigues  an.  Mig  various  distant  tribes,  Governor  Har- 
rison obtained  a  cession,  for  certain  stipulated  annuities, 
of  a  large  tract  of  land  on  the  lower  poi  Mm  of  the 
Wabash,  from  the  tribes  of  the  Miamis,  Delawares,  Potta- 
watomies,  and  Kickapoos.  On  'J^ecumsch's  rc^tui-n  in  the 
following  year,  ho,  with  his  brother,  made  vehement  re- 
mon.stranccs  against  this  proceeding,  and  a  somewhat 
stormy  interview  took  place  between  the  great  cliief  and 
Governor  Harrison,  each  l)arty  being  attended  by  a  pow- 
erful armed  force.  Upon  this  occasion,  Tccumseh  first 
openly  avowed  his  design  of  forming  an  universal  coali- 
tion of  the  Indian  nations,  by  which  the  progress  of  the 
Avhites  westward  shoidd  l)c  arrested,  but  he  still  insisted 
that  it  was  not  his  intention  to  make  war.  One  great 
priuci])lc  -which  ho  endeavored  to  enforce  was  that  no  In- 
dian lands  should  be  sold,  except  by  consent  of  all  the 
eonf(Kh"'rato  tribes.  I'wo  days  after  this  conference  ho 
started  for  tlio  soutli,  with  a  few  attendant  warriors,  to 
spread  disaffection  among  th.e  Crc(>ks,  Cherokees,  and  other 
tribes  of  the  southern  states. 

In  the  following  year,  (1811,)  during  the  prolonged 
absence  of  Tccumseh,  and  contrary,  as  ^'s  suppos(Hl,  to  his 
express  instructions,  bold  and  audacious  depredations  and 
murders  were  committed  liy  the  horde  of  vsavages  gathered 
at  tho  Prophet's  town.     Representations  were  forwarded 


i::: 


'If 


!t.  't 


^1 


'1 


INDIAN    RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


to  Wasliiiigton  of  tlio  necessity  for  active  measures  in  re- 
straint of  these  outrages,  and  a  regiment,  under  Colonel 
Boyd,  was  promptly  marched  from  Tittshurgto  Vincennes, 
and  placed  under  the  command  of  Ifarrisoii.  Willi  this 
force,  and  a  body  of  militia  and  voliinteins,  the  whole 
amounting  to  about  nine  hundred  men,  the  govei-nor 
marched  from  Fort  JJarrisoti,  on  the  AVabash,  for  the 
Prophet's  town,  on  the  28th  of  October.  Tie  had  previ- 
ously made  various  attempts,  through  the  intervention  of 
some  friendly  Delaware  and  Miami  chiefs,  to  biMno;  about 
a  negotiation,  a  restoration  of  the  stolen  property,  and  a 
delivery  up  of  tlic  murderei's;  but  his  emissaries  were 
treated  with  contempt  and  his  proposals  spurned. 

The  march  was  conducted  with  the  greatest  military 
skill.  A  feint  was  made  of  taking  up  the  line  of  march 
on  the  south  bank  of  the  river;  after  which,  the  whole 
army  crossed  the  stream,  and  hastened  towards  tlie  hostile 
settlement  through  the  extensive  prairies,  stretching  far- 
ther than  the  eye  could  reach  toward  the  west.  On  the 
5th  of  November,  having  nict  with  no  opjvosition  on  the 
route,  Harrison  encamped  within  nine  miles  of  the  rrojili- 
et's  town.  Approaching  the  town  on  the  ensuing  day, 
various  futile  attempts  were  made  to  open  a  conference. 
Menaces  and  insults  were  the  only  repl}''  to  these  overtur(^s. 
Before  the  troops  reached  tlie  town,  liowever,  messengers 
from  Mlskwatawa  came  forward,  proposing  a  truce,  and 
the  arrangement  for  a  conference  upon  the  ibllowing  d;iy. 
The  chief  averred  that  he  had  sent  a  pacific  embassy  to 
the  governor,  but  that  thos3  charged  with  the  mission  Imd 
gone  down  the  river  on  the  opposite  bank,  and  thus  missed 
him.  Harrison  assented  to  a  cessation  of  hostilities  until 
the  next  day,  but  took  wise  precautions  for  security  against 
a  treacherous  night  attack. 

The  suspicions  of  the  prudent  general  provt^d  to  \)o  well- 
founded.     The  darknbss  of  the  niuht  faNcjrcd  the  designs 


'irH'i 


THE  iJKl-AW AKKS,  SHAW ANMKS,    KTH. 


373 


of  the  Indians,  find,  bc'Ibrc^  day-break,  al)Oiit  four  o'clock, 
the  akarm  of  an  attack  was  given.  In  tlie  words  (jf  oi\(!  of 
Harrison's  biographers:  "'I'lic  treacherous  Indians  had 
stealtliily  crept  np  near  our  s(;ntrics,  with  the  intention  of 
rushing  upon  them  and  killing  them  before  they  could 
give  the  alarm.  T')Ut  foi-tunatxdy  one  of  the  sentries  di> 
covcrcd  an  Indian  creeping  towards  him  through  the  grass, 
and  fired  at  him.  This  was  immediately  followed  by  the 
Indian  yell,  and  a  furious  charge  upon  the  left  flank," 

The  onset  of  the  Indians,  stimulated  as  they  were  by 
the  assurances  of  their  prophet,  that  certain  success  awaited 
them,  was  unprecedented  for  fury  and  determination. 
They  numbered  from  fiv(^  hundred  to  a  thousand,  and 
were  led  by  White  Ijoon,  Stone-Eater,  and  a  treacherous 
Pottawatomie  chief  named  Winnemac.  The  Prophet  took, 
personally,  no  share  in  the  engagement.  The  stiMr-^gle  con- 
tinued until  day-light,  when  the  assailants  were  driven  off 
and  dispersed.  Groat  praise  has  been  deservedly  awarded 
to  the  commanding  oificer  of  the  whites  for  his  steady 
courage  and  generalship  during  the  trying  scenes  of  tnis 
night's  encounter.  '^I'lie  troops,  although  no  small  num- 
ber of  them  were  now,  for  the  first  time,  in  active  service, 
displayed  great  fii'inness  and  bravery,  Hie  Indians  im- 
mcdiatel  V  abandoned  their  toAvn,  which  the  army  proceech^d 
to  destrov,  tearing  down  th(^  fortifications  and  burning  the 
buildings.  'J^he  object  of  the  expedition  being  thus  fidly 
accomplished,  the  troops  were  marched  back  to  Vincennes. 

In  the  battle  at  Tippecanoe,  the  loss  of  the  victors  was 
probably  greater  than  that  of  the  savages.  Thirty-eight 
of  tlie  latter  were  left  dead  upon  tlie  field:  of  the  whites, 
fifty  were  kill^il,  and  nearly  one  hundred  wounded.  It  is 
not  to  be  sup'posed  that  the  Prophet's  influence  maintained 
its  former  hold  upon  his  followers  after  this  defeat.  He 
takes  indeed,  from  this  time  forward,  a  place  in  history 
entire!}  subordinate  to  his  warlike  and  powerful  brother. 


Ill 


■\   I 


lii 


■i'lji 


'1  ;l-a 

•:'    I'! 


-    .i 


W^\i 


-■.li^ 


•>       Ip.i 

!  4''    'V''1.#IM 


.!'■ 


iW 


iwmm 


'li 


■■I 

■if 
It  I 


574 


INDIAN  UAl'Kri  OKAMKIUCA. 


An  interval  of  coinparutivc  quiet  succeeded  tliis  over- 
throw of  tin;  Pro})]iet's  concciitriited  forces,  u  (juiet  dr,-;- 
tined  to  be  broken  l^ya  fur  more  extensive  and  disastionn 
war.  When  ojtcn  liostililies  comnumced  between  England 
and  the  United  States,  in  1812,  it  was  at  once  evident  that 
tlie  former  country  had  pursued  her  old  policy  of  rousing 
u})  the  savages  to  ravage  our  defenceless  frontier,  with 
unprecedented  success.  Tecumseh  proved  a  more  valu- 
able coadjutor,  if  possible,  than  Brant  had  been  during 
the  revolution,  in  uniting  the  different  nations  against 
tlie  American  interests. 

To  pnrticularize  tlie  part  taken  by  tliis  great  warrior 
and  statesman  in  the  war,  would  involve  too  prolonged  a 
description  of  the  various  incidents  of  the  western  cam- 
paigns. By  counsel  and  persuasion;  by  courage  in  battle; 
and  by  tlic  energy  of  a  powerful  mind  devoted  to  the  cause 
he  had  esj)oused,  he  continued  until  his  death  to  aid  his 
English  allies.  A  strong  British  fortress  at  ^Maiden,  on  the 
easterj]  or  Canada  shore  of  Detroit  river,  pr(3ved  a  rcnde;^- 
vous  for  the  hostile  Indians,  of  the  utmost  danu'er  to  the 
inhabitants  of  the  north-western  frontier.  The  place  was 
under  the  command  of  the  British  General  Proctor;  the 
officer  whose  infamous  neglect  or  countenance  led  to  1he 
massacre  of  a  body  of  wounded  prisoners  at  Frenchtown, 
on  the  river  Baisin,  in  January,  ISlo.  This  post  was 
abandoned  by  the  British  and  Indians,  about  the  time  of 
the  invasion  of  Canada,  in  September,  of  the  above  year, 
by  the  American  troo})S  under  Harrison.  The  invading 
army  encamped  at  the  deserted  and  dismantled  fcjrtress, 
"fi'om  which  had  issued,  for  years  past,  those  ruthless 
bands  of  savages,  which  had  swept  so  fiercely  ovei-  our 
extended  frontier,  leaving  death  and  destruction  only  in 
their  path." 

General  Harrison  hastened  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  "p 
the  Thames  river,  and,  on  the  4th  of  Octobei',  cneairnHMl  a 


IS  over- 
ict  ilvs- 

Mit  lliat 
rousing 
2T,  witii 
■e  v;ilii- 
duriiig 
figiiinst 

Avarrior 


OTl 


L() 


o;cd  a 
]-ii  cam- 
II  battle; 
he  cause 
»  aid  lii.s 
I,  on  the 
rcndez- 

to  tlie 
loe  Avas 

r:  the 

to  the 

itOWH, 

-t  Av:is 
lime  c^f 
e  year, 
vatling 
(U'tress, 
•iithh^s?! 

vY  our 
only  in 

?niy  lip 
iniH'd  a 


I ; 


THE  DKr.AWAHKS,  yifAWAXEKS,  KTC. 


o  1  O 


!  I 


t  I 


few  miles  above  the  forks  of  the  river,  and  erected  a  sHght 
fortification.  On  the  oth,  tlie  nioniorable  battle  of  the 
Thames  was  fought.  General  Proctor  awaited  lln-  ap- 
proach Oi'  rne  American  forces  at  a  place  chosen  by  himself, 
near  Moravian  town,  as  presenting  a  favorable  position  for 
a  sttind.  ITis  forces,  in  regulars  iitid  Indians,  rather  out- 
numbered those  of  his  o};ponents,  being  set  down  at  two 
*thpusandeig]it hundred;  the  Americans  numbci'cd  twenty- 
live  hundre<l,  mostly  militia  and  volunteers.  Ilie  British 
army  "was  flanked,  on  the  left,  by  the  river  Thames,  and 
supported  by  artillery,  and  on  the  right  by  two  extensive 
swamps,  running  nearly  parallel  to  the  river,  and  occupied 
by  a  strong  body  of  Indians.  '■'  -  The  Indians  were 
commanded  by  Tecumsth  in  }x'rs(~)n." 

The  British  line  was  broken  l)y  the  first  charge  of  Colonel 
Johnson's  mounted  rc";iment,  and  beinLC  thrown  into  irre- 
trievable  disorder,  the  troops  were  unable  to  rally,  or 
oppose  any  further  eflhctive  resistance.  Kearly  the  whol  j 
army  surrendered  at  discretion.  Proctor,  with  a  few  co'n- 
panions,  effected  his  escape.  The  Ir.dians,  protected  by 
the  covert  where  they  were  posted,  were  not  so  easily  dis- 
lodged. They  maintained  their  position  until  after  tlie 
defeat  of  their  Eng''isli  associates  and  the  death  of  their 
brave  leader.  By  whose  hand  Tccumseh  fell,  does  n(jt 
appear  to  be  decisively  settled;  but,  according  to  the  or- 
dinarily received  account,  he  was  rushing  upon  Colonel 
Johnson,  with  his  tomahawk,  -"Adien  the  latter  shot  him 
dead  with  a  pistol. 

This  battle  was,  in  eflect,  the  conclusion  of  the  north- 
western Indian  Avar.  Deputations  from  various  tribes 
appeared  suing  for  peace ;  and  during  this  and  the  ensuing- 
year,  Avhen  Generals  Harrison  and  Cass,  Avith  Governor 
Shelby,  Avere  appointed  commissioners  to  treat  Avilh  the 
North- Avestern  tribes,  important  treaties  Avero  efleeted. 
Tccumseh  Avas  buried  near    the  field  of  battle,  and  a 


1 1 
1 1 


1 1 


I    .:if><l  d 


-TfC5^ 


|H 


I 

rW 

ti 

i  1^ 

M 

In  iHI 

f.iinii 

!■    '1 

;  '■- 

1  ]■ 

i    ( 

II 

1  jH 

rj 


*i, 


"1:  i 


L 


... »'. ', 

•  ,  .u  ■  ' 

''■■"':  A 
.'  (•  it..'')  '■ 

...#  ; 


.'•■'il^ 


•:.■  .M 


•-■,*-.%y 


!  > 


■!^ 


t-- 


4 


if 


i'i 


I  ! 


M   .'l 


INDIAN   i:  \Ci;s  OF  AMKIUC'A. 


moind  still  iiuiiks  jiis  <^nivi\  The  J>rilisli  ,L'<i\criiiiu'iit, 
not  nnmindCul  oC  his  .services,  granted  a  jieiisioii  to  his 
widow  and  family,  as  well  as  to  the  Propliet  Klskwatawa. 


CllArXKU   IV.  I 

ACQUISITION  AND   SALE,    I!Y    TIIIC  UMTKn  STATKS,  t)!'  INDIAN   LANDS 

IN  IM,IN(tIS nLACK-lIAWK — THT-  SACS  HKMOVED  WKST  (IF  THE 

MISSISSII'Pr HETTfliN  OF  ULACK-HAWK  AND  HIS   I'OI.l.OW- 

EUS DEEEAT    OK    iMA.TOli    STIM.M.AN I'lIE     IIOSTIIJ". 

INDIANS  I'UKSUEU  HY  ATKINSON    AND  DODGIC — 
TTIEIU  DEKEAT  ON  THE  BANK  OF  THE  MISSIS- 

sii'i'i — hlack-hawk's  SUEKENDER 

HE  IS  TAKEN  TO  WASHlNCiTON  — 
HIS  SUBSECiUKNT  CAKEEli. 

With  tbc  ra})id  increase  of  a  wliite  po})nlation  between 
the  Lakes  and  the  Mississippi,  wliicli  followed  the  con- 
clusion of  hostilities  with  Ennland  and  her  Indian  allies, 
new  difficulties  began  to^  arise  between  the  natives  and 
the  settlers.  Illinois  and  Wisconsin  were  inhabited  bv 
various  tiibes  of  Indians,  upon  terms  of  bitter  hostility 
among  themselves,  but  united  in  their  su.spicions  and 
apprehensions  at  the  unprecedented  inroads  of  emigrants 
from  the  east. 

The  Winnebagos,  dwelling  in  AVisconsin ;  the  Tollawat- 
omies,  situated  ai-ouiul  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake 
Michigan;  and  the  Sacs,  (afterwards  mingled  with  the 
Foxes,  and  usually  coupled  Avith  that  tribe,)  of  Illinois, 
principally  located  upon  Kock  river,  were  the  most  con- 
siderable of  these  north-western  ti'ibes.  By  various  ces- 
sions, the  United  States  ac(pured,  in  the  early  part  ol'  the 
present  century,  a  title  to  extensive  tracts  of  country,  bing 
east  of  the  Mississippi,  and  included  in  the  pi'csent  state  of 


fF^-'^ 


to  his 
iituwa. 


i   LANDS 
[•   THE 
\V- 


^ctweeii 
•  con- 
111  lies, 

'OS  ami 
.ed  by 
.stiruy 
IS  ;uk1 
iu,i'ants    1 

tlawat- 
I.ake 

k  the 
llinois., 
lit  eoli- 

is  ees- 
lol"  the 
I,  lyiii,u- 

[ale  of 


J 


M 
I  I 


i  I 


THE  DKTiAWAUKS,  SIIAWANKKrt,  ETC. 


Illinois.  Tiie  trihes  who  sold  the  laml  \V(M\!  divided  in 
opinion;  ^nvat  niunhers  (tf  the  occupants  of  the  soil  wero 
utterly  opposed  to  its  alienation,  and  denied  the  authority 
of  the  ehiel's,  by  whose  net^otiation  the  sales  or  cessions 
wore  ellected;  and  nj>on  the  parcelling  out  ami  the  sale 
by  the  Tinted  States  government  of  this  public  proi)eity 
to  private!  individuals,  conflictingclainissooulcd  to  serious 
distui'baiicea. 

In  didy,  of  1830,  a  treaty  was  formed  at  ]^'airi(>  du 
Ciiien,  b(>tween  United  States  commissioners  and  the  trii)es 
of  the  lowas,  Sioux,  Omawdias,  Sacs  and  Foxes,  kc,  for  the 
purpose  of  finally  arranging  the  terms  upon  which  tlu; 
lands  east  of  the  Mississippi  should  be  yielded  up.  ^J'he 
Sac  chief,  Keokrdc,  was  present,  and  assenting  to  the  ar- 
rangenie'it  in  behalf  of  his  people;  but  a  strong  }xirty, 
headed  by  the  celebrated  Black-IIawk,  utterly  refusiMl  to 
abide  by  it.  This  chief  was  then  between  sixty  find  seventy 
years  of  nge,  and  had  been,  from  early  youth,  a  noted 
waiM'ior.  lie  was  born  at  some  Indian  settlenuMit  upon 
the  Ivoek  river,  and  retained  through  life  a  stronii-  attach- 
ment  to  the  place  of  his  nativity  and  the  stream  upon 
whose  baid-cs  he  so  long  resided.-  lie  was  a  Pottawatomie, 
but  his  wliole  life  was  spent  among  the  Sacs. 

To  enforce  the  removal  of  the  Sacs  from  tlu  ir  \illages, 
on  Rock  river,  General  Gaines  visited  that  locality  in 
June,  1881.  He  proceeded  up  the  river  in  n,  steamer,  with 
several  pieces  of  artiller}'-  and  two  companies  of  infantry. 
The  general  spoke  of  his  visit  as  follows:  "^Fhcir  village 
is  imme(liately  on  Rock  river,  and  so  situated  that  I  could, 
from  the  steam-boat,  destroy  all  their  bark  houses,  (the 
only  kind  of  houses  they  ha.e,)  in  a  few  minutes,  with  the 
force  now  with  me,  probably  witluuit  the  loss  of  a  man. 
But  I  am  resolved  to  abstain  from  firing  a  shot  without 
some  bloodshed,  or  some  manifest  attempt  to  shed  blood, 
on  the  part  of  the  Indians.     I  have  already  induced  nearly 


^   '..'V.*^ 


878 


INDIAN    RACKS  OK  AMKUU'A. 


'!r' 


4' 
it 


ii? 


.1!' 

I' 

% 


I  i 


I 


Diit'-tliiril  til'  iIk'iii   ti>  <'Ci»ss  the   Mississippi   to  their  own 
l.-md.     'V\iv  ri'sidiic,   Ihtwt'vcr,  say,  as  the  friciidly  diirfis 
rej)()rl,  that  they  iievc-r  will  iiidvi;;  ami,  what  is  \ry\  im- 
coiiiiiioii,  ili(>  wotiu'ii   iir^J  tlu'ir  lioslilo  Inisbiiiids  to  (i^ht    1| 
nithcr  lliaii  lo  iiinvi',  and  thus  aliandon  their  homes," 

Ueloi'c  llie  close  of  the  nioiith  the  (orccs  ol'  tlie  Kiiiled 
Stales  and  llie  stutc  inililiu  took  possession  of  ih  settlo- 
inent.  Tlie  Indians  made  no  attempt  at  resistance,  and 
bet,ot>k  ihcnisehi's  lo  iho  \V(\stoni  hank  of  the  Mississippi. 
Ill  the  sjirini;-  iA'  []\c  Ibllowing  year,  the  Sacs  be^^'an  to 
stra,L:;^ie  hack  to  llieii"  old  towns  in  Illinois;  and  Black-  ij 
Ifawk,  with  a  coiisidei'ahlc  (biv-c  of  liis  wari'iors,  inarclicd  !i 
vei-,  witli   llie  avnwt'il  intent  of  s|)endin;j,'  iho    '! 


Ill)    line 


n 


'1 

.suniiner,  aiitl  raising  a  sup])ly  ol" corn  ainongtlie  I'oliawa- 
toniies.  in  aci.'ordance  A\itli   an   in\ilalii>n  from   that,  trihe. 


ir. 


e  proceeUed  (piietly  ami  peaceably  up  tlieri\-er,  olU'i'ing 
no  violiMiee  to  either  the  ])ei'sons  oi-  j)i-operty  of  tlie  white 
iiiliahitants.  A  hody  of  nionnted  militia,  iin(h'i'  ]\faj(^r 
Stilli'ian,  S(>1  out  in  pursuit  of  the  Indians  al)out  the  middle 
of  May.  On  their  a[ip]'oacli  to  his  toni})0)-ary  (piarters, 
Bhiclv-llawk  sent  a  number  of  liis  followers  to  meet  and 


conft 


er  with   the  commandnig  ollieei 
k 


but, 


It  so  liaphelicu 


oithiM'  lliroUL;h   niislake  as  to  1 


inttMiti 


oils,  ( ii'  ii'om  a 


ri'ckli,^ 


d 


lie  I 


ravity  on  the  jiarl   of  certain   of  llie  ^\  hitcs, 


tliat  sevei-al  of  these  emissarit'S  were  kille(L 


1^ 


Joiised  bv  this  iniui'ioiis  treatment 


Ihe    I 


mliaii    ( 


•hief 


in 


prepareil  to  fall  upon  his  })ursuors  [it  a  point  wlieiv 
ambnsead(^  couhl  ])c  reiuhu-ed  most  ell'ective.  It  is  said 
that  Avhei!  lh(>  militia  came  up,  ho  liad  but  about  forty 
warriors  w  ith  liim,  (the  rest  of  his  men  being  ofl"  in  [uirsuit 
of  game,)  while  the  whites  numbered  no  less  than  two 
hundred  and  seventy!  As  these  undisci})lincd  troops  were 
crossing  Syeamore  creek,  in  entire  disorder,  and  without 
any  precaution  against  a  sur]:)rise,  the}'  were  liereely  at- 
tacked by  the  Indians.     ^I'he  rout  was  complete:  unable 


11 


1 


r  own 

ry  Mli- 

.)  I'lLillt     i'l 


Uuitod  ll 

,  scltlo-  ,  j 

CO,  and  j 
■*issip|)i. 

\'4;m  to  ll 

i  r.iiick-  'i 

iiiin-lu'il 

I'm"--  tlio  I 

\>lt;i\vii-  I 

:it,  ti'iUo.  \\ 

olVcring  ij 

w  wliito  'I 

V  M:i)or  ,; 
mitltllo     I 

(iiai'tfrs,  ■! 

I. 'ft  ;inu  I  j 

ip|H'llC(l,         IJ 

iVoiu  ;i    ji 
whiles,     ;j 

111    cL'u'f  I 

'luMv  nil  I 

is  sniil  I 

|ul  iorty  i 

|iui'suit  j 

li;ili  two  : 

I  is  ^vere  ; 


iwitliout 
Icrly  iit- 
uiuible 


11 


1 1 


Tin;  DKLAWAItKS,  S 1 1 A  W  A  N  K  KS,  KTC, 


U7U 


lo  11)1111,  or  to  ollrr  iiiiy  clli'diliil  ivslslaiicr,  tlic  wliitr.s 
wore  drivuii  oil',  leaviii;;,"  clovfii  of  llicir  iiiiiiilicr  "Irml  upini 
tin-  lii'M.  As  ihvy  ii<fiiiii  rfiiilc/voiisiMl  at,  l)i.\i)irs  l-'ciry, 
tliirty  iiilK'slu'low,  tlicyguvi'  the  most  extnivaj^aiitiUM-uni  its 
of  the  iniiiiborH  of  tlio  eiit'iuy. 

(ircat  c'XciioiiK'Mt  was  produced  l)y  tliis  skii'iiiisli,  uiid  ii 
Ifir^'e  army  of  militiu  was  ealled  into  scrviec  hy  (invciiior 
l{(>yiioKls,  and  oi'diM't'il  to  meet  by  the  JOth  ol'  .liiiir,  at 
llciiiiepin,  ill  I'utiiam  county,  on  the  Illinois.  A^'eiits 
were  sent  to  (lonlirm   the  <j;(jod-will  of  the  Winncha^ios, 


tUK 


1  othrr  tiil)es,  iind  the  services  of  several  hiiiidi 


fil   ol 


tlu!  M 


eiioii 


ionics  und  Sioux  were  enlisted  ti;:;iiii.-t  tiic  dan 


U'lM'OllS   III 


tnid 


crs. 


JUiickdhiwk    ami    his    jKirt.y,   leelir.ji;    tliemsclvcs   i 


low 


fully  committed,  were  not  slow  in   f()llowinL!,'  up  tlui  ad- 
vantaL!;e  gained  by  the  terror  insjiired  by  the  (.'ip^a.m'mciit 


t'K. 


at  Sycamore  On 

Intween  tlie  l)realvin_<:,' out  of  the  uaruiul  the  bcL;iiiiiiiig- 
of  the  moiilh  of  Aiij^'iist  the  Indians  commitl'ed  many 
murders,  and  various  skirmislies  took  place  between  them 
und  tlio  troo[)s  sent  in  pur.^uil.  On  the  iOth  of  M^ay,  ;i  lit- 
tle settlement  on  Indian  Creek  was  phiiidered.  l^'ifleen 
of  the  inliabitaiits  were  killed,  and  two  yann_g'  girls,  by 
the  name  of  Hall,  one  sixleeii  and  the  other  I'ighleen 
years  of  age,  were  carried  into  captivity.  iVccording  to 
the  almost  universal  custom  of  the  Noilh  American  In- 
dians, these  female  prisoiuMs  were  not  ex})oscd  to  the, 
slightest  insult  or  oiit.rage,  but  wei'c  as  well  cared  for  as 
cireumstances  would  allow.  They  wcm'c  afterwards  I'aii- 
somed,  at  a  large  price,  and  returned  to  their  friends. 

Little  mercy  was  shown  to  any  of  IJlaek-lfawk's  lollow- 
crs  u})Ou  any  occasion  of  succe.';.^ 


1  Die  [>arl  ol  llie  whit 
were  killed  near  Galena  on  the  l-J-tli  of  .lui 


Five  ])ei'sons 

and,  shoi'tly  after,  tw^elve  Ind 

with  tliG  attacking  l^irty,  were  ])nrsiu\l  and  driven  iiilo  a 


lans,  sniii'osec 


ll<.l 


)e  eoiinee 


ted 


I 


n 


*!'''•»,   i\ 


■  ■    \       T 


I  i 


::--:;---— ^ 


ii'i'  'i  iili-. 


•itl 


I  ! 


380 


INDIAN   RACES   OF  AMERICA. 


p 


neighboring  swamp.  Whon  overtaken,  altliougli  thej" 
made  no  resistance,  they  were  every  one  killed  and  scalped 
by  the  whites. 

'^J'he  condition  of  Blacdc-TTawk  and  his  band  grew  daily 
more  miserable,  from  destitution,  exposure,  and  starvation. 
An  end  would  speedily  have  been  put  to  their  operations, 
but  for  that  terrible  disease,  the  cholera,  by  which  the 
United  States  troops,  on  their  route  from  the  east  to  the 
scene  of  action,  were  almost  wholly  disabled. 

])riven  from  his  encam^^ment  at  the  Four  Lakes  by  the 
approach  of  General  Atkinson,  Black-IIawk  retreated 
down  the  W'^isconsin,  expecting  to  find  provisions  and  as- 
sists nee  among  the  Indians  in  tliat  direction.  General 
Dod;j'(^,  with  a  strong  force  of  militia,  followed  close  on  his 
trail,  lie  came  up  with  the  fugitives  on  the  21st  of  July. 
The  Indians  were  about  crossing  the  river  when  they  were 
attacked,  and,  but  for  the  coining  on  of  night,  could  hardly 
have  escaped  entire  destruction  or  capture.  Tliey  lost  in 
the  encounter  not  far  from  forty  men. 

^Fhe  discomfited  savages  continued  their  flight  down 
the  river  in  their  boats,  beset  on  every  side  bj-  enemies, 
and  Avith  an  overwhelming  force — Dodge's  army  having 
been  joined  by  Atkin.son  and  his  troops  in  hot  pui-suit. 
"Some  of  the  boats,"  says  Drake,  "conveying  these  poor 
wretches,  were  overset,  and  many  of  those  in  them  dro\vned; 
the  greater  number,  however,  fell  into  the  hands  of  tlicir 
enemies  in  their  passage.  ^lany  of  the  children  ^vc\'c 
found  to  be  in  such  a  famished  state  that  they  could  not 
be  n^vived." 

Having  reached  the  mouth  of  the  river,  on  the  first  of 
August,  Black-IIawk  prepared  to  cross  the  Mis.-issippi,  but 
was  prevented  by  a  force  on  board  the  steain-boat  Warrior. 
tie  "did  not  wish  to  fight,  but  to  escape;  and  Avlien  tlie 
steam-boat  fell  in  with  him,  he  used  every  means  to  give 
the  captain  of  her  to  understand  that  he  desired  to  surren- 


THE  DET.A WARES,  SIIAAVANEES,  PITC. 


381 


der.  lie  dispLajod  two  white  flags,  and  about  one  hundred 
and  fif'-y  of  his  men  a])pr()aclied  the  river  without  arms, 
and  made  signs  of  submission."  The  only  reply  was  a 
diseharge  of  canister  and  musketry  from  the  boat,  which 
was  returned  fj-om  the  shore.  After  about  an  hour's 
firing,  which  resulted  in  the  destruction  of  more  than 
twenty  of  the  Indians,  the  boat  moved  off  to  procure  a 
supply  of  wood. 

Next  morning  General  Atkinson,  with  the  whole  force 
in  pursuit,  (sixteen  hundred  men)  came  up  with  the  rem- 
nant of  the  enemy.  Eetreat  was  cut  off  on  every  side, 
and  the  half-starved  and  dispirited  savages  were  shot  and 
cut  down  at  the  pleasure  of  the  irresistible  numbers  who 
surrounded  them.  The  following  is-  extracted  from  an 
account  published  shortly  after  this  decisive  and  final  en- 
gagement. "The  battle  lasted  upwards  of  three  hours. 
About  fifty  of  the  enemy's  women  and  children  were  talcen 
prisoners,  and  many,  by  accident,  in  the  battle,  were  kill- 
ed. Wlien  the  Indians  were  driven  to  the  banlc  of  the 
Mississippi,  some  hundreds  of  men,  women,  and  children, 
plunged  into  the  river,  and  hoped,  by  diving,  &o..  to  escape 
the  bullets  of  our  guns;  very  few,  however,  escaped  our 
sharp-shooters." 

Historians  generally  speak  of  an  action  in  which  the 
Indians  prove  successful  as  a  "massacre,"  but  the  above- 
described  proceeding  is  dignified  by  the  name  of  a  battle! 
Black-IIawk,  who,  with  a  few  followers,  managed  to  effect 
his  escape,  afterwards  declared  that,  upon  the  approach 
of  the  American  army,  he  and  his  warriors  made  no 
attempt  at  resistance,  ollering  to  surrender  themselves  un- 
conditionally, and  that  they  only  used  their  arms  when  it 
was  apparent  that  the  successful  })ursucrs  had  no  intention 
of  sliowing  quarter.  It  is  hard  to  decide  upon  the  true 
state  of  the  case. 

His  cause  now  being  palpably  hopeless,  and  most  (;f  his 


1  1- 


:'■"  ) 


.■1/:  ."' 


k 

'  i 

H 

'i 
« 

14 


!!■ 


1.'. 


382 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  A?>IEKICA. 


remaining  warriors  having  yielded  themselves  prisoners, 
or  been  taken  by  the  vai-ious  bands  of  Indians  friendly  to 
the  whites,  Blaek-Ilawk  surrendered  himself  at  Prairie  du 
Chien,  on  the  27th  of  August.  With  several  other  chiefs 
he  was  taken  to  Washington,  and  after  holding  conference 
with  President  Jackson,  was  confined,  for  a  period,  at  Fort 
^ro'.iroe,  on  an  island  near  Old  Point  Comfort,  on  the  Chesa- 
peake. Here  the  captive  warriors  v/ere  well  and  kindly 
treated,  and  in  June,  of  the  ensuing  year  (1833),  there  be- 
ing no  longer  any  necessity  for  detaining  them  as  hostages, 
they  wei'C  set  at  liberty. 

Before  returning  to  the  west,  these  chiefs  visited  several 
of  the  principal  eastern  cities,  and  were  every  where  re- 
ceived Avith  the  gi'catest  enthusiasm  and  interest.  'I'hey 
were  shown  the  fortifications,  navy-yards,  &c.,  and  every 
effort  Avas  made  to  impress  them  with  the  irresistible  power 
of  the  government.  They  Avere  afterwards  escorted  back 
to  their  homes  at  the  Avest,  and  dismissed  Avith  valuable 
presents  and  tokens  of  good-Avill. 

Black-IIaAvk  lived  thenceforth  in  peace  Avith  the  whites. 
He  settled  upon  the  Bes  Moines  river,  where  he  died  in 
1338.  The  body  of  the  old  Avarrior,  in  accordance  Avitli 
his  OAvn  Avishes,  expressed  shortly  before  his  death,  was 
disposed  in  Indian  style.  According  to  Brake:  "No  grave 
Avas  made;  ])ut  his  body  Avas  placed  in  a  sitting  position, 
Avith  his  cane  betAveen  his  knees  and  grasped  in  his  hands: 
slabs  or  rails  Avere  then  piled  up  about  him.  Such  Avas  the 
end  of  Black-IIaAvk.  Here,  hoAA'cver,  his  bones  did  not 
long  rest  in  peace,  but  they  Avere  stolen  from  their  place  of 
deposit  some  time  in  the  folloAving  winter;  but  about  a  year 
after,  it  Avas  discovered  that  they  Avere  in  possession  of  a 
Burgeon,  of  Quincy,  Illinois,  to  Avhom  some  person  had 
sent  them  to  be  Avired  together.  When  Governor  Lucns, 
of  loAva,  became  ac(piainted  Avith  the  facts,  they  Avere,  by 
his  requisition,  restored  to  his  friends." 


'pffl?'" 


INDIANS  OF  THE   SOUTHERN   STATES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

EARLY  LOCATION,  NUMBEKS,  CIIARACTKR,  KTC,  OF  THE  CATAWBAS  ; 
OF  THE  UPrER   AND   LOWER   CIIEliOK  ICES  ;    OF    THE    MUSCOGEES 

OR  creeks;  of  the  choctaws;  of  the  cuickasaws — 

FRENCH  war  with  THE  NATCHEZ  AND  CHICKASAWS. 

"We  sliall  not  undertake  to  assign  definite  boundaries  to 
the  several  tracts  of  country  occupied  by  the  extensive  tribes 
of  the  Creeks,  Cherokees,  Clioctaws,  Cidckasaws,  Catawbas, 
Uchees,  &e.,  nor  to  pursue  their  history,  separatel3^  There 
are  no  suflicient  distinctions  in  their  general  habits  and 
character  to  render  such  a  detail  necessary,  and  ns  they 
Avere  nearly  all  more  or  less  aflxjcted  by  the  same  p(jlitieal 
events  and  changes,  they  can  be  best  considered  collec- 
tively. The  name  of  Creeks,  (an  Juiglish  tei-m,  taken 
from  the  character  of  the  country  they  inliabited,)  has  been 
ap})lied  to  all  the  tribes  above  mentioned. 

James  Adair,  a  trader  and  resident  among  the  Southern 
Indians  for  forty  years,  in  his  liislory  of  the  American 
Indians,  published  in  1775,  gives  the  most  complete  ac- 
count of  these  races  to  be  found  in  the  early  writers.  The 
principal  portion  of  his  book  is  devoted  to  a  labored  dis- 
quisition u})on  the  origin  of  tlie  red  men,  and  arguments 
to  prove  their  descent  from  the  Jews:  the  rest  consists  of 
separate  details  of  the  manners  and  history  of  the  southern 
tribes,  with  observations  and  anecdotes  connected  with  the 
race  in  general. 


'1%A^' 


^4P 


^ri 


p 


'■^ 


;:3i 


INDIAN  RACKS  OF  A:\IEUTrA. 


He  commences  with  tlic  Ciitawbas,  wlio  t]ien  dwelt  be- 
tween tlie  Carolinas  and  tlie  country  of  tlie  Cherokees. 
By  interconrse  with  tlie  whites,  they  had  become  more 
d(>oraded  than  the  other  nations  of  which  we  are  now 
to  speak,  and  drunkenness,  indolence,  and  poverty  were 
obviously  prevalent,  '^l^hey  were  a  numerous  and  warlike 
people  when  South  Carolina  was  first  settled,  mustering 
about  fifteen  hundred  warriors;  ^ait  small-pox  and  the  use 
of  ardent  spirits  had,  at  this  time,  reduced  them  to  less 
than  one-tenth  of  their  former  numbers. 

They  were  old  enemies  of  the  Iroquois,  with  whom  they 
had  waged  long  and  savage  wars:  -with  the  English  they 
had  generally  been  upon  good  terms.  Adair  describes  an 
(^Id  waste  field,  seven  lyiles  in  extent,  as  one  of  the  evi- 
dences of  their  former  prosperity,  when  they  could  "cul- 
tivate so  much  land  with  their  dull  stone-axes."  Of  these, 
as  of  other  Indians,  he  saj^s:  "By  some  fatality  they  are 
much  addicted  to  excessive  drinking;  and  spirituous  li- 
quors distract  them  so  exceedingly,  that  they  will  even 
eat  live  coals  of  fire." 

The  Upper  Cherokees  inhabited  the  high  and  monntain- 
ous  region  of  the  Ap})alacliian  range,  and  that  upon  the 
upper  portions  of  the  Tennessee.  The  Lower  tribe  occu- 
pied the  country  around  the  head  waters  of  the  SaA'annali 
and  Cliatahoochee,  to  the  northward  of  the  Muscogees 
or  Creeks  proper.  When  Adair  first  became  acquainted 
with  the  Cherokees,  about  the  year  1735,  they  wei-e  com- 
puted by  old  traders  to  number  six  thousand  fighting  men. 
They  had  sixty-four  populous  towns.  In  1738,  nearly 
half  of  them  perished  by  the  small-pox. 

Like  all  the  other  untaught  nations  of  America,  they 
were  driven  to  perfect  desperation  by  the  ravages  of  this 
disease.  The  cause  to  which  they  ascribed  it,  and  the 
strange  remedies  and  enchantments  used  to  stay  its  progress, 
are   alike   remarkable.     One  course  was   to  plunge  the 


;  I 


;  I 


INDIANS  OF  THE  SOUTIlKltN  STATES. 


385 


patients  into  cold  running  water — (it  is  elsewhere  mcu- 
tionecl  that  those  afflicted  will  frequently  h^ap  into  tlic 
river  themselves  to  allay  the  fever  and  torment) — the  re- 
sult of  which  operation  ^vus  speedily  fatal.  "  A  great  nuuiy 
killed  tliemselves;  for,  tjing  naturally  proud,  they  arr 
always  peeping  into  their  looking-glasses. — By  which 
means,  seeing  th(>raselves  disfigured,  without  hope  of  re- 
gaining their  former  beauty,  some  sh(.)t  themselves,  others 
cut  their  throats,  some  stabbed  themselves  with  kni\  es,  and 
others  with  sharp-pointed  canes;  many  threw  themselves 
with  sullen  madness  into  the  fire,  and  there  slowly  ex- 
pired, as  if  they  had  been  utterly  divested  of  the  native 
power  of  feeling  pain."  One  of  them,  when  his  friends 
had  restrained  these  frantic  ciTorts,  and  deprived  him  of 
his  weapons,  went  out,  and  taking  "a  thick  and  round 
hoe-helve,  fixed  one  end  of  it  in  the  ground,  and  r(?peat- 
edly  threw  himself  on  it  til.l  he  forced  it  down  his  tliroat! 
when  ho  immediately  expired." 

These  tribes  were  formerly  continually  at  war  with  the 
Six  Nations,  at  the  north,  and  with  tlie  Muscogees  at  the 
south;  but  previous  to  their  war  with  the  Englisli  colonies 
they  had  been  for  some  time  comparatively  ;i,t  peace,  and 
Avere  in  a  thriving  and  prosperous  condition.  ^I'lu'V  were 
excellently  well  suppli<'d  with  horses,  and  -\vgtc  "slcillful 
jockies,  and  nice  in  their  choice." 

T\\G  lower  settlement  of  the  ^fuscogees  or  Creeks,  was 
in  the  country  watered  by  the  Chatahoochee  and  Flint; 
the  upper  Creeks  dwelt  al)ont  the  head  Avatens  of  the 
Mobile  and  Alabama  rivers.  Their  neighbors,  on  the 
west,  were  the  Choctaws  and  Chickasaws. 

The  Creeks  were  a  nation  formed  by  the  union  of  a 
number  of  minor  tribes  with  the  Muscogees,  who  constituted 
the  nucleus  of  the  combination.  About  the  middle  of  tlio 
eighteenth  century,  they  were  computed  to  number  no 
li'ss  than  three  thousand  five  hundn^d  men  c;i]>al.l(>  of 
25 


11 


1 ". 


..     V. 


'!'f' 


4     ,.•; 


1-T"-,-^ 


IKDIAK   UACES  OF  A.MEllICA. 


Dcariiig  arms.  Tlicy  had  learned  tlio  necessity  of  seclud- 
ing lliosc  infected  with  the  small-pox,  so  as  to  avoid  the 
spread  of  the  contagion,  and  their  general  hahits  and 
usages  were  such  that  they  were  fast  increasing,  instead 
of  diminishing,  like  all  the  surrounding  tribes. 

Wliile  the  Floridas  were  in  the  possession  of  S»)ain,  the 
Creeks  were  surrounded  by  belligerent  powers,  both  native 
and  Eurojican,  and  they  appear  to  have  adopted  a  vc^ry 
shrewd  and  artful  policy  in  their  intercourse  with  each. 
There  was  a  French  garrison  in  their  country ;  the  English 
settlements  lay  to  the  north  and  east,  and  those  of  the 
Spaniards  to  the  south;  and  the  old  sages  of  the  ti-ibe 
"being  long  infoi'med  by  the  opposite  parties  of  the  dif- 
ferent views  and  intrigues  of  those  foreign  powers,  who 
paid  till m  annual  tribute  under  the  vague  appellation  of 
presents,  were  become  sur|,'risingly  crafty  in  every  turn 
of  low  politics."  The  French  were  very  successful  in  their 
cfrorts  to  conciliate  the  good-will  of  the  Muscogees,  and  in 
alienating  them  from  the  English. 

The  country  of  the  Choctaws  extended  from  that  of  the 
Muscogees  to  the  ^^lississippi,  reaching  northward  to  the 
bouiularios  of  the  Chickasaws:  their  lower  towns  on  the 
river  were  about  two  hundred  miles  north  of  New  Or- 
leans. Adair  gives  these  })eople  a  very  bad  character,  as 
being  treacherous,  dishonest,  ungrateful,  and  unscrupulous; 
but  he  bears  witness  to  their  admirable  readiness  of  speech. 
They  were  "ready-witted,  and  endued  with  a  surprising 
How  o?  smooth,  artful  language  on  every  subject  within 
the  reach  of  their  ideas." 

The  strange  custom  of  flattening  the  head,  prevalent 
among  some  other  American  tribes,  obtained  with  the 
Choctaws.  The  operation  was  performed  by  the  weight 
of  a  bag  of  sand  kept  upon  the  foreheads  of  the  infants  be- 
fore the  skidl  had  hardened.  This  process  not  improbably 
afi'eeted  the  powers  of  the  mind:  at  all  events,  Adair  says: 


1 1 

ii 

ii 

ii 
ii 


1  '< 


'i 


mi 


L'-T'^ 


.  the    j' 
and     i 

stead     ' 

I 

lativG    I  j 
very    |' 
caeli.    1 
m'lisli 
)!'  tlio    j 
1 1'ibe    I 
le.lif-    1 
%  who    I 
ion  of    1 
f  turn 
n  tlicir 
and  in 

of  tlio 
to  tlie 
on  tlic 
3W  Or- 
•ier,  as 
inlous; 
;peeeli. 
prising 


\v 


itliin 


ralent  '  i 

Itli  the  ;| 

Iwcii^'lit  i  I 

jilts  be-  j| 

loimbly  i ! 

rsays:  li 


INDIANS  OF  TEE  SOUTHERN  STATES. 


387 


"  tlieir  features  and  mind  exactly  correspond  together; 
for,  except  the  int  .nsc  love  they  bear  to  their  native  couu 
try,  and  their  utter  contempt  of  any  kind  of  danger  in 
deiencc  of  it,  I  know  no  other  virtue  they  arc  possessed 
of:  the  general  observation  of  the  traders  among  them  is 
just,  who  affirm  them  to  ))C  divested  of  every  property  of 
a  human  being,  except  shape  and  language." 

l^he  French  had  acquired  great  influence  over  the  Choc 
taws,  as,  indeed,  over  nearly  every  tribe  in  North  America 
with  whom  they  had  maintained  friendly  intercourse. 
Adair  enlarges  upon  the  artful  policy  with  which  they 
conciliated  and  bribed  the  leaders  and  orators  of  the  nation. 
Besides  this,  he  says:  "the  masterly  skill  of  the  French 
enabled  them  to  do  more  with  those  savag(!S,  with  trifles, 
than  all  our  experienced  managers  of  Indian  affairs  have 
been  able  to  effect  by  the  great  (quantities  of  valuable 
goods  they  gave  them  witli  a  very  profuse  hand.  The 
former  bestowed  their  small  favors  with  exquisite  wisdom ; 
and  their  value  was  exceedingly  enhanced  by  the  external 
kindly  behavior  and  well-adapted  smooth  address  of  the 
giver." 

The  nation  of  the  Chickasaws,  at  the  time  of  which  we 
are  speaking,  was  settled  near  the  sources  of  the  Tond)igb(>e, 
a  few  miles  c  astward  of  the  head  waters  of  the  Tallahache. 
I^hey  numbered  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  warriors, 
but  were  greatly  reduced  since  their  ancient  emigration 
from  tlie  wes:.  T'hey  were  said  to  have  formerly  consti- 
tuted one  family  with  the  Choetaws,  and  to  have  been 
able  to  bring  one  thousand  men  into  the  field  at  the  time 
of  their  removal.  Due  allov'ince  must  of  course  be  made 
for  mistake  and  exaggeration  in  these  early  tr.iditions. 

The  Chickasaws  were  ever  inimical  to  the  French  and 
friendly  to  the  Fnglish  colonists.  It  was  by  their  efforts 
that  the  neighboring  tribe  of  the  Natchez  was  stirred  up 
to  attack  the  Frencii  settlements,  in  1729.     The  French 


\m 

i-ji 

M 

■  {' 

■ff 

*4 


[■    I.,  .1      >' 

r    ^  V*     jitm 


. ...  -i 


•t 


mm 


>Frn 


.  4 


'it 


888 


INDIAN   ItACES  OF  AMI'.KUA. 


had,  unadvisedly,  iiiipo.-^od  a  species  of  tax  upon  tlie 
Natchez,  deinaiidiiii''  a  tlresscil  buck-skin  fnnii  each  iiuin 
of  the  tribe,  witlioiit  I'cndering  any  return;  but,  as  somo 
of  that  peo[)lc  afterwards  repoi't(Ml  to  Adair,  "duMvarriors' 
hearts  grew  very  cross,  and  loved  the  deer-skins," 

The  Chickasaws  were  not  sh)w  to  foment  a  distur'l)ance 
upon  intelligence  of  this  proceeding,  and  sent  messengers, 
with  presents  of  pipes  and  tobacco,  to  counsel  an  attack 
upon  the  exercisers  of  such  tyranny.  Nothing  so  strongl}^ 
excites  an  Indian's  indignation  as  any  attempt  at  taxation, 
and  the  Natchez  were  easil}'  persuaded  that  the  French  had 
resolved  to  crush  and  enslave  them.  It  tocjk  about  a  year  to 
ripen  the  plot,  as  the  Indians  arc  "slow  in  their  councils  on 
things  of  great  im^^ortance,  though  equall}' close  and  intent." 

It  was  in  the  month  of  November,  (1729,)  that  the  In- 
dians fell  upon  the  French  settlement.  The  commandant 
had  received  some  intimation  of  tlui  intended  attack  from 
a  woman  of  the  tribe,  but  did  not  place  sufficient  depend- 
ence upon  it  to  take  any  efficient  steps  for  the  protection 
of  his  charge.  The  whole  colony  was  massacred:  men, 
women  and  children,  to  the  nmnber  of  over  seven  hun- 
dred— Adair  says  fifteen  hundred^ — perished  by  the  weap- 
ons of  the  savages,  '^^fhc  triumph  of  the  Natchez  Avas, 
however,  but  of  short  duration.  The  French  came  upon 
them  in  the  following  summer  with  a  large  army,  consisting 
of  two  thous[ind  of  their  own  soldiers  and  a  great  array  of 
tlieir  Choctaw  allies.  ^JMic  Natchez  were  posted  at  a  strong 
Ibrt  near  a  lake  communicating  with  the  Bayou  D' Argent, 
and  received  the  assailants  with  great  resolution  and  cour- 
age. Tiiey  made  a  vigoi'ous  sally,  as  the  enemy  approach- 
ed, but  were  driven  within  their  defences,  and  "bombarded 
with  three  mortars,  which  forced  them  to  fly  olf  different 
ways."  'Jlie  Clioctaws  took  many  prisoners,  some  of  whom 
were  tortured  to  death,  and  the  rest  shipped  to  the  West 
Indies  as  slaves. 


IXDIAXS  OK    rilK  SOI'I'IIKUX  STATKS, 


',m 


Th(j  rorniiant  oftlio  Xiitclicz  fled  for  safoty  to  tlic  Cliickii- 
saws.  This  Vjfoiii.'-lit  alH)iit  a  war  bctwwn  tho  French  and 
the  last-mcutioiKMl  ti'ihe,  in  whicli,  if  we  may  believe 
Adair,  the  Indian,^  IumI  decidedly  the  advantage.  He  tells 
of  cue  engagement,  in  which  the  French  and  their  Indian 
allies  had  surrounded  the  Chi(!kasaw  settlements  in  the 
night,  with  tlic  exception  of  one,  wdiich  stood  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  rest,  callcvl  Amalahta.  TIk;  Ix'siegers  besc^t 
every  house,  and  killed  all  who  came  out:  "but  at  the 
dawn  of  day,  when  they  w(M'{^  capering  and  using  those 
flourishes  that  are  peculiar  to  that  volatile  nation,  the  othei 
town  drew  round  them,  stark  naked,  and  painted  all  over 
red  and  black;  thus  they  attacked  them,  killed  numbers 
on  the  spot,  rele;iscd  their  brethn-n,  who  joined  them  like 
enrag(-'i]  lions."  The  Indians  belonging  to  the  I'^rench 
]iarty  fled,  but  the  whites  were  all  killed  except  two,  "an 
oflicer,  and  a  negroe,  who  faithfully  held  his  hoi'se  till  ho 
mounted,  and  then  ran  along  side  of  him.  A  couple  of 
swift  runners  were  sent  aftcn-  them,  who  soon  came  up 
with  llu'ui,  and  told  them  to  live  and  go  home,  and  inform 
their  ix'ople,  that  as  the  Chiekasali  hogs  had  now  a  plenty 
of  ugly  French  carcases  to  feed  on  till  next  year,  they 
h()[)ed  then  to  have  another  visit  from  them  and  their  red 
friends;  and  that,  as  messengers,  they  wished  them  safe 
home." 

On  another  occasion,  the  same  historian  informs  us  that 
the  French  approached  the  Chickasaw  stockade,  strangely 
disguised,  and  protected  from  the  balls  of  the  enemy  by 
paddings  of  wool.  I'he  Indians  were  to  the  last  degree 
astonished  both  at  their  appearance  and  invulnerability, 
and  were  about  to  desist  from  active  resistance,  and  resort 
to  tho  skill  of  their  own  necromancers  to  oppose  what 
they  thought  nuist  be  "wizards,  or  old  French-men  carry- 
ing the  ark  of  wai"  again,-,t  them."  As  the  enemy  ap- 
proached, and  began  to  throw  hand-grenades  into  the  fort 


L: 


P       i 


■'m 


^ 
.1 1    ■* 

' 

■  .      ,;<..  .1 

IV' ''  '^'i'TiMiin 

Oa^H 

'■tv*  *''m 

M 


.  "i.yj'.i'f.v^f^ 


^i:^'  *^,'^^ 


I  (,}ll»'l4]__^ 


m'.IO 


INDIAN   ItACKrt  OF  AMKIilCA. 


tlu'V  wore  quickly  iiiidiveivod,  and  set  in  oarncst  about 
tiic  work  of  doHiUco.  'riiey  [Jtillnl  tlic  mnU'lics  out  (tl'tho 
{grenades,  or  tlmnv  iIhmu  back  anioii^'  the  I'Vciucli;  and,  sal- 
lyiiij^  Ibrtli,  diriHttcd  an  circi-tivc  lire  :it  tlic  l(\ns  ol'  tlio 
enemy,  win)  wero  speiMlily  driven  oil'.  "1  liave  two  ol' 
these  isliells,"  says  Adair,  "which  I  keej)  with  veneration, 
as  si)eakin<^  trophies  over  the  boasting  Monsiuurs  and 
their  bk)ody  schemes." 


CllAPTEU  II. 

COLONIZATION  OFGKOUtilA  —  KAI{|,Y  INTia'COUUSK  WITH  THK  NATIVKS 

— TOMOeillCIII INTKKiIIKS  OK    TlIK    KKVERKNO   THOMAS   HOSOjM- 

WOKTII — ellKHOKKK    WAU     Ol'     17')!) — ATTAKUi.LAKULLA    AND 

Ol'CONOSTOTA MIUIDKK     Ol'     I.NDIAN     IIOSTACiKS COLONKL 

MONTCOMKKY's  KXI'KDrno.N  —  DKSTIUJCTION  ()[■•  TIIK  KAST- 
EKN    rilKltOKKlC    TOWNS MATTI.li    NKAK    KTl'llOK CA- 
PITULATION  AT    i'OKT    LdlDO.N IN  1)1  AN  TKKACHERY 

CAMPAIGN    OK  COI.O.NKI.  (iKA.NT,   AND  COMTLETE 

KEDUCTION  OK  THE  CIIEKOKEES. 


:)'] 


WliKN  the  little  color,;,  of  one  liu'.'dred  and  fourteen 
souls,  under  the  i^iiidance  of  -lames  Kdward  Oglethorpe, 
commenced  the  settlement  of  Oeorgia,  in  the  winter  of 
ITo'S,  the  u]i])er  and  lower  Ci'eeks  laid  claim  1o  the  whole 
territory  south-west  of  the  Savannah.  The  only  natives 
residing  in  tlu;  vicinity- — at  Yamacraw — wt>re  ])eac(>ablv 
disposed  towards  the  settlers,  but  the  goviM'iKU-  of  llu'  in- 
fant colony  thought  it  advisable  to  put  himself  uptui  sale 
grounds  as  respected  (he  Iiubaii  claims.  He  thei'cfoi'e 
secured  the  services  of  a  iKdi-breed  woman,  named  Mary 
Musgrove,  who  could  s})eak  J^iiiglish,  and,  by  her  media- 
tion, brought  about  a  conference  with  the  chiefs  of  the 
tribe  at  Savannah,  the  seat  of  the  new  settlement. 


tcr  of 
^vln>lo 
;i  lives 

lio  In- 
In  si'Jb 
t'olorc 
I  Mary 
licdiu- 
l>i    llio 


IN'DIANH  OF  Till':  SOUTlIKItN  STATKrt. 


;;;'! 


Mjiry  liad  foniutrly  inari'icd  n  wliifr  li'adcr  fidiii  f'ain- 
lina.  I>(\si(l('s  licr  ust'l'iilncss  as  an  inh'cpn-tii-,  .-.he  |i;i,(l 
sucli  inlluciico  iivt'i  lier  li'iljc,  tliat  ( \^k;lliorjKi  tlmnvlit  it, 
worth  liis  wliilt'  to  purcliasi^  licr  sci'vici'S  at  the  rate  ulOno 
Inirulix'tl  pounds  u  yviw,  Slie  hccanu!  al'tiTwards,  as  wo 
nliall  :u'(',  a  source^  of  no  liltli!  (lan^^l'I■  and  unnoyanco  to 
the  MnLilisli. 

I'^il't}'  cliii'ls  of  tlie  Crock  nation  wd'o  tisscmhlrd  at  llio 
placo  of  (;onfert:n(!(!,  and  '['otnocliichi,  llu;  most  notcfl 
amoii;j;  tliose  tluui  known  to  tlic  srttkji'S,  nuul(5  an  ainica- 
])\c  sjxH'fli,  ))roir('ring  at  the  same  time  a  present  of  a 
l)uil;ilo-skin,  adorned  wiili  ea,u,ies'  feathers.  A  treaty  was 
coiiehided,  subject  to  the  ratilieation  of  tli(!  Mn,^lish  crown, 
hy  vii'tue  of  wliich  the  Indians  w<m'o  to  consider  tliem- 
sclves  tlie  suhj'ects  of  the  kini;;,  and  to  Iiv(!  in  peact'  aixl 
friendsliip  with  his  wliitc;  colonists.  'rh(>  lands  1\  in^'  he- 
twecn  the  Savannah  a.nd  Altainalia,  wei'c  made  oNcr  totho 
English,  with  all  the  islands  on  that  coast,  {!.\c(>pt  St..  C'ath.u- 
rine's  and  two  others,  which  wcrti  rcsei'ved  foi-  the  use  of 
till'  Indians  as  bathing  and  lishin;.;'  stations.  ;\  tract  was 
also  set  apart  for  tlioiu  to  encamp  upon  when  tlu-y  visited 
tluMr  white  friends,  a  littl(>  above  the  Vamaeraw  blullj 
whci'c  Savannali  now  stands.  A'arious  other  sti[)ulations, 
respecting  terms  of  trade,  the  jnini^hnient  of  offences,  &c., 
wei'O  entered  into,  to  the  satisfaction  of  both  parties. 

in  Api'il,  f7.')  f,  (|<iiethorpc  took  Toniocliidii,  his  (puMMi, 
and  sm'cral  otlier  Indians  witli  him  to  Mnghind.  'i'hey 
wcro  presented  tf)  the  king,  and  every  pains  was  taken  to 
produce  a.  strong  ini]>i'cssion  upon  their  nnnds  of  the 
Knglish  power  and  magnilicenee.  All  the  Indians  with 
whom  tlie  lii'st  governor  of  Ch^oi'gia  held  intci-eourso  soom 
tohavefoi-mcda,  gi'eatattachmcMitforhim,  styling  him  their 
"beloved  man."  If  otheis  in  authority  among  the  Knglish 
colonies  had  pui'suod  as  honest  a  course  towards  the  natives, 
much  bloodshed  would  doubtless  have  beeu  averted. 


1 1 


i: 


1 1 


rui 


^-5  m 

tS 

'''-'p& 

ii'il 

.-.  '*•  li 

H.H 

■>M 

wm 

'■  '^m 

in 

"  'At! 

mm 

.-■  'i'' 

w 


.■m 


1:      i 


;:l 


:    i,     *\ 


■  4 


..„.iJ.j 


.;••;  X 


-^m 


1 


r:»2 


INIHAN   HACKS  OF  A.MKUICA. 


.V! 


1 


!  I 


I ; 


When  (liflicultics  nroso  in  17.")8,  coTinciitod  willi  tlir  cfKi' 
ilictiii}^  claims  of  l'!iiL!,l;nid  ami  Sjiaiii  lu  jiiris'lii'tiun  ovor 
the  new  CDiiiitry,  Spanish  agents  wen'  dispatclH'd  to  win 
ovvv  the  Creeks.  They  doeoveil  a  body  of  thiin  to  Au- 
gnstino,  by  pretences  that  Oglethorpe  was  tlie'X",  and  that 
he  was  desirons  of  seeing  thetn.  On  llieir  aiM'i\-al,  tin! 
Indians  wcM'e  told  that  tlic  i'lnglish  governor  was  .-Irk  on 
board  one  of  the  ships;  but  they  luvd  begun  to  suspict 
deception,  and,  refusing  to  go  out  to  the  vessel,  lr(t  tlie 
town  in  great  disgust,  ^riieir  suspicions  were  eoiiHnn('(l 
■when  they  i'eaclu'(l  home,  and  the  transaction  only  strength- 
ened their  dislike  to  the  Spaniards. 

In  the  following  year,  Oglethorpe  ationc'ed  a  great  as- 
sembly of  Creeks,  Chcrokees,  and  ChieVusaws,  at  the 
Cowi'ta  lown,  several  hundred  miles  from  Frederiea,  and 
conlb'nuMl  their  good-will  towards  the  English  by  pres(Mits, 
and  friendly  communion,  lie  smoked  the  calumet  with 
the  chiefs,  and  solemnly  renew'cd  the  oi'iginal  treaty  of 
amity  and  mutual  protection.  This  year  old  'roniochiehi 
died,  not  far  from  Yamacraw,  expressing  to  tlu^  hist  his 
love  for  his  first  English  patron,  and  urging  upon  his 
people  the  polity  of  maintaining  their  place  in  his  good- 
will.    Tlie  chief  w^as  nearly  ninety-seven  years  of  age. 

The  year  1.74!)  was  nu^morable  for  a  most  audacious 
attcm])t  on  the  part  of  one  Thomas  Bosomworth  to  ag- 
grandize himself  by  atttiining  a  supremacy  over  the  Creeks. 
lie  had  been  formerly  a  chaplain  in  Oglethorpe's  regiment, 
and  had  married  ^fary  ^lusgrove,  his  half-breed  interpre- 
ter. In  December,  of  1747,  this  man  fell  in  with  a  com- 
pany of  chiefs,  belonging  to  the  nation,  then  on  a  visit  to 
Frederica;  and  jiersuaded  thenr  to  sign  certain  articles, 
acknowledging  one  of  their  number,  named  ^Nralatche 
Opiyft  Meco,  as  rightful  king  over  the  whole  Civck  nation 
Bosomworth  then  j^rocured  from  Malatche  a  conveyance, 
for  certain   considerations — aniony  other  thinti-s,  a  lar'j'o* 


I 


Lrz:= 


1(^4^ 


111 


■i 


■f  If  Ir:    h:.i  ii  I:  /;. 

'Ililii  iiiilili'  hiiil.  V1III01I1  <|,i'CH's  (if  wliirh  nil-  luMiiil  ill  Am.  lie;!,  wiii*  I'liiixMlcifil  hy 
lilt)  liiili;iii!».  no  Ic'*-'  IIkiii  liy.nir  own  |mic|.<  ini.l  wiiliT:<,  ii  liltiiii,'  lypH  of  swU'liifHs.  slri-ntflli, 
;!iiil  |ii'nii<l  xiipiMidiily.  His  iciili.'isL-oiisiii.ii.d  il  kiiii^ly  iiriiiiiiuiiit,  1111(1  wnc  littld  wurlhy 
i.'His  nl  lliii  riilillciiliiiii  C.I  iiiip'iiiuiit  tifiili's.  lilt!  (lid  cliiel'  Tointicliitilii.  wIumi  iiilitKliiccd 
■  .  Kiiiif  (Jutiim'  II.,  piDiri'iri'tl  scvfiMl  fiu'lcs'  feallior.^  Id  the  iiiniiiiifli,  wiUi  lli«  reiiiiiik  : 
•■  riii'^c   ;iiL'    llio  f(  iillit'is  i.r  |lir>   ('ii'.,'k',  wliicll    is  llio  bWifU'sl  of  birds,  iiiid  «lio  fliflll    nil 

r,,,iii,l ■  ii:iiiiiii~.     rinse  ifiiilicrH  iiie  a  !«i;,'n  of  |ii'afc  in  oiii  liiiid,  anil  «•'  Imvi'  br.'iujtii 

llifiii  ovfi  lo  li^':n"  ..H'Mi  iviili  you,  uitiiI  kinu'.  n^  a  si-ri  of  ovi  la-liiu;  |if:i(f."' 


■■  ■  't'l 

,  ;ll 


■m 


j 

t  1 

'  vis 

!  .\- 1>  1 .1  .V    V  /■  •/■  r  I.  F  .V  r  .VI' 


1 1 


INDIANS  OF  THE  SOUTllEUN  hTA'L'ES. 


'  >  (I  o 


(jiKiulily  of  iiinmuiiitioii  and  clc^tliiug, —  of  tin;  islands 
loriiicrly  roscrvoil  by  tlic  Indians,  to  liiniseli' and  liis  uif'o 
Mavy,  tluMi-  lioirs  and  assigns,  "as  U^ng  as  llic  snn  shall 
sliino,  or  llic  waters  ]'un  in  the  rivci's.  forever."  'J'his  deed 
was  regularly  witn(\sscd,  proved  before  a  justiee  of  the 
jieaee,  and  reeorded  in  due  form.  Bosoniworth  made 
some  efforts  to  stoek  and  iinjH'ove  these  islands,  but,  his 
amljition  becoming  aroused  bv  success  in  his  first  intrio;uc, 
he  entered  iijion  one  mneli  more  extensive.  ])_y  liis  per- 
suasions, his  wife  now  made  the  extraordinary  elaim  that 
sli>'  was  ]\ralatehe's  elder  sister,  and  entitled  to  regal  au- 
thority over  the  whole  Creek  tei-ritory. 

X  great  meeting  of  the  tribe  was  procured,  and,  what- 
ever of  ti'utli  ^bary's  claims  might  bo  founded  upon,  she 
ap}iears  to  have  succeeded  in  jjei'suading  large  numbers 
of  the  Creeks  to  espouse  her  cause,  and  acknowledge  her 
as  an  independent  cpieen.  Accompanied  by  a  strong  force 
of  her  adlierents,. she  proceeded  incontinently  to  Savannah, 
sending  emissaries  before  her  to  demand  a  surrender  of 
all  hmds  south  of  the  Savannah  river,  and  to  make  known 
Inn-  inttuilicm  of  enforcing  her  claim  by  the  entii-e  destruc- 
tion of  the  colony,  should  her  demands  be  resisted. 

The  militia  were  called  out  by  the  president  and  conned, 
and  the  Indians  were  kept  quiet  by  a  display  of  confidence 
and  firmness,  that  matters  might  be  fully  discussed  by 
their  leaders  and  the  colonial  authorities.  "  I'osom  worth," 
says  ]\[cCall,  "in  his  canonical  robes,  Avith  his  queen  by 
his  side,  followed  by  the  kings  and  chiefs,  according  to 
rank,  mardhMl  jnlo  the  town  on  the  20th  of  July,  making 
a  most  formidable  appearance. — Tlie  inluibitunls  were 
struck  with  terr(»r  at  the  sight  of  this  feroei(.)US  tribe  of 
savages." 

licn-ilhy  dise\issions  ensued,  between  Bosomwoi'ih  and 
W\\\\  on  tlu>  one  hand,  and  the  president  and  couneil  on 
the   olhcr.      The  llekK'    and    inq»ressib!r   sa\ages  leaned 


I ; 


11::- 


b 


.  t' 


r 


894 


IN'DIAX  ]{ACKS  OF  AMKKK'A. 


iiltcrnately  to  either  o[»iiii()u  according  as  i]\vy  wcic  liai-- 
aligned  by  their  new  leaders,  or  listened  to  the  i>.\[)lanatit)n.s 
of  the  other  party.  They  were  told  that  AFary's  claims  to 
royal  descent  were  entirely  false;  that  she  was  the  vlaiighter 
of  a  wliite  man  b}^  a  squaw  of  no  note,  and  that  the  mad 
ambition  of  her  reprobate  husband  had  led  to  the  whole 
movement,  '^fhey  expressed  themselves  convinced,  but 
no  sooner  had  ^lary  obtained  anotlier  opportunity  to  com- 
ijuinicate  with  them,  than  she  succeeded  in  inflaming  and 
bewildering  their  minds.  It  was  found  necessary  to  con- 
fine her  and  her  Imsband  before  the  savages  could  be 
quietl_y  dispersed. 

Before  this  was  accom])lislied,  the  town  was  in  a  situation 
of  the  most  imminent  danger,  as  the  Indians  vastly  out- 
numbered the  whites;  a. id  a  \cry  slight  matter  might 
have  so  roused  their  fury  that  the  whole  colony  would 
have  l)een  annihilated.  The  inti'iguing  chaplain  had  a 
brother,  ^Vdam  Bosomworth,  agent  for  Indian  alTairs  in 
Carolina,  who  afterwards  cs})Oused  his  interests,  so  far  as  the 
claim  to  the  islands  of  St.  Catharine,  Ossabaw,  and  Sapclo 
was  concerned.  This  coadjutor  visited  the  Creek  nation, 
procured  a  new  conveyanee,  and  prosecuted  the  claim 
before  the  courts  of  G reat  Britain.  The  case  }n-oved  almost 
as  tedious  and  complex  as  that  of  tlic  cele!)rated  Afoliegan 
land  question  in  Coiiueetieut.  ]3osoiiiworth  and  liis  Avife 
obtained  a  di'eisioii  in  their  fivttr,  in  1759,  by  virtue  of 
which  the}'  took  possession  of  St.  Catharine's  island,  and 
resided  upon  it  the  I'emaiiider  of  their  lives.  Ossabaw  and 
Sapelo  were  decreed  to  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the  suc- 
cessful parties,  but  further  litigation  arose  from  the  claims 
of  one  Isaac  Levy,  to  whom  tlu'V  had  sold,  as  was  asserted, 
a  moiety  of  that  portion  of  the  grant. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  Cherokee  war,  in  the  winter  of 
this  year,  (1759,)  is  the  next  cNcut  of  special  interest,  con- 
nected with  the  alfairs  of  tlie  Southern  Indians.     1'hcy 


'..'DIANS  OF  TIIK  SOUTHERX  STATES. 


!i)0 


B'.'t'i.  gcnei'aliv  to  have  been  peaceably  disposed,  and  lion 
est  in  tlic  fuliillnient  of  tlicir  national  ongagenienls,  and 
probably  wonld  have  continued  so,  had  they  met  with  fair 
treatment  at  the  hands  of  the  iMiglish  colonists.  Parties 
of  Cherokees,  under  British  commanders,  had  been  t  ngiige(l 
with  the  English  in  campaigns  against  the  French  fbrlili- 
cations  at  the  "west.  Upon  the  e.aeuation  of  Fort  Du- 
quesne,  numbers  of  these  Indian  warriors,  whose  services 
were  no  longer  required,  set  out  upon  their  return  home. 
Having  been  ill-supplied  with  provisions,  and  having  lost 
their  horses,  some  of  them  caught  and  a\  ailed  themselves 
of  such  of  those  animals  as  they  found  loose  in  the  woods. 
Tn  revenge  for  this  thcit,  the  German  settlers  of  Virginia 
fell  upon  them,  and  murdered  and  scalped  a  considerable 
number.  They  even  imitated,  in  several  instances,  the 
horrible  cruelties  of  the  savages  in  the  manner  of  butch- 
ery— at  least,  so  says  Adair,  who  further  reports,  that 
"those  murderers  were  so  audacious  as  to  impose  the 
scalps  on  the  government  for  those  of  French  Indians; 
and  that  they  actually  obtained  tlie  premium  allowed  at 
that  time  by  law  in  such  a  case." 

The  Cherokees  did  not,  for  a  long  time,  attempt  any 
retaliation  for  this  act,  but  made  peaceable  applications  to 
the  authorities  of  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas;  but  all  was 
in  vain,  and  fresh  insults  and  injuries,  received  from  cer- 
tain oflicers  at  Fort  St.  George,  finally  excited  the  nation 
to  fury.  Adair  says  truly:  "When  the  Indians  find  no 
redress  of  grievances,  they  never  fail  to  redress  themselves, 
either  sooner  or  later.  ]jut  when  they  begin,  they  d(^  not 
know  where  to  end.  Their  thirst  for  the  blood  of  their 
reputed  enemies  is  not  to  be  quenched  with  a  few  di'ops. 
The  more  they  drink,  the  more  it  inflames  thei"  thirst. 
When  they  dip  their  finger  in  human  blood,  they  are  rest- 
'ess  till  they  plunge  themselves  in  it." 

The  French,  and,  at  th(^ii-  instance,  the  MiLS(;ogees,  were 


I 


I 


!  t 


it 


i- 


^■wa 


V 

'H^^H' 

.  \ 

i 

i 

^' 

^m 

1 

si' 


lit!'fi 


;:ilF^ 


t 


f '! 


lifk 


F'- 


a;)6 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


t}:' 


,1/.  , 


i'  :!■' 


IL 


•M 


!" 


not  plow  in  availinsi:  themselves  of  the  above  ch'cuinstan- 
CCS  to  stir  up  a  war  against  the  English.  The  Cherokces 
detei-niincd  upon  dij-cct  retaliation  for  the  masi^acrcs  by 
the  Germans.  A  party,  bound  on  this  errand,  first  killed 
two  soldiers  near  Fort  Loudon,  on  the  south  bank  of  Ten- 
nessee river,  and  afterwards  s|)re;id  themselves  among  the 
western  settlements  of  North  Carolina,  killing  sueh  of  the 
whites  as  fell  in  their  20ower.  It  was  their  first  intention 
to  take  scalps  only  equal  in  number  to  that  of  their  mur- 
dered kinsmen,  but,  once  having  their  hand  in,  they  could 
not  resist  the  temptation  of  going  much  forther.  "Soon 
alter  they  returned  home,  they  killed  a  repj-obate  old 
trader." 

The  young  warriors,  noAv  thoroughly  roused  and  excited, 
would  listen  to  no  proposals  of  restraint:  "Nothing  but 
war-songs  and  war-dances  could  ])lease  them,  during  this 
flattering  period  of  becoming  groat  warriors,  'by  killing 
swarms  of  white  dung-hill  fowls,  in  the  corn-fields,  and 
asleep,'  according  to  their  war-phrase." 

William  ]L  Lyttleton,  governor  of  South  Carolina,  set 
himself  strenuously  both  to  }irepare  for  the  defence  of 
the  colonies,  and  to  bring  about  an  adjustment  of  difficidt- 
ies.  At  Fort  St.  George,  on  the  Savannah,  he  held  a  con- 
fei'enee  with  six  Cherokee  chiefs,  on  the  2f)th  of  December 
(1759),  and  formed  a  treaty  of  peace,  secured  by  the  de- 
lively  of  thirtj'-two  Indian  hostages.  These  were  placed 
in  close  confinement  in  a  small  and  miserable  hut,  md  the 
<j!;ovornor  returned  to  Charleston. 

According  to  tlie  usual  course  of  events,  the  Cherokces 
denied  the  authority  of  the  chiefs  wdio  had  concluded  the 
above  treaty,  and  hostilities  broke  out  afresh.  The  two 
most  celc>brat(Ml  chiefs  and  leaders  among  them,  at  this 
time,  were  old  Attakullakulla,  a  promoter  of  ])eacc,  and 
lonu"  the  fast  fiv'ud  of  the  iMiuIish,  and  Occonostota,  r. 
noted  Avar-chief     Captain  Coytmorc,  commandant  at  Fort 


INDIANS  OF  THE  SOUTIIEUN  STATES. 


'ddl 


George,  v/as  an  oLject  of  tlic  bitterest  hatred  on  the  part 
of  the  Indians,  and  a  large  body  of  thcni,  led  by  Occouos- 
tota,  besieged  the  fort  iu  Febi-uary  of  17(50. 

The  place  was  too  strong  to  be  taken  by  assault,  but  the 
Indian  chief  managed  to  entice  Coytniorc  out  of  the  d(.'- 
fenccs  into  an  amlnish,  where  he  was  shot  dead,  and  lieu- 
tenants Bell  and  Foster,  wlio  accompanied  him,  were 
wounded.  The  hostages  who  were  conhncd  within  the 
works,  shouted  to  encourage  their  friends  without,  and 
when  an  attempt  was  made  to  put  them  in  irons,  resisted 
manfully,  stabbing  one  soldier,  and  wounding  two  others. 
Upon  this,  a  hole  was  cut  in  the  roof  over  their  heads, 
and  the  cowardly  garrison  butchered  them  by  shooting 
down  from  above. 

This  war  now  commenced  in  earnest,  and  Indian  ravages 
extended  far  and  wide  upon  the  frontier.  Troops  were 
ordered  from  New  York  by  General  ^\mherst,  conunander- 
in-chief  of  the  British  forces  in  America;  and  the  neigh- 
boring colonics  appropriated  liberal  sums  for  the  purpose 
of  buj'ing  the  aid  of  the  Creeks,  Chickasaws,  and  Catawbas. 

Colonel  Moutgomcry  reached  Carolimi  in  April,  (17(50,) 
and  hastened,  in  command  of  the  regulars  and  })roviucials, 
to  m.ake  an  effective  inroad  upon  the  hostile  Indian  His 
progress  through  the  lower  Cherokee  country  was  mtirked 
by  the  entire  destruction  of  the  Indian  towns.  The  first 
place  attacked,  called  Keowee,  ^\•as  surrounded,  and  the 
men  of  the  town  were  put  to  the  sword.  Estatoc,  con- 
taining two  hundred  houses,  with  great  quantities  of  pro- 
visions, Avas  entirely  destroyed;  but  the  inhabitants  were 
saved  by  a  timely  flight,  "livery  other  settlement  east  of 
the  Blue  Iiidge,"  says  McCall,  "afterwards  shared  the 
same  fate." 

The  army  made  some  stay  at  Fort  Prince  George,  and 
useless  endeavors  were  put  forth  to  bring  about  a  pacifica 
tion  with  the  upjuM-  portion  of  the  Cherokees.      In  the 


I 

li 
i  I 


i! 


l! 


I    ;.,! 


^rfu 


hi  i  lit 


'U 


i  '.Mi 


^:::4 


..       r  ■      «li 


■K 


I*; 


398 


INDFAX  JIACKS  OF  AMtllilCA. 


month  of  Juno  tlio  troops  wore  again  on  their  advance 
into  the  wilderness  of  the  interior.  Near  the  Indian  town 
of  Etchoc,  tlic  native  warriors  prepared  a  most  skillful  am 
bnscade  to  cheek  the  advancing  forces.  It  was  in  a  de(^[i 
valley,  through  which  ran  a  muddy  stream,  with  stecsp 
banks;  on  either  side  of  which  the  way  was  compl(>tely 
clicked  with  tangled  brushwood.  Some  hard  fighting 
took  ijIji-ic  at  this  spot,  in  which  twenty  of  the  whites 
ere  ;  .icd  and  seventy-six  Avounded,  The  loss  on  the 
i?i, !,..,'  :Vo  Indians  was  much  less,  and,  although  driven 
frc  '  'i.!  .pot  where  the  iirst  stand  was  made,  they  in- 
trencucd  tL'  ;  .'elves  a  little  farther  on.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances, Montgomery  determined  to  secure  the  safety 
of  his  troops,  and  to  provide  for  the  requisite  attention  to 
his  wounded  men,  by  a  retreat.  He  soon  after  sailed  for 
New  York,  leaving  four  com})anies  of  regulars,  under 
iNfajor  Hamilton,  for  the  protection  of  the  frontier. 

The  garrison  at  the  isolated  Fort  Loudon  was  now  in  a 
state  of  imminent  peril.  The  provisions  of  the  place  were 
nearly  ex)  austed,  and  the  redoubtable  Occonostota  was 
laying  close  siege  to  it  with  his  fierce  and  enraged  warriors. 
After  sulfering  great  extremes  of  privation,  and  experi- 
encing disappointment  in  all  their  hopes  of  relief,  the  two 
hundred  men  stationed  at  this  place  were  obliged  to  ca- 
pitulate, and  trust  to  the  honor  of  their  savage  enemy. 
Cnptain  Steuart,  an  officer  greatly  in  flivor  Avith  all  the 
friendly  Indians,  arranged  the  terms  upon  which  the  fort 
should  be  evacuated.  The  troops  were  to  be  allowed  a 
free  and  unmolested  passage  to  \'irginia,  or  Fort  Prince 
George,  and  a  detachment  of  Indians  was  to  accompany 
them  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  provisions  by  hunting. 
The  garrison  marcheirout  on  the  Ttli  of  August  (17()0). 
Occonostota  himself,  with  a  number  of  other  natives,  ke])t 
company  with  the  whites,  during  the  first  day's  march  of 
iifteen  miles;  but  these  all  disappeared  when  tliej  reached 


rr: 


INDIANS  OF  THE  SOUTllKUX  STATES. 


309 


t)\vcd  a 

|ri'inc(3 

[npany 

Imting. 

^17(iO). 

Is,  kept 

I  roll  of 

:;aclied 


i 


!  I 


tlio  place  of  encampment,  near  an  Indian  town  called 
Taliqno.  On  the  next  morninji;,  just  before  daj',  (the  thnc 
generally  selected  l)y  Indians  ihr  a  surprise,  as  men  slee[) 
more  soundly  then  than  at  any  other  houi-,)  a  larger  body 
of  armed  savages,  in  war-paint,  were  seen  by  a  sentinel, 
creeping  through  the  bushes,  and  gathering  about  the 
camp.  Hardly  was  the  alarm  given  when  the  attack  was 
made:  twenty-six  of  the  feeble  and  half-starved  soldiers 
were  killed  outright,  and  the  rest  were  pinioned  and 
marched  back  to  the  fort. 

Ca})tain  Stenart  was  among  tlie  prisoners,  but  his  evil 
fortune  was  alleviated  by  the  staunch  fr  .idship  of  the 
benevolent  Atakullakulla.  This  chief,  as  t\oi'.  i  he  heard 
of  Stenart's  situr.tion,  hastened  to  b'ort  I  'doi,  and  pur- 
chased him  of  the  Indian  wdio  took  h  u  vin<>;  him  his 
rifle,  clothes,  and  all  that  he  could  comui  ad  b}'  way  of 
ransom :  he  then  took  possession  of  Cap  mi  T'Jemere's  honse, 
where  be  kept  his  prisoner  as  one  of  »..s  family,  and  hu- 
manely shared  with  him  the  little  ju'ovisions  his  table 
afforded,  until  an  opportunit}^  should  offer  of  rescuing  him." 

A  quantity  of  ammunition  was  discovered  by  the  In- 
dians, bnried  in  the  fort,  and  Occonostota  determined  to 
proceed  at  once  to  lay  siege  to  Fort  Prince  George.  Captain 
Steuart  was  informed  that  the  assistance  of  himself  and 
his  men  would  be  required  in  the  management  of  the  great 
gnus,  and  that,  furthermore,  if  the  garrison  shonld  refuse 
to  capitnlate,  all  the  })risoners  now  in  the  hands  of  the 
Indians  should,  one  In'  one,  be  burned  In  sight  of  the  fort. 
Perceiving  the  difficnlty  of  his  situation,  the  captain  begged 
his  kind  old  ])roprictor  to  assist  him  in  effecting  an  escape, 
and  Attakullakulla  readily  lent  his  aid.  Upon  pretence 
of  taking  his  prisoner  out  i'oi-  a  hunt,  he  left  Fort  Loudon, 
with  his  wife  and  brother,  and  two  English  soldiers,  and 
took  a  direct  course  for  the  Virginia  frontier.  After  a 
most  toilsome  and  dangerous  march,  they  fell  in  with  a 


V  I 


m 


^n 


,;:-a  I. 


I  I 


I  ;i 


\.^''i 


.).l 

■h 


\'' 


!()() 


INDIAN  HAl'KS  OF  AMKKK'A. 


party  of  lliiV''  liiiiidrcil  nicii,  srtil  oiil  lor  llu.'  iclii'f  of  sucli 
of  the  garrison  at  I'ort  London  as  iniglit  have  clffctcd  their 
cscaj)0.  ])ciii,^  now  in  salL'ty,  (,'a])tain  Stcuai't  dismissed 
his  Indian  friends  witii  liandsonic  rewards,  to  return  and 
attend  to  the  welfare  ol'liis  H)rnier  JeIlow-})risoners,  Snch 
of  them  as  had  survived  were  afterwards  ransomed  and 
delivered  up  at  Fort  I'l'incc  George. 

This  })ost  was  immediately  su])plied  with  provisions  in 
untieipation  of  the  siege;  and  eare  was  taken,  througli  the 
mediation  of  Attakullaknlla,  to  impress  the  Clicrokecs  with 
the  idea  that  it  was  totally  impregnahle. 

Matters  aj>pcared  now  to  be,  in  some  manner,  at  rest; 
but  thi^  mtijority  of  the  (Mierokee  nation  remained  thor- 
oughly inimicnl,  and  emissaries  from  the  Frcneh  colonies 
were  busv  in  their  midst.  A  I^'uMieh  odieer,  of  the  name 
of  Latinac,  was  espeeially  suceessfnl  in  rousing  np  their 
hostile  feelings.  As  an  instance  of  his  style  of  proceeding, 
it  is  related  that,  at  a  great  conclave  of  the  tribe,  he  step- 
ped out,  and  drove  his  hatchet  into  a  log,  calling  out: 
'"Who  is  the  man  that  will  take  this  up  for  'the  king  of 
1^'rancc?'  Saloui',  a  young  warrior  of  JOstatoe,  laid  hold  of 
it,  and  cried  out,  'I  am  for  war!  the  spirits  of  our  brothers 
who  have  been  slain  still  call  upon  us  to  revenge  their 
death— he  is  no  better  than  a  woman  who  refuses  to  f(.)l- 
ow  uu\ 

In  the  following  spring,  Colonel  James  Grant,  who  had 
succeeded  to  ihc  comma:id  of  the  Highlanders  employed 
in  ]>ritish  service  in  AmcM'ica,  commenced  active  operations 
against  the  belligerent  nation.  What  Avitli  the  aid  of  the 
provincials  and  friendly  Indians,  he  Avas  at  the  head  of 
abont  twenty-six  hundred  men.  The  Chickasaws  and 
Catawbas  lent  some  assistance  to  the  J'higlisli;  but  the 
Creeks  are  said  to  have  alternately  inclined  to  the  French 
or  English,  according  as  they  j-eccivcd  or  hoped  for  favors 
and  presents. 


I . 
.  I 
1 1 

II 


INDIANS  OF  THE  SOUTIIKUN  STATES. 


401 


Tlic  Jinny  readied  Fort  Prince  George  on  llir  27tli  of 
May,  (I7<>1,)  and  there  old  AtUikullakulla  ninilc  his  aj)- 
pearaneo,  dei)rceating  tlie  proj)os('(I  vengeance  of  tlic  wliitcs 
n})on  liis  })eople.  He  was  told  that  the  Knglish  still  fMt 
the  strongest  regard  for  him  individually,  hnt  that  the  ill- 
will  and  misconduct  of  the  majority  of  the  nation  W(Mv  too 
palpalile  and  gross  to  be  sulVercd  to  go  longer  unpniiished. 
Ccjlonel  Grant  marched  from  the  fort  in  the  monlli  oChni'', 
and  advanced  nearly  to  the  spot  where  Montgomery's 
progress  had  been  arrested,  before  coming  to  an  engage- 
ment. Here  the  Cherokees,  on  the  loth,  made  a  desperate 
but  unavailing  stand;  they  were  routed  and  dispersed,  h-av- 
ing  their  towns  and  villages  of  the  interior  to  be  destroyed 
by  the  invaders.  Etchoe  was  burned  on  the  day  following 
the  battle;  and,  according  to  McCall,  "all  the  other  towns 
in  the  middle  settlemcvic,  fourteen  in  number,  shared  the 
same  fate:  the  corn,  cattle,  and  other  stores  of  the  enemy, 
were  likewise  destroyed,  and  those  miserable  savagt-s,  with 
their  families,  were  driven  to  seek  shelter  and  subsistence 
among  the  barren  mountains." 

Upon  the  return  of  the  army  to  Fort  Prince  George, 
after  this  campaign,  Attakullakulla  again  visited  the  camp, 
bringing  with  him  a  number  of  other  Cherokee  chiel's. 
Broken  down  by  their  disastrous  losses,  and  disgusted  with 
the  deceitful  promises  of  the  French,  they  gladly  acceded 
to  such  terms  as  Colonel  Grant  thought  fit  to  impose,  and 
a  ti'eaty  of  peace  was  formally  concluded. 
26 


1- . 


iW' 


i"  li '  •  iy 


;i>. 


i'::l 


#'. 


>' 


If! 


402  INDIAN'    1{A('KS  OK  AMKIUCA. 


CIlArTKU  III. 

CAPTAIN     STETTAIIt's     Ar.F.NCY — DISTIIIIMANCI':    IN     17(i7 — VISIT    OF 
TICCUMSKil  TO  TIIK    SOinHKItN    TItllllCS — WKATHKUFOHH — SACK 

OF    FOKT    I\IIMMS WAR    OF    HIH — (JKNKUAL  JACKSOn's 

CAMl'AUiN — IIATTLES  ONTIli:  TAI.LUSAHA'PCIIKK;    AT 

TALLADEGA,  AUTOSSKK,  ETC. — TIIK  HALLIURKS 

DEFEAT    OF    THE  LNUIANS   AT    IIOllSE-SIIOE 
BEND END    OF    THE    WAR. 

In  tliG  year  1VG2,  it  was  thought  advisable  Ly  tlie  i^'ng- 
lisli  government  to  appoint  a  general  ng(Mit  and  supcria- 
tendent  of  Indian  aft'airs  at  the  south.  Partly  through  the 
earnest  intervention  of  Attakullakulla,  but  espeeially  be- 
cause of  his  known  sagacity  and  influence  over  the  native 
tribes,  this  office  was  conferred  npon  Captain  John  Stcu- 
art.  I'pon  entering  on  the  duties  of  his  appointment,  he 
called  a  great  council  of  de])uties,  from  all  the  southern 
tribes,  at  Mobile.  Addressing  the  assembled  chiefs  in 
their  own  style  of  oratory,  he  explained  to  them  the  rela- 
tions then  existing  between  France  and  England,  impress- 
ing ii})on  them  the  idea  that  all  residing  east  of  the 
Mississippi,  must  now  look  to  the  English  for  supplies  and 
protection.  lie  directed  his  harangue  to  the  several 
nations  in  sepjirate  succession,  promising  entire  amnesty 
to  all  who  had  taken  up  the  hatchet  in  behalf  of  the 
French;  commending  those  Avho  had  remained  faithful  to 
the  English;  and  excusing  those  who  had  sided  with  tlie 
enemy,  as  the  victims  of  deception. 

It  was  proposed  to  adopt,  at  this  time,  a  more  just  and 
equable  policy  towards  the  Indians  than  had  heretofore 
been  used,  and  to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  secure  tlicm 
against  the  deception  of  imprinci})led  sj^eeulators.  A  flairs, 
accordingly,  looked  peaceful  and  prosperous  for  some 
years.     The  na1i\es  made  over  a  large  additional  tract  of 


--._J 


'f  '      :■* 


ACK 

'S 


c  Eng- 
iporia- 
.o-li  tho 
illy  be- 
native 
n  Stcu- 
icut,  lie 
)utlieni 
licls  in 
he  relti- 

(.r  tho 
iori  and 
several 
[unu'sty 
of  tlio 
liful  to 
illi  tlio 


1st  and 

letofore 

tlicni 

iVlVairs. 

son  10 

Iract  of 


r..-J 


INDIANS  OF   lllK  SOI   rilCIJN   ST^TKS. 


403 


laud  ti)  tho  <j^r()wl!if^  colony  of  Georgia,  to  be  sold,  and  tho 
avails  applii'd  to  the  dis<'hargo  of  tho  heavy  debts  they 
hail  ineuired  I'or  sii[)[ilies  of  aiiimuiiitioti,  elothiii"^,  kr. 
Tho  lollou  iii,^'  eireiiiiistaiiee  suliieieiitly  evinces  Mie  {)orK'y 
of  mild  laetisiires  towards  the  Indians:  In  17()T,  tho  \vhit>s 
h;i\in,^  made  enci'oaehincnls  u[ion  ihe  Indian  lands,  soim' 
of  tho  Creek  \vari-iors  lieL'an  to  retaliate  by  stealin}^  horses 
Avhieh  they  found  upon  theii' own  tei'ritoiy.  A  [>arty  (<!' 
them  also  attacked  a  store  at  Trad-'i'V  Hill,  on  the  St. 
Mary's,  belonging  to  one;  Lemmon^,  and  after  pUitidering 
it  of  its  coutonts,  burned  the  buildings.  Some  of  the 
whites  pursued  these;  marauders;  reeovered  tho  stolen 
horses;  laid  hands  upon  what  valuable  goods  they  could 
discover,  and  destroyed  the  villages  of  the  oilenders.  Far 
less  important  affairs  have  often  led  to  long  and  bloody 
wars  with  the  nati\es;  but,  in  this  instance,  Glovornor 
Wright,  at  Savannah,  restored  perfect  (|uict  by  decreeing 
nuitual  I'ostorations  and  eompousation. 

No  events  of  very  striking  interest  connected  with  tlio 
Indians  of  the  Southern  States,  call  for  our  attention  from 
this  period  to  that  of  tho  wars  with  the  western  tribes  in 
tho  early  j)art  of  the  present  century.  Until  thoy  became, 
to  a  certain  extent,  involved  in  those  hostilities,  they  re- 
mained in  comparative  jioaee  with  tho  American  whites. 
After  the  tei'mination  of  tho  revolutionary  war,  and  tho 
establishment  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States, 
ihe  intrigues  of  o})posing  parties  no  longer  operated  to 
Ibinent  disturbance,  or  to  tempt  the  nnfortunatc  savages 
to  engage  in  qnarrels  where  they  had  nothing  to  gain,  and 
wl   I'h  over  resulted  in  their  final  diseonifitnre. 

By  a*  steady  inerease  of  nund)ers,  and  the  adventurous 
^nr'it  of  pioneers,  the  Avhite  settlers  cxcry  where  ma'io 
advances  upon  tho  Indian  territory.  Sometimes  large  ac- 
quisitions would  bo  made  by  a  government  purchiust;;  but, 
to  no  small  extent,  tho  opinion  that  the  occupation  of  a 


% 


■■■•  -:i^ 


■i: 


fe.- 


404 


INDIAN  RACP:S  of  AMERICA. 


■  y , 


-■■-:■,*' 

■'■>' 


,  '"1 


•* . 


few  roving  savages  could  give  no  natural  title  to  lands,  as 
opposed  to  the  claims  of  those  who  had  I'cclaiiued,  incli^scd, 
and  improved  the  wilderness,  satislicd  tlie  (•oiiscieiiccs  of 
the  encroachers,  '^J'he  argnmeiit  in  faNor  ol'  this  cwiirlu- 
sion  is  by  no  means  without  force;  hut  wlio  can  take  n[n)n 
himself  to  draw  the  line  of  demarkation  which  shall  decide, 
u])on  any  principle  of  universal  aj)plicatiun,  the  hounds 
of  so  artificial  a  right  as  the  owncrshi])  oi'  land? 

In  the  autumn  of  1811,  ihe  great  Siiawanee  chief  Te- 
cumseh,  in  pursuance  of  his  b<>ld  and  extensive  ])lans  for 
a  universal  association  of  the  Indians  against  the  "whites, 
made  a  tour  among  the  southern  tribes.  His  eloquent 
appeals,  and  the  overpowering  energy  which  distinguished 
this  truly  great  man,  })rovcd  successful  in  the  winning 
over  to  his  views  of  no  small  number  of  the  Indian  war- 
riors, even  among  those  who  had  long  maintained  a 
friendly  intercourse  with  the  Americans  and  the  govei'n- 
ment  of  the  United  States. 

At  the  time  of  the  declaration  of  war  with  England, 
(June  18th,  1812,)  the  whole  western  border  of  the  United 
States  was  in  a  position  of  the  greatest  danger  and  inse- 
curity. The  machinations  of  Tecuinseh  and  the  Prophet 
had  roused  an  extensive  flame  of  vindictive  ferocity 
throughout  the  Indian  nations,  while  British  agents,  it  is 
said,  were  widely  dispersed,  and,  by  munificent  promises 
and  artful  persuasions,  had  still  farther  widened  the  breach 
between  the  savages  and  their  white  countrymen.  Fright- 
ful scenes  of  depredation  and  murder  called  for  a  })rompt 
and  decisive  check.  Many  minor  forays  arc  recorded,  but 
the  destruction  of  Fort  Mimms  in  the  Tensau  settlement 
of  Mississippi,  in  the  summer  of  the  year  following,  may 
be  considered  the  first  important  part  ttdvcn  by  the  south- 
ern tribes  in  the  wars  of  this  period.  We  shall  not  under- 
take, in  our  brief  accouiit  of  the  Indian  campaign  of  ISlo. 
to  keep  up  a  distinction  between  the  different  tribes  of 


■i  I 


INDIANS  OF  TUL  SOUTHERN  STATES, 


405 


Creeks,  Chickasaws,  Choctaws,  Chcrokees,  &c.,  who  were 
drawn  into  liostilities. 

rroininent  among  the  chiefs  and  leaders  of  tlie  southern 
confederacy,  was  the  celebrated  Wcatherford.  His  mother 
was  said  to  have  been  a  J>eminole,  but  he  was  born  among 
the  Creeks,  lie  was,  beyond  question,  possessed  of  many- 
noble  and  commanding  qualities,  but  these  were  combined 
with  cruelty,  avarice,  and  degrading  vices.  A  party  of 
about  one  thousand  warriors,  led  by  this  popular  chief, 
fell  u])on  the  devoted  Fort  Minims,  on  the  oOth  of  Au- 
gust, 1813.  The  post  was  garrisoned  by  one  hundred  and 
sixty  enicient  soldiers;  the  rest  of  its  occuj)ants,  to  the 
number  of  one  hundred  and  fifteen,  consisted  of  old  men, 
women  and  children.  The  forces  were  under  the  com- 
mand of  Major  Beasly.  No  regular  preparations  had  been 
made  for  the  reception  of  so  powerful  :in  enemy,  and  al- 
though the  soldiers  did  their  duty  manfully,  they  wcro 
overpowei'cd,  and  all  slain  except  seventeen.  The  women 
and  children  having  ensconced  themselves  in  several  block 
houses,  met  with  a  more  terrible  fate.  The  savages  set 
fire  to  the  buildings,  and  consumed  them,  together  with 
their  inmates. 

The  settlers  inhabiting  exposed  districts  were  now 
obliged  to  fly  for  safety  to  places  of  protection,  and  the 
hostile  hordes  of  Indians  were  collecting  their  warriors  for 
further  inroads  upon  the  frontier.  To  resist  them,  a  lai'go 
foi'ce  was  called  into  requisition  in  Tennessee,  and  the 
command  bestowed  upon  General  Andrew  Jackson.  Col- 
onel Coffee,  at  the  head  of  a  considerable  body  of  troops, 
and  such  volunteers  as  could  be  immediately  collected, 
hastened  forward  to  defend  the  country  in  the  vicinity  of 
lluntsville.  General  Jackson,  although  disabled  at  this 
time,  by  a  broken  arm,  determined  to  take  the  field  in  per- 
son, and  pushed  on  the  necessary  preparations  with  all  that 
zeal  and  energy  which  marked  his  character  through  life. 


i ;  'f 


'«(■'■' 


i06 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMKRICA 


fr' 


i      ■  't 


News  was  broriqlit  by  some  runners  fi-oni  tlio  osliiblisli- 
ment  of  the  friendly  old  Creek  eliief  Cliinnaby,  tliat  the 
enemy  was  approach ing  Iluntsville,  or  Fort-  llainiilcn,  in 
full  force.  Tlie  report  was  erroneous,  hut,  as  othoi'  iiimois 
seemed,  at  the  time,  to  confirm  it,  the  general  hiii  licd  liis 
army  on  to  relieve  the  post.  This  was  on  the  ioih  cfOc;- 
tober  (1813).  From  Iluntsville,  Jackson,  with  his  Ibrct^s, 
crossed  the  Tennessee,  and  joined  Colonel  Cud'ce,  who  was 
posted  upon  a  high  blulT  on  the  south  bank  of  the  ii\  i^r. 

From  this  place,  Colonel  Coffee  Avas  dispatched,  with 
SCA  en  hundred  men,  to  beat  up  the  enemies'  quarteis  on 
the  Black  Warrior  river,  while  the  eonnnandei-  ol'  tlie 
army  turned  all  his  attention  to  securing  some  supplies  ol' 
provision  for  liis  famishing  troojis.  Encamped  iu  the 
enemies'  countrv,  whither  thev  had  arrived  1)V  lofee(l 
marches,  the  troo}.s  were  necessarily  exjiosed  to  great  hard- 
ship and  want.  While  awaiting  su{)}ilies  at  this  ene;i!iip- 
mcnt,  General  Jackson  had  an  interview  with  ^>lu'loeta,  a 
son  of  Chinnaby,  who  had  come  to  request  iissistanee  for 
his  father  and  friends,  blockaded  in  their  fort  by  the  hos- 
tile Creeks.  He  sai<l  that  a  (.'onsiderable  force  of  tlu' 
enemy  was  now  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Ten  Islands,  on 
the  Coosa. 

The  news  was  confirmed  by  other  messengers,  and  tlu^ 
commander  proceeded  towards  the  Coosa,  to  protect  his 
Indian  allies,  notwithstanding  the  straits  to  which  his  men 
were  reduced  from  want  of  provisions.  The  troops  reached 
the  Islands  without  encountering  an  enemy.  On  the  rout(\ 
Colonel  Dyer  was  detached,  with  two  hundred  mounteil 
men  to  fall  upon  Littafutehee,  at  the  head  of  Canoe  Ci'cek,  a 
western  tributary  of  the  Coosa.  He  accomplished  the  ser- 
vice, destroy(;d  the  town,  and  brought  back  to  the  camp 
twenty-nine  prisoners. 

While  encamped  at  the  Ten  Islands,  the  general  ascer- 
tained the  real  rendezvous  of  the  enemy  to  be  u])on  the 


V-^A 


INDIANS  OF  THE  SOUTHERN  STATES. 


407 


!  I 


Tallussaliatcliee  Creek,  emptying  into  the  Coosa  about  tliir- 
teen  miles  below  tlie  encampment.  Colonel  Coffee,  with 
nine  hundred  men,  was  promptly  ordered  u])on  the  duty 
of  engaging  them,  lie  forded  the  Coosa  at  the  Fi.--h- 
Dams,  and,  approaching  the  Indian  camp,  so  disposed  his 
forces  as  to  partially  surround  it,  while  several  companies, 
under  Captain  Ilannnond  and  Lieutenant  I'atterson,  were 
marched  in  to  beat  uj?  the  enemies'  quarters.  The  savages 
fought  boldly  and  desperately,  but  were  overpowered  and 
driven  into  their  buildings,  where  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
six  of  their  number  rierished,  f]<2;htincr  hand  to  hand. 
Eighty-four  women  and  children  were  taken  prisoners, 
and  a  number  were  killed,  as  is  said,  by  accident,  during 
the  melee.  This  battle  was  fjught  on  the  od  of  Novem- 
ber (1813). 

A  species  of  fortification  was  now  prepared  at  tlie  islands, 
and  named  Fort  Strother.  On  the  7tli  of  the  montli,  in- 
formation was  received  that  the  enemy  was  collecting  in 
force  to  attack  Talladega, — a  post  about  thirty  miles  be- 
low, occupied  by  friendly  Indians,- — and  General  Jackson, 
Avitli  nearly  his  whole  army,  consisting  of  twelve  hundred 
infantrv  and  eiiiht  hundred  "uounted  men,  hastened  to  its 
relief.  The  baggage,  the  sick,  and  the  wounded,  were  left, 
under  a  guard  of  protection,  at  Fort  Sti'other. 

The  river  was  feu'ded  by  the  mounted  men,  each  carry- 
ing one  of  the  infantry  behind  him,  a  process  which  was 
continued  till  the  whole  army  was  safely  landed  on  the 
opposite  shore.  It  was  about  midnight  Avhen  the  march 
connuenced,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  ensuing  day,  a  spot 
only  six  miles  from  Talladega  was  reached.  ]>y  four 
o'clock,  on  the  following  morning,  the  troops  were  again 
in  motion;  and,  acting  upon  intelligence  obtained  by  I'c- 
connoitering  during  the  night.  General  Jackson  was  ena- 
bh'd  so  to  disjiose  his  tro()])S  as  partially  to  surround  the 
camp  before  the  action  commenced.     It  is  unncc  ■sni-y  to 


■±rm 

mi 


.   t 


I 


I! 


408 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMti;A;.^. 


i 


give  the  details  of  tliis  buttle.  The  Ind'.ns  ciis|  '.i\\u]  l.ioth 
courage  and  firmness,  and  by  the  iinpetuositj  of  their 
attack,  broke  through  the  line  of  the  advancing  forces  at 
a  point  occupied  by  General  Roberts'  brigade.  They  were 
driven  in  again  by  a  l)ody  of  reserved  troops,  bnl  suc- 
ceeded in  making  their  escape  to  the  niountains,  three 
miles  distant,  through  an  opening  left  by  some  niiscalcu- 
lation  in  the  direction  of  the  Americans'  advance.  "In 
this  battle,"  according  to  Cobbett,  "the  force  of  the  enemy 
was  one  thousand  and  eighty,  of  whom  two  hundivd  and 
ninety-nine  were  left  dead  on  the  ground;  and  it  is  Ix;- 
lieved  that  many  were  killed  in  the  llight,  who  were  not 
found  when  the  estimate  was  made.  T^^eir  loss,  on.  this 
occasion,  as  stated  since  by  themselves,  was  not  less  than 
six  hundred:  that  of  the  Americans  was  fifteen  killed  and 
eighty  wounded,  several  of  whom,  afterwards  died." 

The  friendly  Indians,  wdio  had  been  besieged  in  :heir 
fort  at  this  place,  deprived  even  of  water,  expressed  the 
liveliest  gratitude  and  exultation  at  tlieir  release.  Tlio 
fatigue,  exposure,  and  want  which  the  army  were  com- 
pelled to  undergo,  nov/  began  to  arouse  a  spirit  of  discon- 
tent and  mutiny.  Few  men  have  ever  possessed  that  self- 
devotion  and  noble  spirit  of  endurance,  combined  with 
an  inflexibility  of  pu'^':  'se  never  surpassed,  which  enabled 
Jackson  +o  quell  'lie  d^jturbances  which  arose,  and  to 
preserve  the  forces  under  his  charge  in  a  condition  for 
active  and  useful  service. 

After  the  battle  at  Talladega,  the  Ilallibec  Indians,  who 
were  largely  concerned  in  that  transaction,  sued  for  peace. 
They  were  told  by  the  Am(>rican  general  that  this  should 
be  accorded,  upon  condition  of  the  restoration  of  plundered 
property,  and  the  delivering  up  of  those  who  had  tak'en 
part  in  the  massacre  at  l^ort  Mimms.  Unfortunatc/ly. 
while  these  negotiations  were  pending.  General  While, 
acting  under  orders  independent  of  General  Jackson,  at- 


II 


I  ! 


I  ' 


; 


:::> 


I! 


!  I 


a  botii 

■   their 
rccs  at 
\  were 
IH  suc- 
,  111  roe 
iscalcu- 
,     "In 
eucniy 
•c(l  and 
t  is  1)0- 
LTC  not 
on  tills 
;ss  tluin 
lied  and 


in  :licir  \ 

scd  the  i 

i.     The  ! 

^e  (;oin-  ' 


(lisoon- 


III 


tsrlf- 
with 

ablo.l 
land  to 
tion  for 


IS,  AVllO 

Doaco. 


Isiionld 

idovod 

tah  on 

Inatolv. 


Wl 


utc 


f  J 


,1,  at- 


r- 1  •^''^ii 

iHH 

Ul 

Ml 

m 

'■    ■  ; 

M 

i¥'' 


$> 


1 1  i;  N. 


.1  A  (•  K  SO  N 


\\ 


1 1 


i  i 


i  1 


k 


INDIANS  OF  THE  SOUTHP^RN  STATES. 


409 


t;ickc(l  the  towns  of  ih-^se  Induins,  destroyed  inaiiy  of 
tlicir  warriors,  ami  carriod*olV  scvci'al  huiulicd  eapfivcN. 
Supposing  that  this  was  by  Jackstjn's  orders,  tlii^y  exp'clL'd 
no  further  liuor,  and  Fouglit  thereafter  with  the  dcs^icra- 
tion  of  men  to  whom  no  quaitei'  was  to  he  given. 

The  result  of  this  Indian  c'aiii]'aign  was  tlu'  mlire  re- 
daction of  tlie  liostiU'  nations.  \\v.  need  not  recount  the 
various  battles  in  which  they  were  defeated  and  dc--!  roved. 
The  most  noted  of  these  were  at  Autossee,  where  some 
two  hundred  were  massacred,  on  the  29th  of  Xovember, 
and  that  (^f  the  givat  bend  in  the  'l'allapo(,'sie,  known  as 
Ilorsc-Shoe  Bend.  At  this  latter  point,  the  Indians  lorti- 
fied  themselves  for  a  last  and  des})eratc  stand. 

They  were  supposed  to  be  about  one  thousand  in  num- 
ber, and  had  been,  lor  simie  time,  sli'engthening  tiK'ir 
position  by  (.'very  mea:is  within  their  reach,  'i'liis  was  in 
the  month  of]\[areh,  i'^M.  ()n  ihc  2Tth,  (Jeneral  -lackson, 
with  a  foj'ce  of  whit-s  and  friendly  Indians,  tliive  times 
the  number  of  the  enemy,  commenced  e)})eraiions  against 
the  fort.  General  Coih  e,  with  most  of  the  cavalry  and 
Indian  allies,  was  directed  to  surround  the  bend,  i^i  order 
to  cut  off  all  retreat  across  the  riv(.u'.  The  ])laee  was  then 
carried  by  storm,  under  a  heavy  lire  fi'om  within.  ]v[ore 
than  half  the  Indians  were  killed  at  the  fort,  and  an  un- 
known number  perished  in  theii'  endeavors  to  esea})e  l)y 
crossing  the  river,  beset  as  it  was  by  the  assailants.  Some 
have  asserted  that  })rol)ably  not  more  than  twenty  ever 
reached  a  })lacc  of  safety.  xVt  a  time  when  it  was  evident 
that  tiie  fortune  of  the  day  was  decided,  General  Jackso)i 
sent  a  messenger,  with  a  (lag  of  ti'uce,  to  invite  a  surrender, 
but,  from  ignorance  or  desperation,  the  savages  fired  upon 
the  bearer  of  the  flag..  After  this,  no  mercy  was  shown: 
until  night  put  an  end  to  the  work  of  destruction,  tliey 
were  shot  or  cut  down  wherever  they  could  be  found,  and 
even  on  the  following  morning,  a  considerable  number  wei'e 


M 


•fi*' 


f 


1 1 


410 


INDIAN   RACES  OP  AMERICA. 


ferreted  out  from  tlie  "caves  aiul  reeds,''  wlicrc  they  had 
sought  coiieealmeiiL,  iiiid  reinorseU^ssly  put  to  death.  Sev- 
eral hundi'ed  \vo)neri  ami  ehiklrcii  were  made  captives. 
The  loss  of  the  attacking  army,  in  tliis  battle,  was  lifty-iive 
killed,  and  one  hundred  and  forty-six  wounded. 

In  the  ensuing  month,  (A])ril,)  GeneralJaekson  having 
effected  a  junction  with  the  troops  from  Georgia,  under 
Colonel  Milton,  received  a  deputation  from  the  principal 
hostile  tribes,  expressing  a  wish  for  peace.  The  general 
demanded,  as  one  condition  upon  which  he  woiikl  treat, 
and  as  a  test  of  tlic  sincerity  of  the  proposal,  that  the  great 
but  nutmions  Wcatlieribi'd  should  be  delivered  u))  for 
punishment.  This  chief,  hearing  of  the  requisitiini,  and 
hopeless  oi  fui'ther  success  in  resistance,  came  voluntarily 
to  the  American  camp,  and  presenting  himself  befoio  the 
commander,  with  characteristic  dignity  and  conip«\surc, 
.requested  |)eaco  for  his  people,  and  ainiounced  his  own 
submission  to  his  fate,  whatever  it  might  be. 

His  speech  on  this  occasion  is  given  as  follows:  "I  am 
in  your  power — do  with  me  as  you  please — I  am  a  soldier. 
I  have  done  the  whites  all  the  harm  I  could.  I  have 
fouglit  them,  and  fought  them  bravely.  If  I  had  an  army, 
I  would  yet  fight — I  would  contend  to  the  last:  but  I 
have  none.  My  people  are  all  gone.  I  can  only  weep 
over  the  misfortunes  of  my  nation." 

On  being  told  that  he  was  still  at  liberty  to  depart,  and  that 
no  favor  Avould  be  shown  to  him  or  his  nation  unless  they 
should  submit,  to  whatever  terms  the  whites  should  see  fit 
to  impose,  he  replied:  "You  can  safely  address  iw  in 
such  terms  now.  There  was  a  time  when  I  could  have 
answered  you — there  was  a  time  when  1  had  a  choice — I 
have  none  now.  I  have  not  even  a  hope.  1  could  once 
animate  my  A\arriors  to  battle;  but  I  cannot  animate  the 
d(>ad.  My  warriors  can  no  longer  hear  ray  voice,  'i'heir 
bones  are  at  Talladega,  Tallusshatchee,  Emucklaw,  and  To- 


I 


I! 


l! 


^1 


y  lia(3 
Sev- 
)tivos. 
y-iivu 

laving 
under 
incipul 
^enenil 
1  treat, 
0  great 
up  for 
)ii,  and 
uilarily 
u)ro  the 
iposurc, 
lis  own 


"lam    ii 
soldier. 

I  have 
11  army, 

hut  I 
[y  ^veep 

imdtliat 
pss  tliey 

II  -ot^  lit 
liic  in 

id  liave 

loiee — I 

id  once 

J  a  to  the 

Their 

imd  To- 


ll 


II 


INDIANS  OF  THE  SOUTHKUN  M'A'niS. 


4il 


hopeka.  ""  ''^'  *  '^  Yoti  are  a  hravc  man ;  I  rely  iipc^n  your 
generosity.  You  will  exact  no  terms  of  a  conquered 
jieoplc  hut  such  as  tliey  shouUl  aec(Mh>  to," 

This  was  the  hist  important  incident  of  the  campaign. 
The  Indians  submitted  to  the  (h<:Uilion  of  the  whites,  and 
retired  to  the  districts  assigned  them,  eastward  of  the  Coosa. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE    HEMOVAI,    OF    THE   CHKllOKIOI'.S    WEST    OF    IllF.    MISSISSIPPI 

PRESENT   LOCATION  AND  CONDITION  OK  THE  OTHER  TRIBES 
OF  THE  SOUTHERN  STATES. 

"Bi\'irinfr  a  people  with  nil  its  liosiseiiold  Gods  into  exile, 
E.\ile  without  an  end,  and  wiihout  an  example  in  story. — "' 

LoNr.FELI.OW. 

But  a  few  years  have  pnsscd  since  the  Cherokees  were 
in  the  peaceful  occupation  of  an  immense  and  fertile  ter- 
ritorj^  in  the  northern  part  of  Georgia.  They  numbered 
not  far  from  eighteen  thousand,  and  Avere  inci'easing  in  a 
ratio  which  attested  their  power  of  self-support  and  im- 
provement. They  had  made  advances  far  beyond  mo.st 
of  their  red  brethren  in  the  arts  of  agriculture  and  manu- 
factures. A  system  of  legislation  adapted  to  their  capaci- 
ties and  wants  had  been  established,  and,  generally  speaking, 
the  nation  exhibited  a  praiscAvorthy  spectacle  of  sobriety, 
industry,  and  good  order.  They  were  in  possession  of 
about  eight  millions  of  acres  of  !and,  and  their  abilit}'  and 
inclination  to  cultivate  it,  may  appear  from  the  statistics 
of  their  stock  and  agricultui-al  implements.  In  1826,  they 
were  the  owners  of  seven  thousand  six  hundred  horses, 
twenty-two  thousand  cattle,  forty-six  thousand  swine,  and 
two  thousand   iive  hundred  sheep.     There  were  in  u;;e 


'   1.'  '    '  *ff-'\A 


m 

i 

1 

'■] 

1 

'ii 


•  it 


-  « 

1      M 


i,fki 


r-." 


rrrn 


412 


INDIAN   HACKS  OF  AMKKICA. 


r/i   . 

i 

1^, 

■ 

P 

' 

jimoii;^'  flicin  two  tliousaiid  nine  liuiidrc'il  lui'l  forty-llirce 
pluiiizlis,  and  one  Imiulpil  ami  Hcvdity-two  wa.Lions.  'I'licy 
occupied  their  tei-ritorv  iiiider  the  ti'euties  ciitere.l  iiilo, 
and  within  tht'  hounds  a.-siirned  at  the  nej/oliatious  hetweeii 
tlio  ooure<leratc  states  and  th(>  Indiaii  triltes  of  ilio  south, 
at  the  close  ol'the  ie\dhit ionarv  war. 

Ill  the  \-eai'  ISO'J,  when  the  |Mn^'-ve\e(l  que  tion  of  tin* 
Ixiinidaiies  of  the  state  ol'  (ieorgia  was  llnally  seltleil,  the 
I'liited  States  stijiulatinl  to  extinguish  tlie  title  of  the 
Cherokees  to  the  lauds  then  in  their  iiossessioii,  "as  eaily 
as  the  same  could  l)c  peaceably  obtained,  upon  reasonable 
terms. 

A.S  the  states  of  Georgia,  Alabaiiui,  and  Mississippi 
increased  in  power  and  population,  they  became  more  and 
more  impatient  oi'  tlie  existence  of  self-governing  and 
independent  tribes  within  their  boundaries,  and  begau  to 
exert  a  control  over  them  in  some  instances  exceedingly 
riujust  and  op})ressivc.  Strong  eilorts  were  made  to  induce 
an  emigration  of  these  Indians  to  the  west,  wliicli  were  in 
some  measure  successful,  and,  prior  to  bS29,  a  cession  or 
sale  of  a  very  large  district  liad  been  obtained  from  the 
Cherokees.  The  members  of  this  tril)c,  naturally  attached 
to  the  beautiful  country  in  which  they  had  passed  their 
lives,  finally  determined  to  retain  possession  of  what  re- 
mained  of  their  lands,  and  to  allow  oi"  no  further  sales 
to  "ivhites. 

In  December,  of  the  above  year,  the  state  of  Ticorgia 
passed  a  scries  of  acts  which  justly  aroused  the  fears  and 
indignation  of  the  Indians,  and  excited  a  feeling  of  sym- 
pathy in  their  behalf,  as  powerful  as  extensive.  The  laws 
of  the  state  were  declared  to  be  in  full  force  ovei-  all  the 
Aborigines  within  its  limits;  the  regtdations  and  j^rovi- 
sions  of  the  Cherokee  council  were  declared  invalid  and 
void;  heavy  penalties  (amounting  to  years  of  imprison- 
ment at  hard  labor)  were  awarded  against  an\^  Cher<;kee 


I 


II 


IXDIANS  OF  THE  SOUTHERN  STATES.  413 


\\ 


lio  slioiild   "(Mulouvour'"   to  oppose  I'lai^i'iilioii;  ;iiii 


1   it 


WHS  evi'ii  I'liacliMl,  l.y  tlic  liricciitli  sirliou,  "tliiil   no   In- 
dian, or  (IcsctMidant  of   an    Indian,    wiiliin   llir  Cliriokco 


nation 


iiMians,   sha 


II   1. 


a  conii K'tcnl    witness   ni  anv 


i;ourt  ol"  Cicoru'ia,  in  a  suit  in  wliicli  a  white  man  is  a  \<nv\\ 


in  I  u'ss  such  white  man  I'csides  witiun  said  nation. 

Notwithstanding  the  a<lvi'rse  opinions  ol'  manv  dI'  tlio 
ablest  Jurists  in  the  eountiy,  as  to  the  eonstitntionalilv  or 
validity  of  these  and  other  provisions  of  tin;  ( ieorL-ia  legis- 


atur( 


iiul  even  a  tleeisioii 


1. 


aiiis 


t  tl 


H'lll     111 


tlie  S 


ii|ir(Mno 


Court  of  the  United  States,  they  were,  U)  a  eeitain  extent, 
enforeed.     'i'he  situation  of  the  Indians  beeaiiie,  in  coiise- 


(iuene(\  so  nivearnnis  and  uncon 


*1' 


) 


nrortal)h\  that 


a  eiiiishlei'- 


ahle  party  was  formed  amon^e;  tliem  of  those  faM'i'ahle  to 
migration.  At  the  liead  of  this  faetion  was  Maji>i'  K'idge, 
while  the  eele1)rated  dohn  Koss  was  the  leader  of  those 
o])])osed  to  the  movement — a  vi-ry  large  majority  of  the; 
nation. 

ontinu(>d   in    a   disturbed   and  iiiKpiiet    stati^ 


iMati 


ers   e 


iernierli(.)i'ii 


until  l>ioo.     At  this  time  the  llt-v.  J.  'l\  Sel 

was  de})uted  by  the  United  States  executive  io  bring  about 


(Muove  peaeeaDiv 


bb 


a  treaty  whereby  the  Cherokccs  should  r< 

receiving  a  reasonable  eoin})ensation  for  the  improvements 

which  they  should  leave  behind  them. 


"^riie  negotiation  a{ipears  to  have  been  eonduetiMl  as  most 
Indian  treaties  have  been,  wherever  a  speeifie  object  was 
to  be  gained.  Notice  was  given  of  u  council  to  l)e  hehl, 
and  a  collection  of  those  favorable  to  the  proposed  emi- 
gration ratified  a  treaty,  by  Avhich  the  whole  tribe  was 
bound  to  remove  within  two  years.  Notwithstanding  the 
obvious  waiit  of  authority  on  the  part  of  those  individuals 
to  bind  the  nation,  and  a  remonstrance  signed  by  the  thou- 
saiuls  who  ojiposcd  the  treaty,  it  was  ratified  by  (Anigi'css. 
An  approjn'iation  was  made  for  the  indemiiilleatioii  of 
those   who   should   sutler  loss   bv  l)einL!;   toi'ii    li'oin   tlicir 


IL:= 


M 


•.     i'tfif 


['.. 


Vij. 


:^^'l 


■".•.Mi 


^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


fe 


/. 


/. 


A^s 


f/. 


1.0 


I.I 


If  IM  IM 

1^  1^    ||||2.2 


lU 


lis  IIIIIM 


1.8 


1.25      1.4 

1.6 

M 6"     - 

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


Us 


^ 


r 


17" 


Hi 


INDIAN   RACES   OF  AMERICA. 


1       ' 


t 


ll 


I    I 


hollies,  and  for  tlie  other  expenses  attending  tlie  iinc|i;i;:<>ns 
tritiis;irli(jn,  find  nothing  was  loft  to  tlie  unhappy  Churo- 
kces  but  submission. 

No  resistance  Avas  ncide,  as,  indeed,  any  opposition 
would  liavc  been  utterly  ii'uitlcss.  'I'he  United  States' 
i'orces,  sent  to  overawe  the  Indians  and  enforce  compliance 
witli  the  cnicl  edict,  found  no  call  for  their  services.  With 
a  commendable  spirit  of  energy  and  perseverance,  tlu^ 
Cherokecs,  witli  their  brethren  of  the  neighboring  tribes 
of  the  south,  have  pursued  the  arts  and  ivlinemeiits  of 
civili/ali'jn  in  tlieir  new  homes  at  llu;  west.  They  arc 
n(jw  set  down  as  numbering  not  far  iVom  Iwenly-six  thou- 
sand, of  whom  by  far  the  larger  })ortion  is  located  wtjst  of 
the  Mississi])pi.  A  considerable  settlement,  howcvei',  is 
still  existing  in  North  Carolina. 

'fhe  Creeks  or  Muscogces  have  been  continuallv  (Miii- 
grating  westward  since  the  era  of  the  di(Tu;ulties  between 
the  southern  states  and  the  Indians  within  their  limits,  in 
1828-9,  ct  scq.  They  enjoy  a  tolerably  systematic  form  of 
govci'umcnt,  and  are  in  many  respects  prosperous. 

Without  going  into  a  particular  description  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  other  emigrating  nations,  we  will  conclude 
this  subject  with  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Schoolcraft,  njif>n 
"The  problem  of  civilization,"  to  be  solved  in  the  future 
history  of  these  races.  "AV^hatever  doubts  have  (^visted, 
heretofore,  in  regard  to  the  satisfactory  solution  of  this 
question,  they  must  now  give  way  before  the  cheering 
results  that  have  attended  the  philanthropic  efforts  that 
have,  from  time  to  time,  been  made,  and  are  at  present 
going  on  among  the  Cherokecs,  Choctaws,  Chickasaws, 
and  Creeks.  These  tribes  yielded  their  country  east  of 
the  Mississippi,  rendered  dear  to  them  by  the  associations 
of  3'outh,  their  traditions,  and  the  graves  of  their  fathers. 
They  had  learned  the  great  truths  of  Christianity,  and  the 
arts  of  airricultnrc,  and  of  civilized  life;  yet  they  gave  up 


ii 


K;ro-    !' 

il 
ition 
;atcs' 

;ilicc 

I'ibcs 
t<  of 
V-  uro 
tliou- 
ist  of 


cr,  IS 


•  cww- 

its,  in 
rill  of 


con- 
liide 

|iOU 

ture 
sted, 

this 
cring 

tluit 
oscnt 
saws, 
St  of 
itions 

icrs. 
(1  the 
vo  up 


II 


INDIANS  or  THE  SOUTH KliN  STATES. 


41. 


all,  and  sought  a  new  liomc  in  tlu'  nir-olV  wildci'iioss,  and 
liavc  made  in  that  wildiu'iicss  I'niid'nl  and  rich  (itnns,  and 
flourishing  villages.  Some  of  their  schools  arc  of  a  high 
order.  The  gospel  ministry  is  well  attended.  Some  of 
their  constitutions  arc  purely  repuhliean.  The  ]ieople  arc 
increasing  in  numbers.  Peace  dwells  within  tlicir  limits, 
and  plcnteousness  within  their  borders;  civilization  upon 
Cliristian  princii)l(.'s;  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts; 
and  schools.  "With  these  primary  and  fundamental  prin- 
ciples of  human  happiness,  civilization  among  them  is  no 
longer  problematical." 


i  ' 


Ij- 


I': 


■  |i 


"■'4 

♦ 

••','  ..  I': 

•     .C^ 

,     '",!(■.    ,' 

■|S 

i 

■^M 

V 

% 

m 

f 

. 

Isf^ 

X 


;t 


'(!»* 


f^- 


n" 


•V 


11 


NORTHERN   RACES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

TIIK    I- .SQIIKUAUX  :    TirElR    Mv\N.M:ks  A.N.0  rKKSO.XAL  APPEARANCE — 
ACCOUiS'TS  Ol-  KAIILY  V()VAr;i;KS — KSiil'LMAliX  H  A  BITATIO.NS,  F  OOD, 

ETC. — Tiric  KAiAK  OK  ':a:'.oi: — ;-;i;ai,i?cg — Tin-;  i;ki.\-I)i;i;k — 

USES    OF    TJIi;    no;; — PATK  I  \  IMllA  L  (lOVEli.N'ilENT 

EFFECTS  OF   rOI!K|i;\    I.NT)';i!rnFi:SI':. 

"  SenipiT  liyeiiis;  semper  siiiniiites  IViguni  Cauri." 

ViKGIL. 

TiTEJiE  is  little,  besides  some  analogies  in  language,  to 
connect  the  uneontli  race  wliicli  forms  the  subject  of  this 
cha])ter  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  more  genial  climates 
of  Norlli  America.  The  ]^]squimaux  are  spreticl  over  a 
vast  region  at  the  north,  dwelling  prhicipally  upon  the 
sea-coast,  and  uj)on  the  numberless  inlets  and  sounds  with 
Avhich  the  countrj^  is  intersected.  There  is  a  striking  sim- 
ilarity in  the  language,  habits  and  appearance  of  all  the 
tiibcs  of  the  extreme  north,  from  Greenland  to  Bhering's 
Straits. 

Charlevoix  gives  a  very  uninviting  descrijDtion  of  their 
personal  aspect.  He  tells  us  that  there  arc  none  of  the 
American  races  who  approach  so  nearly  to  the  idea  usu- 
ally entertained  in  Europe  of  "savages"  as  do  the  Esqui- 
maux. In  striking  contrast  to  the  thin  beard  (for  the 
most  part  artificially  eradicated)  of  other  American  abo- 
rigines, these  people  have  that  excrescence  ".si  rpaisse 
jut^q  ^aux  ycu'Xj  (j'/'on   a  pi- iv:  ii  decouvrir  ^quehjues  traits 


1 1 


-i:i.J 


\.NCE — 
FOOD, 


ll 


lage,  to  i  i 
of  tills  j  I 
limates    | 

over  a  i 
)on  tlie  i 
,(ls  witli  j 
lingsim-    i 

all  tlie 
Ihcriiig'iS 

lof  tlieir 
Ic  of  tlie 
Ilea  usu- 
Esqiii- 
|(for  tlie 
]an  abo- 
cpaisse 
lies  traits 


\  I 


I  j 

J! 

li 

I 

ll 


NOUTIIKUX  RACE?. 


417 


dc  kur  tvW/e."  It  covers  tlicir  faces  nearly  to  tlie  eyen;; 
so  that  one  can  scarcely  distinguish  son  o  features  of  their 
couulenance.  They  have,  moreover,  he  says,  something 
hideous  in  their  general  aspect  and  demeanor- -small,  "wild- 
looking  C3-es,  lai'gc  and  very  foul  teeth,  the  hair  generally 
black,  but  sometimes  fair,  and  always  in  extreme  disorder, 
and  their  whole  exterior  njugh  and  brutish,  '^^i'heir  man- 
ners and  character  do  not  falsify  tliis  un})reposscssing 
physi(jgnomy.  They  are  savage,  rude,  suspicious,  unquiet, 
and  always  evil-disposed  towards  strangers.  lie  considers 
their  fair  hair  and  skin,  with  the  slight  general  resemblance 
they  bear  towards,  and  the  limited  intercourse  they  carry 
on  with,  the  neighboring  natives,  as  indisputable  evidence 
of  a  separate  origin. 

Pj'ichard  says,  that  "the  description  given  by  Ci'antz  of 
the  Greenlanders,  may  well  apply  to  tlie  whole  race.  They 
are,  for  tlu?  most  part,  under  five  feet  in  stature,  "^i'liey  have 
well-shaped  and  propoi'tioned  limbs.  Their  face  is  com- 
monly broad  and  flat,  with  high  cheek-bones,  but;  round 
and  plump  cheeks;  their  ey(\s  are  little  and  black,  but  de- 
void of  sparkling  lire;  their  nose  is  not  flat,  but  small,  and 
projecting  but  little;  their  mouth  is  little;  and  I'ound,  and 
the  under  lip  somewhat  thicker  than  the  other.  They 
have  universally  coal-black,  straight,  strong  and  longhair 
on  their  lieads,  but  no  beards,  because  they  root  it  out." — 
These  last  })artieulars  will  be  seen  to  be  variant  from  the 
description  given  above  b}'  Charlevoix,  of  the  race  in 
general. — Crantz  proceeds:  "Their  hands  and  feet  arc  little 
and  soft,  but  their  head  and  the  rest  of  their  limbs  are 
large.  They  have  high  breasts  and  broad  shoulders;  their 
whole  bod}^  is  flit." 

The  descriptions  handed  down  by  the  most  ancient 
voj-agcrs  to  Greenland  of  the  Skricllings  or- natives  whom 
they  encountered,  corresponds  very  nearly  with  the  gen- 
eral outline  above  given.  They  speidv  of  them  as  a 
27 


..Ll 


r-w 


:-u^M 


,/fc. 


yi 


l?-i 


:_zz;r--^ 


418 


INJ)IAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA, 


(Iwarlisli  pcoplc—soldoin  more  tliaii.  four  feet  four  iuclic- 
in  height ;  suspicious  uud  hostile  towards  stnuigers;  sub 
sisting  upon  the  products  of  the  scii;  clothed  in  the  same 
style,  and  using  the  same  weapons,  boats  and  im])kinents, 
as  those  still  inhabiting  the  country.  The  inhosj)itablo 
nature  of  their  climate,  their  slender  resources,  and  the 
deterioration  of  tlie  race  consequent  upon  such  a  mode  of 
life  as  theirs,  seem  to  jtreclude  the  probability  of  muchi 
iui])rov'eraent  ever  taking  place  in  their  condition. 

fhe  I'lsfpiimaux  received  little  better  treatment,  at  the 
hands  of  the  early  European  discoverers,  than  did  their 
brethren  farther  south.  It  is  strange  to  read  of  the  cool- 
ness  with  which  those  adventurers  speak  of  the  enormities 
comniitlod  not  unfrequently  against  the  unoffending  and 
ignorant  natives.  The  meeting  with  several  "wild  men," 
and  Ihc  killing  one  of  them  "to  make  the  rest  tractable," 
is  mentioned  as  a  passing  and  ordinary  event. 

In  Frobisher's  c.\])edition,  after  a  skirmish  in  which 
many  of  the  Indians  were  killed,  two  prisoners  "were  taken. 
One  of  them,  an  old  woman,  was  so  disgustingly  hideous 
in  her  whole  appearance  that  suspicions  were  entertained 
lest  she  should  be  the  devil  himself;  and  the  captors  pro- 
ceeded to  pluck  oir  her  buskins,  in  order  to  satisfy  them- 
selves as  to  whether  the  cloven  hoof  was  not  concealed  by 
them.  The  other  captive,  a  young  woman,  with  a  wounded 
child  in  her  arms,  was  retained,  but  the  old  hag  was  dis- 
missed as  being  too  revolting  an  object  to  be  endured. 
AVlien  attempts  were  made  to  apply  remedies  to  the  wound 
of  the  child,  the  mother  "licked  off  with  her  tongue  the 
dressings  and  salves,  and  cured  it  in  her  own  way," 

John  Davis  was  disjiosed  to  treat  them  more  kindly 
than  most  of  his  predecessors,  but  his  indignation  was 
finally  excited  by  their  "practising  their  devilish  nature," 
and  he  allowed  his  men  to  retaliate  upon  them  in  some 
measure. 


1! 

,     I! 

sub  \  \ 
same  I  i 
icuts,  i 
it  able  i 
a  the  I 
)de  of  I 
mucli 

at  tlie 

I  tlieir  ji 

c  cool-  ! : 

rmilies  \  \ 

iig  and  ,. 

I  men,"  1 1 

ctable,"  j 

1  Avhicli 
e  taken, 
liklcous    ' 
rtained 
ors  pi'O- 
y  tliem- 
alcd  by 
,'omidcd 
was  di:^- 
bndurod. 
woniid 
lio-ue  tlic 


kindly 

on  was 

nalT-iro,' 

I  in  some 


1 1 

;  i 

:1^ 


NOUTHKllX  RACKS. 


419 


Notwitlistiindini:  tlic  ]t;id  cliaractcr  given  of  tliis  people, 
it  apprais  lliat,  atu'i"  tlicii'  lirst  suspicions  arc  allayiMl,  they 
prove  gcnilc  ami  Iractalilc  .associates;  and  are  by  no  means 
wantinu  in  mbanitv  and  kindliness.  How  readily  their 
susi)ici(jns  are  allayed,  will  ajipear  IVdUi  tlic  account  of 
Ca[)tnin  I'aek's  first  meeting  with  a  small  party  of  Msqui- 
nianx.  They  were  seen  at  a  short  distance,  gathering  in 
excited  gi-onps,  or  nnming  about  at  their  wit's-eiid  with 
astonishment  at  the  appeai'anee  oi'  these  "  Kabloonds"  or 
Earo})eans,  being  the  lirst  they  had  evei'  seen.  \Vhen  the 
English  began  to  advance  towards  them,  they  wcreatilrst 
repelled  l)y  wild  outcries,  and  gesticulations,  and  by  hos- 
tile demonstrntions  with  the  spears,  which  fbi'ined  the 
weapons  of  the  Indians.  ^V\\q,  uncouth  group  stood  in  a 
sei!ii-circle,  "yelling  out  some  unintelligible  woi'd,"  as  the 
captain  boldly  and  composedly  walked  up  to  them,  and 
made  signs  of  peace,  throwing'  up  his  hands,  as  he  observed 
them  to  do,  and  calling  out  "Timti"-  (peace),  "In  an 
instant  their  spears  were  flung  to  the  ground ;  and,  putting 
tluur  hands  on  their  breasts,  they  also  called  out  Tima, 
with  much  more,  doubtless  greatly  to  the  purpose." 

Any  attempt  to  give  a  coiuiected  history  of  the  Esqui- 
maux, from  the  time  of  their  first  intercourse  with  Eu- 
ropeans would  neeessaril}'-  resolve  itself  into  a  narrative 
of  the  various  polar  expeditions.  'J'hc  progress  of  the 
Christian  missions  upon  the  coast,  could  we  afibrd  space 
to  enter  upon  it,  might  throw  some  liglitupon  the  natural 
endowments  of  the  race;  but  we  must  content  ourselves 
M'ith  a  few  general  descriptions,  cited  indiscriminately  from 
diflercMit  authors. 

Idie  dwellings  of  the  Esquimaux  consist  either  of  move- 
able tents,  constructed  of  poles  and  skins,  in  the  style  of 
an  ordinary  Indian  wigwam,  or  of  regularly  arched  domes 
of  snow  and  ice.  The  precision,  rapidity,  and  geometrical 
accuracy  which  they  display  in  shaping  the  blocks  of  which 


'■  I 


.X 


;M 


■■r,i'.]i 


•It,: 


ill 


m 

>' ' 


,    hi- 

"  Mil! 


420 


INDIAN   i:\('KS  OF  AAIKliriW. 


these  snow  luits  are  comjMtscd,  excite  the  adini ration  of 
the  behohler.  An  art  whicli  tlie  architects  of  llie  ancient 
nations  of  J^hirope  in^ver  acquired — tlie  lurrnation  of  tlio 
arch' — has  from  time  immeniori;il  1)C(mi  in  use  auionjr  this 
untutored  race.  Tlic  snow  liouses  proN'c  as  tiijlit,  waini, 
and  comfortable  as  could  be  desired;  but  llie  habits  (jf 
the  occupants  render  them  insuifcraljly  oH'cnsive  to  the 
w]iitcs.  Crowded  with  dop's,  dedled  with  oil,  l)lubl)cr,  and 
ollal ;  and  blackened  by  smoke  and  iUth,  tliov  are  said  to 
nauseate  even  those  whose  lives  arc  passed  amid  the  im- 
purities of  a  whale-ship.  A  person  entering  one  ^)\^  tluso 
huts  is  obliged  to  creep  through  a  low  arched  passage  into 
the  principal  apartment,  which,  like  those  loading  from  it, 
presents  the  appearance  of  a  perfectly-formed  dome,  lighled 
by  a  window  of  transparent  ice  let  into  llie  roof. 

The  tents,  used  upon  the  migi-atory  expeditions  in  search 
of  game,  consist  of  skins,  su]>p(_))''  by  a  cindc  of  poles 
bent  togetiier  at  the  top,  and  ii,  n-e  weather,  thickly 
lined  within  with  rein-deer  skins.  During  the  long  dark 
night  of  winter,  when  food  is  exceedingly  scarce;  shut  uj) 
in  these  dismal  al)odes;  and  enduring  extremes  of  cold 
and  privation  elsewhere  unknown;  the  condition  of  the 
Esquimaux  seems  most  deplorable  to  one  who  has  lived  in 
the  enjoyment  of  the  comforts  of  civilization.  Far,  how- 
ever, from  com])laining  of  their  lot,  they  exhibit  a  singular 
cheerfulness  and  equanimity,  even  when  in  the  greatest 
straits.  Parry  speaks,  in  the  following  words,  of  the  mis- 
erable condition  of  a  few  Esquimaux  who  inhabited  a  hut 
in  a  deserted  village,  after  the  rest  of  the  tribe  had  moved 
westward  at  the  approach  of  spring.  "The  remaining 
tenants  of  each  hut  had  combined  to  occupy  one  of  the 
apartments;  a  great  part  of  the  bed-places  were  still  bare, 
and  the  wind  and  drift  blowing  in  through  the  holes  whicli 
they  had  not  yet  taken  the  trouble  to  stop  uj).  The  old 
man  Ilikkeiera  and  his  wife  occupied  a  hut  by  themselves, 


'I         1 


.•"I 


)n  of 

)f  tlic 
n;  this 
,vuTin, 
)its  of 
In  the 
.T,  ami 
«U(1  to 
lu'  im- 
['  llirso 
o;c  into 
Vom  it, 
Vi.iililccl 

I  serircli 
)f  poles 
tlilcklv 


iti 


g^ 


dark    j 
shut  u]) 
of  coul 
of  the 
ivcd  in 
ir,  liow- 
singnlar 
rcatest 
he  mis- 
3d  a  hut 
I  moved 
maining 
e  of  the 
ill  bare, 
s  whicli 
The  old 
luselves, 


ii 


NOUIIIKUN'   K.VCI.S. 


421 


witliout  auv  l;iMi|»,  or  a  single  niitn'c  of  tiicnt  Iiclotiging  to 
tluMu;  while  tliree  small  skins,  oti  wliicli  the  (Wriiier  was 
lying,  were  all  that  lliey  jios^essed  in  tlie  way  of  hlankt'ts. 
Upon  tli(^  whole,  i  iie\('i'  lii'lh'ld  a  more  misd'ahle  speeta- 
(!le,  and  it  seemed  a  eliarity  to  hope  that  a  violent  atid 
constant  e.ough  with  which  the  old  man  was  allheted, 
would  s[)ecdily  conihiiie  w  iih  his  age  and  indrmities  to 
release  him  from  his  present  sntl'ei'ings.  Yvt,  in  the  midst 
of  all  tins,  he  was  even  eheerful,  nor  was  tliev^  a  gloomy 
countenance  to  he  seen  at  the  village." 

'^riie  llesh  of  the  I'ein-deer,  musk-o.\,  walrus,  and  seal, 
with  lish,  wat(M'dowl,  and  occasionally  the  carcase  of  a 
sli'aiided  wluile,  forms  the  chief  nourishment  of  the  Ks- 
qnimaux.  Nothing  that  has  life  comes  amiss  to  them,  and, 
altlioii;jh  they  pi'ef'r  co(»kcd  meat  to  raw,  this  preparation 
is  hy  no  nu^ins  deemed  cssentitil.  I'lu;  only  vegetable  diet 
])i'ocni-abl(>  at  the  (>xtreme  north,  except  at  those  ])laces 
where  the  natives  can  obtain  Idreigu  articles,  consists  of 
the  leaves  of  sorrel,  ground-willow,  &c.,  with  a  few  berries 
and  roots. 

"lu  eating  their  meals,"  according  to  i*arry's  account, 
"the  misti'css  of  the  family,  having  previously  cooked  the 
meat,  takes  a  large  lump  out  of  the  pot  with  her  lingers, 
and  hands  it  to  her  husband,  who,  placing  a  part  of  it  be- 
tween his  teeth,  cuts  it  oil'  with  a  large  knife  in  that 
position,  and  then  passes  the  kiiife  and  m(\at  together  to 
his  next  neighbor.  In  cutting  off  a  mouthful  of  meat  the 
knife  passes  so  close  to  their  lips,  that  nothing  but  constant 
habit  could  insure  them  from  the  danger  of  the  most  ter- 
rible gashes;  and  it  would  make  an  English  mother 
shudder  to  see  the  manner  in  which  children  five  or  six 
years  old,  are  at  all  times  freely  trusted  w^ith  a  knife  to 
be  used  in  this  way.'' 

Afost  of  the  birds  and  quadrupeds  upon  which  they  rely 
are  migratory,  and  only  to  be  taken  between  the  months 


L-- 


>  ■  ■■ ' 


;::<.i 


).■ 


<•     iV    ,!, 

■■■'.I 


"I'-ii 


.  1 


422 


INDIAN    HACKS   OF   AMKKICA. 


\  > 


■  I 


of  May  and  OcU)Lcr.  Jii  Marcli,  A] nil  uinl  May,  tlic  <H(- 
ficult  and  dangerous  Imuting  i>\'  tlic  seal  iiiid  walrus  is  their 
Duly  resource,  ami  success  in  ilie  pursuit  their  only  lefugc 
IVoni  starvutitjii.  The  "kaiak"  or  eanite,  eonstruil<  d  of 
skins,  and  eapahle  (jl'eoiitaiiiin;j,' l>ul  a  siu^ule  pei'Soii,  is  all- 
essential  in  seal-hnnlin,'j;.  (ireat  dexterity  is  rei|uireil  in 
its  inaiia,i,feinent,  au'l  how  the  O])eralion  of  thi'ow  ini:;  llu; 
dart  or  hai])ooii,  and  of  sei.-urin;^"  the  Lulky  jirev,  can  be 
carried  on  in  salely  in  such  u  slender  and  unsteady  con- 
veyance, seems  iiKJompreliensiblo  to  the  nnpraelised  eye. 
"^riie  (j'ail  boat  is  built  with  ,Li,'reat  elegaiun!  and  lightness.  A 
frame  of  slender  beams  oC  Hi'  is  constructed,  twenty  or  twen- 
ty-five feet  in  length,  a,  lillh!  less  than  two  feet  in  bi'cadth, 
and  about  one  foot  dei'p.  This  is  entii'eh'  covered  with 
the  •<kin  of  the  neiliek,  oi'  small  seal,  so  neatly  and  strongly 
sewed  as  to  be  ])eiiectly  water-tight.  A  circular  hole  is 
then  cut  in  tlie  deck,  wherein  si1^•■  the  solitary  navigator, 
urging  the  kaiak  forward  l)y  means  of  a  }iaddle  having  a 
blade  at  eaeh  end.  JI(>,  cannot  Ibunder  so  hnig  as  he  can 
maintain  an  upright  })osition.  Au  upset  would  be  inev- 
itable destruction  to  one  unae<piainted  with  the  nature  of 
the  craft,  but  the  Ivsquimaux  readily  rights  the  kaiak  under 
such  circumstances,  by  a  dexterous  use  of  his  paddle.  A 
float  is  attached  to  the  harpoon,  used  in  striking  the  seal, 
which  prevents  him  fi-oni  escape  by  diving.  As  he  ri'a})- 
pears,  after  a  momentarj^  suTjmersion,  his  pursuers  press 
upon  and  s})eedily  dispatch  him. 

\Vhen  the  |)rey  is  brought  to  land,  the  duty  of  flaying, 
separating,  and  jji-ejiaring  it  for  preservation,  devolves 
upon  the  women.  :s^othing  is  allowed  to  be  wasted,  but 
every  portion  of  the  carcase  is  applied  to  some  useful  pur- 
pose ;  the  fastidiousness  of  the  whites,  touching  the  portions 
suitable  for  food,  being  utterly  unknown.  The  lean  meat 
of  the  seal  and  other  animals  is  preserved  in  various  wavs. 
Much  of  it  is  cut  in  thin  slices,  and  dried  in  the  warm  anj 


"h 


,  ail- 

llR'ir 

■l'ii'j;c 

a  ..r 

IS  all- 
•i'd  ill 
.j;  tlio 
UU  l)C 

y'  con- 

(1  eve. 

.^s.    A 
Uveii- 

■euiltli, 

A  ^vitU 

r(>n,u,ly 

liolc  is 

■ifXcitov, 

i\  'ui,^  a 

he  eaii 

3  inev- 

11 11  re  of 
under 

llle.  A 
le  seal, 
e  iva[)- 
s  prCvSS 

I'lying, 
bvolves 
|ed,  but, 

I'ul  I'lir- 

lovtlons 

m  uieat 

Is  wavs. 

iin  and 


NO  mi  1 1:  UN  I!  ACES. 


423 


smoky  atnios])liere  of  tlie  lints,  and  a  eoneenti'ated  artielo 
of  food,  ealled  "rcniniicun,"  is  ['irpai'ed  l>y  jionnding  it 
with  fat. 

'I'lie  UileoniC  event  of  a  WdUndrd  nv  dc;iil   wlia'"    ]'r\\\ir 

driven  on  shore,  brinj/s  down  the  vdiol(>  neighborinu'  [lop- 
ulatioii  to  share  in  the  spoih  Nothiiiu;  eonld  lie  nioi'e 
valuable  to  these  piviple  tlian  the  \;irious  substaiiei'S  ob- 
tained from  the  enormous  carcase.  'I'Im- blnblu  r  is  sepa- 
rated and  prcserviid  f>r  oil:  the  eo;u'se  ninseular  tissue 
foi'nis  to  them  a  ]>alatab]e  ai'tide  of  food;  the  sincjws  servo 
foi'  lines  and  eordiiL'e;  and  the  whah-boue  is  made  avail- 
able by  tralfic  with  l'inro|)eans. 

Of  the  rein-deei',  two  species  fni'nisli  f  )od  and  (-lothing 
to  tlie  inhabitantsuf  the  eiiM  rcj'i' >ns  (jf  northern  AmcM'iea, 
allhouuli,  sin'^'ul;n'lv  eiioiiuh,  no,  ■  of  them  jiave  snee(Hidcd 
in  domesticating  the  animal.  'I'hey  are  aeeustouKMl  to 
discard  no  ])orti(Ui  <;f  the  (lesh,  and  even  devonr  the  con- 
tents of  the  stomach.  Peiiiiips  in  no  instance  has  the 
service  of  an  animal  ju'oved  ofniorc  signal  aid  aiid  comfort 
to  any  race  than  that  of  the  dog  to  the  Esquimaux.  Tlic 
principal  use  to  which  he  is  applied  is  that  of  dnnvingtho 
Ble<lg'\  but,  upon  hunting  excursions,  in  the  sunmier,  hois 
loaded  with  a  weight,  it  is  said,  of  some  thirty  pounds. 
The  sledges  in  which  wintei"  j(>urneys  are  ])erf()rmed,  arc 
drawn  by  a  number  of  dogs  proportionate  to  the  weight  to 
be  transported,  the  distance  to  be  traversivl,  and  perhaps 
the  possessions  of  the  owner.  The  animals  arc  separately 
connected  with  the  sledge,  at  unequal  distances,  by  single 
thongs  of  leather  or  hide.  The  most  sagacious  and  well- 
trained  of  the  pack  is  placed  at  the  end  of  the  longest 
tether,  some  twenty  feet  from  the  vehicle,  to  act  as  leader, 
and  the  intelligence  and  certainty  with  which  he  obeys  the 
signal  of  connnand  fi'om  t1ie  dri\'cr  is  very  striking. 

The  whip  with  which  the  movements  of  the  team  arc 
guided,  and  with  wdiicli  the  refractory  or  stujud  are  disci 


'I  'i /■  <.U  I ^"^II 

^ 


y,  if 


■''m 


M 


d24 


INDIAN'  HACKS  OK  AMKUKA. 


71 


y,'i' 


i.: 


plincd,  consists  of  uslioil  .-^Lock  -only  ciglilti  ii  iiii:li('-.  ii. 
Icii^tll-— to  which  ;i  hisli,  luim  ciioil'Jih  to  I'rach  ihc  ii'lidillg 
do^',  is  ;ittuchr,l,  ;iii.l  allouid  In  li'ail  lusiilf  the  sl«  il;j;(;, 
Thirt  lash  is  rcinliMVil  |ilialili'  liv  a.  [H'occss  I'rsoi'h'il  to  lor 
I)r('[)ariii<^  Icallu'i'  ll;r  various  jjiirposi's,  vi/:  tiiat  ofr//.  u:,'/)>/. 
Tlu!  operation  is  prrfonin'il  hy  llic  women,  and  to  it-  con- 
stunt  exercise,  sonu'  ti'avrHri'.-i  attrihnti;  the  had  conihlion 
of  their  teetli,  bi'fore  noliccd.  Tht!  sledge  is  (-onijiosiMl  of 
two  I'unncrs,  of  wood  or  hone,-  soni(;tinies  (if  the  jaw- 
bones of  a  whale  -coiniecti'il  by  er()ss-j)i(X'es  tind  hishin,u;s. 
Mt)ss  is  packed  closely  bt'tween  these,  an<l  skins  ai'c  laid 
ujH)n  the  top.  The  I'linncis  ai'c  jn'csorvod  from  W'/ar,  and 
made  to  sHdo  easily  over  the  surface  of  tlio  snow  by  ;uat- 
inj^  lliem  with  snu)oth  ice. 

The  b]s(iuiniau.\  ]iei-form  journeys  of  sixty  miles  a  day, 
with  a  sinL:,le  pack  ol'  doL;s,  and  stoi'ies,  at  llrst  j^lanco  al- 
most incredible,  are  toM  of  the  distai;ces  accomplislu.'d,  and 
the  weights  transported  by  ])articularly  line  specimens  of 
tlie  bn^ul.  .l}('sid(>s  serving  as  a  beast  <,)f  bni'dcn  and 
draught,  the  Esquimaux  dog  is  a  bold  and  at'tive  assistant 
in  the  liunt  for  rein-deer,  boars,  kc,  but,  singularly  enough, 
while  he  will  rush  upon  an  animal  so  much  his  superior 
in  size  and  strength  as  the  bear,  he  is  tei'ror-strieken  at 
the  siglit  of  the  wolf,  to  whom  ho  l)oars  a  striking  resem- 
blance, and  with  whom  lie  would  seem  more  equally 
matched. 

Faithful  and  docile,  and  subsisting  upon  the  coarsest 
refuse,  the  dog  supplies  to  the  Esquimaux  the  })lace  of  the 
rein-deer,  in  other  high  latitudes,  for  all  laborious  service. 
lie  meets  with  nothing  but  rougli  treatment  and  scanty 
faro:  his  master  never  caresses  or  makes  much  of  him; 
but  this  does  not  prevent  him  from  forming  tlic  strong 
attachments  peculiar  to  the  race. 

No  where  do  we  fmd  a  system  of  patriai'chal  government 
maintained  in  mcu'c  primeval  simplicity  than  among  the 


1 1 


I  u. 


T! 


11'^  lit 
ii'liiig 

to  I'ol" 
r  a' I  It 'J, 

;s  foil- 
idiliou 
isi;'l  of 
(•  j:i\v- 

;ir,  iiiid 
y  juut- 


iiKLiy,    1 1 

11  IOC  III-      1 , 

All,  and  i! 

nciis  ot  i 

on   autl  ! 

ssistaut  I 

-UDllgll, 

inferior 
km  at    j  i 
I'cseni- 
?quiilly 

[.'oarsot 
of  the 

service, 
seaiity 

^f  him; 
strong 

■luncnt 


\n:s  ll 


le 


N(»KTIii;ii\  HACKS. 


42." 


Ks'iuimaux,  aii<1   no  wlicre  is  tli;it  autli"rity  moi'i'  mil'llv 


ii( 


liiiiiiisti-rcil.      I ',1'iiilii'S  aiiil 


I'olllllillllttlCS  live  t()'_'('tl|iM'  ill 


I  ! 
\ 
I  I 


tlic  irrratc^t  li;inu'«iiy,  ami  no  one  aiTo/^alcs  to  liiiiisrlf  a 
control  o\  I'!'  ilid- ;'  alMtiit  liiin  l)i_\  onil  the  eii'i'Ic  oC  liis  <i\vii 
faiiiily.  I)i'\(''i'ity  ;;ih1  .-u<t,,;s  in  lIsliin.L;' ainl  liuntiii'.;'  lonn 
uliiio.;l  til'' oiily  (*1;ii  ;i  I'll- ;  dniiiMtioii  (>i' <listin<'ti"ii  ill  tlu^ 
oyesof  llii.;  inisiijilii.-tical  d  piopli".  So  |ii'acr('iil  ;iim1  cdii- 
tcninl  ;i  lil'cj  amid  (In-  cimial  snows  ol'  the  north,  wiili 
piu'li  l\\v  iniMiis  of  comliiii  ;Mid  tMijoynioiit,  stands  (ni'ili  in 
striking'  conlrasL  witli  tli.'  privali'  dis.'oiitt'iit  and  ] 
anini<)sity  ormrirc  )iri\il(".''i'il  iKitions. 

AVfici'o  tlic  iiati\TS  of  (ireenlaiid  and  otli'-r  (^ovintriis  at 
tlit>  iioilli  1ki\o  Ih!d  fiiM*  iiiliM'courst^  with  l*]iii'opr;ins,  in- 
stallers have  IxTii   found,  anion'-'  them,  of  miu'li  luLdicr 


Hihll-', 


iiitelli '/ciiee  than   is  iLsuallv  attributed  to  t' 
tain 


ii'   lai' 


( 


11  1- 


inali'   ii; 


arry,  in  his  seeond  voya,i.';e,  ]«artirul:irly  dcserihcs  a 
iiaiiu'd   ilii^'liiik.     llrr  correct  car  foi-  music,  and 


ai)l>rceiation  of  its  ln'auties,  wcix^  very  r -marka.lile;  and 
the  int''i'cst  and  atf.'iitidti  which  all  the  ii(,>vil  mechanical 
arts  cxerciseil  on  board  the  shij)  excited  in  her  mind,  gavo 
evidence  of  no  little  capacity  for  improvement. 

"We  eanuot  fi-ivo  a  better  idea  of  the  eft'ect  which  iuter- 


;  I 

i  ' 


course  w 


ith  foreigners  has  produced 


ipon 


some  of   the 


Ksquimaux,  inclianging  their  original  cpiiet  and  unobtru- 
sive demeanor,  than  by  the  following  (piotatioii  -.rrom 
Captain  Lyon: 

I  could  not  but  ct)mpare  the  boisterous,  noisy,  fiit  fcl- 


1 


ows,  wlio  wove  a 


lontii;-side,  in  excellent  canoes,  Avith  w< 


111'. 


!  1 
i  I 

i ! 


il 
I  i 
11 


furnished,  iroii-headt'il  weapons,  and  haiithsoiae  cloth 
with  the  poor  people  we  had  seen  at  Soiithampt<ui  Island 
the  latter  with  their  spear-heads,  arrows,  and  even  k-nivc; 
of  ehi])ped   flint,  without  canoes,  wood,  or 


iron,  and  \\  lili      | 


their  tents  and  clothes  full  of  holes,  yet  of  mild  manners,  \\ 
quiet  in  s|)eech,  and  as  ^trrateful  for  hindiiess  as  they  were  M 
anxious  to  return  it,  whih-  thost)  ikjw  along-side  had,  per-      \- 


"'m 


:i 


m 


.  I  •  -  •  I 


m 


J  ' 


iim  '■ 


%  %  ]'^:^,^^fi . 


,■   •! 


•126 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


haps,  scarcely  a  viiluc  left,  owing  to  the  roguery  they  had 
learned  from  their  annual  visit  to  the  Hudson's  Bay  ships. 
An  air  of  saucy  inde])eiid('nce,  a  most  clamorous  denumd 
for  presents,  and  several  attempts  at  theft,  some  of  Avhicli 
were  successful,  were  their  leading  characteristics.  Yet  I 
saw  not  why  I  should  constitute  myself  the  censor  of  these 
poor  savages;  and  our  barter  was  accordingly  conducted 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  enrich  them  very  considerably." 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  ESQUIIMATIX  OF  MELVILLK  rKNUNSULA TIIEUl  STATURE  AND 

COSTUME — SNOW  HUTS  AND  THEIR  FURNriURE — IMPLEMENTS 
roil    HUNTING  AND  SEALING — MENTAL  TRAI-^b. 

Tjie  most  complete  picture  ever  yet  given  of  Esquimaux 
life  and  peculiarities,  is  to  be  found  in  "Parry's  Second 
A^oyagc  in  searcli  of  a  North- west  Passage;"  i^articularly 
in  that  portion  of  the  Avorlc,  at  the  end  (^f  the  narrative, 
devoted  to  an  "account  of  the  Esquimaux  of  ^Melville  Pe- 
ninsula and  the  adjoining  Islands."  It  is  our  purpose,  in 
this  chiipter,  to  give  a  brief  outline  of  the  statistics  and 
details  there  collected. 

Ptespecting  their  geneial  appearance,  Parry's  descrip- 
tion of  the  natives  does  not  vary  nuiteriallj'  from  that 
which  we  have  already'  givee.  He  represents  their  stature 
as  foUow^s:  tlie  "average  hciu-ht  of  the  men,  five  feet,  five 

O  (_!  7  7 

and  one-third  inches;  of  the  women,  five  feet  and  one-half 
inch."  Tlie  women  appear  shorter  than  this  standard, 
from  a  stoop  acquired  by  carrying  their  infants  in  a  "hood,'' 
and  from  the  great  bulk  of  their  clothing,  ^i'hey  are  not 
an  ill-formed  race,  and,  among  the  tribe,  were  "three  or 
four  gro\vn-up  peojole,  of  each  sex,  who,  when  divested  of 
their  skin  dresses,  their  tattooing,  and,  above  all,  of  their 


jy  had 

C'UKUld 

^vliicli 

Yet  I 

)f  tliesG 

iductcd 

bly." 


li 


RE  AND 
,IENTS 


pimaux 
Second 

tieularly 
irrative, 

villc  Pe- 

;'pOSG,   ill 

^ties  and 

descrip- 
toin  that 
I r  stature 
feet,  live 
lone-half 
Itandai'd. 
"hood,'' 
are  not 
three  or 
icsted  of 
of  their 


:.J 


NORTHERN  RACES. 


427 


dirt,  might  have  been  considered  pleasing-lookit.g,  if  not 
handoui no  pco})lc,  in  any  town  in  I'hirope." 

Tluy  Avear  their  hair  generally  long;  the  men  allow- 
ing it  to  flow  earele^ssly,  while  the  women  dispose,  it  in 
two  }ilait.s  or  cpies,  whicli  hang  down  on  each  side  of 
the  face. 

Their  dress  bears  marks  of  no  little  skill  and  nicety  of 
finish,  and  is  admirably  calculated  to  defend  them  iVom 
the  tei'rible  severity  of  the  winter-season.  A  double  uutlit 
of  jackets,  breeches,  and  boots,  made  of  deer  and  stnil- 
skins;  the  inner  suit  having  the  hair  turned  inward,  wliile 
the  outer  garment  exhibits  a  hairy  defence  against  the 
snow  or  rain,  is  essential  u]ion  all  occasions  of  exposure 
to  the  open  aii'.  AVat(n'-pnx)f  boots  and  shoes,  made  of 
seal-skin,  loi-m  a  complete  protection  from  the  Avet  when 
the  men  are  engau;cd  in  fishing  and  sealing.  A  warm 
and  comfortable  hood  of  fnrs  covers  the  head  ami  neck, 
and  surrounds  the  face.  The  most  absurd  and  ungainly 
portion  of  tlie  dress  of  either  sex  is  the  boot  worn  l)y  ihc 
women.  This  is  enormously  enlarged,  for  the  jturpose  of 
furnishing  a  convenient  pocket  or  general  receptacle  for 
whatever  may  be  carried  upon  the  person.  The  cavity  is 
even  larti;e  cnou2;h  to  admit  of  a  child  being  stowed  in  it — 
a  common  custom  in  Labrador. 

All  their  clothing  is  strongly  and  neatly  stitched,  and 
no  little  pains  is  taken  to  render  it  ornamental  by  a  judi- 
cious arrangement  of  liii-ht  and  dark  furs. 

The  true  Indian  taste  for  beads  and  showy  ornaments 
ju'evails,  and  is  satisfied,  when  other  materials  are  want- 
mtx,  by  affixing  numberless  strinffs  of  the  teeth  of  wild 

0  7  ,/  O  *^ 

animals  to  the  borders  of  their  garments.  In  oik^  instance, 
"a  row  of  foxes'  noses"  was  seen  "attached  to  the  f  )re- 
part  of  a  woman's  jacket  like  a  tier  of  black  buttons.'' 

All  the  women  of  this  tribe  wer(>  thoroughly  tattooed. 
The  manner  of  perf  )rming  this  operation  was  by  passing 


l! 


ii 


I     K'l 

1 


~  •■•■-', 


m 


-''-•y 


■n::^ 


m  t''" 


:|. 


r; 


428 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMElilCA. 


!  I 


a  needle  and  thread  through  tlie  outer  skin,  the  thread 
being  saturated  with  oil  and  lamp-black. 


I  I 


1 1 

1 1 


The  internal  arrangements  of  the  circular  snow-huts  in 
which  tlic  winter  is  j^asscd,  arc  as  follows:  Around  each 
room,  next  the  wall,  a  bank  of  snow  is  built  to  the  height 
of  two  or  three  feet,  U|ion  which  are  placed,  first  a  coating 
of  ])ebblL  ',  the,u  a  row  of  tent-poles,  paddles,  and  whale- 
bone, and  above  all  a  layer  of  birch  twigs.  Upon  these 
are  spi'cad  the  skins  and  furs  which  constitute  the  bedding 
of  the  inmates.  It  is  evident  tliat  quite  a  low  temperature 
must  be  maintained  in  order  to  preserve  both  house  and 
furniture.  The  only  means  of  warming  the  huts  is  by  a 
sort  of  lam]>,  consisting  of  a  .-hallow  dish  wrought  of  stone 
{kq^i-s  olluris),  "its  Corjii  being  the  le.-:ser  segment  of  a  cir- 
cle. The  Avick,  consisting  of  dry  moss  rubbed  between 
the  hands  till  it  is  cpiite  inflannnable,  is  disposed  along 
the  edge  of  the  lamp  on  tlie  straight  side,  and  a  greater 
or  smaller  quantity  lighted  aecoixling  to  the  lioat  required 
or  the  fuel  that  can  be  afforded."  The  flame  is  fed  by 
the  drippings  of  a  slice  of  fat  or  blubber,  suspended  with- 
in reacli  of  the  bhize.  The  stone  pots  for  cooking  are 
hung  over  tliis  lamp,  and,  above  all,  is  a  net,  stretched 
upon  a  hoop,  whereon  wet  boots  and  other  garments  are 
placed  to  dry. 

Tlie  general  atmosphere  of  the  apartment  is  kept  a  lit- 
tle below  the  freezl^.g  point.  Parry  observed  the  tlier- 
momotcr,  at  a  time  Avhcn  it  fell  to  twenty-five  degrees 
below  zero  in  the  open  air,  to  stand  at  thirty-two  degrees 
Avithin  a  few  feet  of  the  fire;  and  this  when  the  hut  was 
filled  witli  Indians  and  dou's.  'io  increase  the  wai'mth, 
occasions  a  troublesome  dri})[)ing  from  the  roof,  an  incon- 
venience to  which  the  inhabitants  are  obli^-ed  to  submit 


thread 


!i 


•huts  in 
id  each 
)  height 
coating 
I  Aviuile- 
)ii  these    1 
hcdJing    ' 
peniture 
•use  and 
s  is  by  a 
of  ^toiie 
of  a  cir- 
I  between 
d  along 
greater 
re(|uired 
fed  by 
jd  with- 
:iiig  are 
Iretchcd 
leuls  are 


ep'L  a  lit- 
he tlier- 
degrees 
degrees 
hut  was 
warmth, 
111  iiieou- 
subinit 


NOKTIIERX    RACES. 


429 


during  some  of  tlie  s})ring  rnonllis,  beH^rc  tlie  season  has 
become  mild  enough  for  dwelling  in  tents. 

The  principal  household  utensils  are  the  lamps  and  pots 
above  mentioned,  certain  eu})s  of  the  horn  of  the  musk- 
ox,  vessels  of  whalebone,  and  the  ivory  or  iron  knife. 
The  latter,  or  at  least  the  material  of  which  it  is  composed, 
is  obtained  by  connneree  with  the  wliites.  They  manu- 
fu'ture  themselves  a  knife,  havimi;  a  thin  iron  edge  let 
into  tlie  bone  Avhieli  forms  the  Idade.  To  a  linuted  extent 
some  of  the  Esquimaux  obtain  and  jnanufacturc  iron  from 
the  iron  pyrites  found  in  certain  localities,  and  which 
sei'ves  them  for  flint  and  steel  in  lighting  fires. 

The  implements  for  huriting,  in  use  among  these  Kscpii- 
maux,  arc  simple  bnt  elYei'tive.  '^I'he  " Kiiitko,"  which  serves 
the  purpose  of  a  harpoon  in  taking  seals,  walruses,  and 
even  whales,  is  a  particularly  ingenious  contrivance.  It 
consists  of  a  short  piece  of  bone,  p<)intcd  with  iron,  and 
attached  bv  the  centi'c  to  the  "allek,"  or  Ion";  thont]:  of 
leather,  'idie  blunt  end  of  the  siatko  is  fitted  to  the  end 
of  the  dart,  and  is  attached  by  a  line,  that  it  can  be  dis- 
engaged the  instant  the  dart  strikes  the  })r(;y.  From  the 
manr^er  in  v/hieh  it  is  slung,  it  instantly  turns  at  right 
angles  to  the  direction  of  its  entrance,  and  w^ill  endure  a 
very  severe  strain  before  it  can  be  drawn  out.  At  the 
other  end  of  the  "allek"  is  tied  an  inflated  seal-skin,  which 
serves  to  bring  the  animal  quickly  to  the  surface  of  the 
water. 

For  their  bows,  they  are  obliged  to  use  the  wood  of  the 
fir-tree,  and,  in  order  to  give  them  the  requisite  strength 
and  elasticity,  they  are  vory  artfully  and  neatly  served 
with  lines  constructed  of  sinews.  At  each  end  of  the 
bow,  is  a  knob  of  bone,  and  to  these  the  strengthening 
lines  are  attached  and  drawn  tight,  while  the  bow  is  bent 
backward.  They  pass  from  end  to  end,  on  the  back  of 
the  bow,  and  are  secunnl  and  jussisted  by  other  shorter  eonk-i 


1 1 


iL: 


f 
p 


t     Ik 
4,  iV 


hi 


i 


430 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


i  I 


'.(.«! 

^h 


4' 


fi! 


*l 


f  ; 


fastened  hy  liitclies  round  the  wood.  The  al)OVC  descrip 
tiou  applies  to  tlic  best  weapons  of  the  sort. — "A  bow  in 
one  piece,"  says  the  narrative,  "is  very  rare:  they  g'en- 
erally  consist  of  from  two  to  five  pieces  of  bone,  of  une- 
qual lengths,  secured  together  by  rivets  and  tree-nails." 
'^^I'he  arrows  arc  of  wood  and  bone  united,  and  have  heads 
of  iron  or  slate.  They  will  inflict  a  mortal  wound  at  a 
distance  of  forty  or  lidy  yards. 

Tn  the  construction  of  all  these  implements,  a  knife  and 
a  di'ill  arc  the  principal  tools  used.  The  latter  ojjcrates 
with  a  bow,  like  that  in  common  use  among  us. 

It  is  evident  that  intellectual  advancement  is  entirely 
incompatible  with  such  a  life  as  wo  have  described.  The 
ideas  of  the  Supernatural  entertained  by  the  Esquimaux 
are  vague  in  the  extreme.  "  They  do  not  appear,"  s;iys 
the  description  in  Parry,  "to  have  any  idea  of  the  exist- 
ence of  One  Supreme  Being,  nor,  indeed,  can  tliey  be  said 
to  entertain  any  notions  on  this  subject  which  may  be  dig- 
nified with  the  name  of  lieligion." 

Of  certain  games,  consisting  mostly  in  flmtastic  distor- 
tions of  the  body,  and  comical  ejaculations,  they  are  never 
weary;  and  a  strai^ije  moijOtonous  song,  of  which  the 
words  and  music  are  given  by  Parry,  furnishes  amusement 
until  the  performers  desist  from  sheer  weariness. 

Their  moral  character  is  probably  upon  a  par  with  that 
of  most  savages.  They  do  not  possess  the  high,  indomita- 
ble spirit,  the  scoi'n  of  suffering,  the  clannish  fury  of  jta- 
triotism,  nor  the  fondness  for  war,  so  commonly  considered 
the  nobler  traits  of  the  American  aborigines;  but,  on  the 
other  liand,  they  are  more  kindly  domestic  in  their  feel- 
ings, and  less  cruel  and  revengeful  than  their  brethren  at 
the  South. 

They  exhibit  little  gratitude  for  favors,  and  when  ex- 
posed to  the  strong  tcmjotation  presented  them  by  the  pres- 
ence of  such  a  magazine  of  treasure  as  a  foreign  ship,  thoy 


n 


Ki 


"tt\ 


NORTH EKX   RACKS. 


431 


will  generally  indiil-jfe  in  pilGM-iiig.  Those  travellers  who 
have  been  most  familiar  with  tlie  strange  raee,  aeeordtothem 
many  ])leasing  qualities;  while  their  viee;^  arc  sueli  as  must 
naturally  r(>sult  from  their  destitute  and  hopeless  condition. 
Their  whole  history  might  prove  unspeakably  valuable  to 
us  did  wc  wisely  gather  from  it  a  lesson  of  content. 


CHAPTER  III. 


Tine  KXISTKNHAUX.   CHIPPKWAS,  ETC. 


savs 


ig- 


th  that 
omita- 
of  pa- 
ndered 
on  the 
ir  feel- 
ireu  at 


:  I 


I! 


li 


TfTK  Knistencaux,  or  Crees,  arc  a  nation  materially 
different  from  the  Esf[uiMiau\'.  Tluy  have  a  much  nearer 
resemblance  than  that  })eo}>lc  to  tlie  other  North  Ameri- 
can ti'ibes,  and,  from  close  analogies  in  language,  are  con- 
sidered as  a  liranch  of  the  great  Algonquin  stock,  wdiich, 
centering  in  the  Canadas,  spread  over  such  an  extent  of 
the  North  American  continent. 

'^l^he  country  formcrl}-  occupied  by  the  Knistencaux — for 
the  ravages  of  the  small-pox  have  in  late  years  miserably 
reduced  their  numbers — is  of  vast  extent;  lying  between 
the  United  States  and  the  Esquimaux  region,  and  extend- 
ing westward  to  the  Iioeky  ^Mountains.  The  line  of  their 
occupation  is  thus  given  l)y  ^vlackenzie:  Commencing  with 
the  coast  of  Labrador,  it  extends  ;dong  the  north  bank  of 
the  St.  Lawrence,  to  Montreal.  "The  line  then  follows 
the  Utawas  river  to  its  source;  and  continues  from  thence 
nearly  west  along  the  high  lands  which  divide  the  waters 
that  iall  into  Lake  Superior  and  Hudson's  Bay.  It  then 
proceeds  till  it  strikes  the  middle  part  of  the  river  Wini- 
pic,  following  that  water  through  the  Lake  AVinipic,  to 
the  discharge  of  the  Saskatchawan  into  it;  fi'om  thence  it 
accompanies  the  latter  to  Fort  George,  when  the  lino  strik- 


fc.  :..'■.;  ■1 


■.M 


L';. 


'tiJJ 


m 


a 


>^>^ 


Mi 


i.f,*l 


!  I 


432 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


ing  by  tlic  head  uf  tlic  Ijoaver  lllvcr,  to  tlic  l^lk  llivcr, 
runs  along  its  banks  to  its  (b'scliargc;  in  the  Lake  of  the 
Hills;  from  whieh  it  may  be  eari'ied  back  east  to  ihe  Isle 
a  la  Crosse,  .'ind  so  on  to  Churchill  by  the  Mississippi, 
'^^riie  udiole  of  Ihe  ti'act  between  tliis  line  and  Hudson's 
Bay  and  Straits,  (except  that  of  the  ]"'squimaux  in  the 
latter,)  may  be  said  to  be  exclusively  the  country  of  the 
Knisteneaux."  ''J'hey  Averc  also  to  be  found  ui)on  lied 
]\iver,  (whieh,  after  uniting  with  the  7\ssinaboin,  empties 
into  Jjiiko  Wini})eg,)  and  upon  the  south  branch  of  the 
yaskatchawan. 

These  })eoplc  possess  all  the  ordinary  charactei-istics  of 
the  American  Indian;  the  copper  complexion,  black  flow- 
ing hair,  Avell-pro}iortioned  limbs,  and  keen  black  eyes. 
l'i'a\-ellers  speak  of  the  women  as  being  far  more  attractive 
i  n  I  )ersonal  appearance  than  the  general  i  ty  of  squaws.  Upon 
them  devolves  all  the  drudgerv  of  domestic  life,  wdiile  the 
men  devote  their  exclusive  attention  to  hunting  or  Avar. 

AVe  notice  no  A^ery  material  variation,  except  so  far  as 
climate  and  the  nature  of  their  country  have  affected 
their  habits,  betAveen  the  dress,  habitations,  luxuries,  cere- 
monies, and  general  usages  of  the  Knisteneaux,  ;nid  the 
great  body  of  our  Avestern  Indians.  They  are  spoken  of  as 
of  a  friendly  and  hospitable  disposition,  and  no  more  dis- 
honest in  their  dealings  than  other  savages,  althouG'h  some 
have  given  them  the  reputation  of  being  arrant  thieves. 

Little  of  distinctive  character  attaches  to  the  various 
minor  tribes  of  the  north,  until  Ave  reach  the  Esquimaux, 
with  Avhora  little  or  no  commerce  is  held  by  these  nations, 
and  Avith  Avhom,  from  time  immemorial,  they  haA'c  Avaged  a, 
desultory  warfare.  Mackenzie  describes  individuals  and  vil- 
lages of  the  Ecd-Knives,  Beavers  Indians,  Dog-l>ibs,  Hares, 
Slaves,  Duguthee  Dines  (quarrellers),  and  many  others; 
i;)ut  they  have  no  history,  and  fcAV  noticeabk  ^)eculiarities. 

Those  farthest  north  are  of  rather  a  lighter  complex- 


■T\ 


1 1 
1 1 


1 1 


i  I 


ii 


i; 


t 

i 

Him' 


71 


[liver,     ,  I 
af  the    I ; 
10  Tslc    I 
^sippi.     1 
dson's 
in  tlic 
of  the    I 
u  lied    i 
■rnpties 

of  the 

11 

!  I 

sties  of  I  i 

k  now-  jl 

k  eves,  i '' 

traetive  j ' 

liile  the    ; ' 
p  war.         j 
far  as    : 
ffcctcd    i 

cere- 
nid  the 
11  of  as 
lore  dis- 
\\  some 
eves, 
various 
limaux, 
nations, 


:o 


1  : 
!  I 


AN 


au'od  a  i 

andvil-  ', 

■;,  Ilarcs,  i 

•  others;  1 

hriritics.  - 
otnplex- 


i  1 


m 


•4» 


/  A-  Ij  1 .1  .y  $     ly _.j  ■/•  c  H  ixa     FO  H 


SjJ  t.MU.Y 


.'>  *■ 


%]kt,'- 


.jjf-,^*^-^;*,-  .^ 


^r«ft^P  "*' 


y^t;;,:^^%. 


mt.  .  . 


E'W 


3 

m^ 

^ 

\ 

"^^1. 

I.  M  U  .V 


NtiUl  IIKUN   ItAt'KS. 


ion  tliaii  llic  iiiliaMtauts  m|'  nioi'c  triii]i('i';iti'  rlinics.  ami  cx- 
liibit  the  (Iftci'iiM'aiiii;/  iiilliK'iii'i'  ol'  a  liH'  in  a  cold  ;ii:il 
desolate  counti'v. 

Soiiic  iiitei'cstiiiL:' di'lails  ol'  llic  Iialiits  and  eliarartcf  of 
the  I)t»,L;dlilis,  are  i:iv('ii  in  the  aceuimt  of  Sir  .lohii  K'ii'h- 
ardson's  Ardie  Scarrhin^:'  lv\]icditiiMi.  They  aic  ralhrr  a 
low  Di'drr  ol'  the  race,  and  have  held  sndificnt  intfrcunr^j.' 
Avith  the  \\  hitrs  to  In'  awarr  el'  ihcir  own  dcHiMfncics  and 


Avant.- 


lii'V  arc   nc\crtli( 


chccrlnl.  ami  cNcn    liilari- 


ous,  and  exhiliit  little  oi'  none  ol'  that  jtrond   ;ind   stoic;d 
s[)irit  which  marks  the  more  celebrated   Indian  nations. 


They 


are  u'rosslv  innn'oviucn 


peated  and  tcri'ihle  eN[ici'icnc('  ( 

AVhen  game,  is 

tion  is  })resentcd,  to  1 


t,  although  waiMicd   hy  n 
-f   liuniiie  and  sulVeriiiL 


ntv,  a  seene  o(  <reiieral  waste  an( 


1  rei'h 


;  I 


ic  I'oUowctl  by  the  utmost  iuiscr\'  and 
want.      In  a  eountry  where  the  animals  upon  which   tiic. 
iitivcs  depend  lor  siibsisteiK^'O  are  migratoiw  and  uncertain 


n 


m  their  habits,  su 
qucut  occurrence. 


■h  el 


laliLi'eS  o 


f  condition   must  he  of  ire- 


tl 


When  accounts  are  LrcjU'jht  of  success  on  tla^  jiart  of 


le  n 


nntmg  partu 


tl 


le  Whole 


pop 


ulat 


ion  ol 


a  village  put 


themselves  at  once  en.  roiiO\  to  share  the  spoil.  If  the  deer 
should  have  shifted  tlieir  quarters  before  the  arri\al  of  the 
troupe,  and  the  place  of  rendezvous  bo  far  from  home,  the 
return  is  acconi})anied  Avitli  the  greatest  danger  and  dis- 
tress, ^fany  of  the  aged  and  iiilirm  are  frcpu  ally  left  to 
perish  under  such  circumstances. 

Of  several  families  of  this  nation,  with  whom  ^faekeii- 
zie  lield  some  intercourse,  he  says:  "They  are  a  meagre, 
ugly,  ill-made  peoi)le,  particularly  about  the  legs,  wdiieli 
are  very  clumsy,  and  covered  with  sc;ibs.  '^Fhe  hitti^r  cir- 
cumstance proceeds,  probably,  from  their  habitually  roast- 
ing them  before  the  fire.  Many  ()f  them  appeared  to  be 
in  a  very  unhealthy  state,  which  is  owing,  as  [  imagine,  to 
their  natural  iUthincss." 
28 


1 1 


1 1 


1 1 


I 


m:' 


i    •  ■   .'    "^ 


lii 


■•Ml 

I' j 


>:^"''|:^;. 


'   )-. 


'  I 


431 


INDIAN  RACKS  OF  AMKHICA. 


Tho  Cliippowas  ure  sj)rea(I  over  u  vast  icuion  al  the 
iionh,  llic  limits  of  which  it  wnuM,  [(cihaps,  hi-  iniiiossi- 
1)K',  acciii'utuly  to  (Icliiic.  Mackcii/ic,  wiitiii'  ...it  tin; 
year  171)0,  lays  down   the  tract  occupictl  .ilu'sulio 

speak  substantially  the  samo  langiia.i^v,  as  I'oIIdws:  "It 
begins  at  (Jhurchill,  and  runs  ahjng  tlu;  linrs  of  sfparaliMU 
between  them  and  the  Kiiistencaux,  up  the  Mississijipi,  to 
the  isle  Ji  la  Crosst",  ])assing  ou  through  the  UulUilo  Lake, 
lliver  J^ake,  and  I'ortago  lu  Loche:  IVoui  thtmec!  it  pi'o- 
cei'ds  by  tho  Elk  HiveJ',  to  the  Lake  of  tho  Hills,  and  goes 
(lireetly  west  t(^  the  Peaee  lliver;  and  up  tliat  rivei'  to  its 
source  ami  tribiitai'v  walci's;  from  whence  it  i)roceeds  to 
the  watei's  of  the  RivcM'  Cohnnbia;  and  follows  that  riser 
to  latitude  lifty-two  di'groes  twenty-four  minutes,  uortli, 
and  longitude  one  humlred  and  twenty-two  degrees  iil'ty- 
loui-  minutes  west,  where  the  Chcpowyans  luivo  tlic  Atnah 
or  Chin  nation  for  their  neighbours.  It  then  takes  a  due 
lino  west  to  the  sea-coast." 

The  coast  Indians,  on  the  Pacilic,  dilTer  from  those  of 
whom  wo  arc  now  treating.  In  the  vicinity  of  IJhering's 
Straits,  they  ai'o  Esquimaux,  but  as  we  proceed  southward, 
we  fuid  distinct  and  separate  races. 

The  Chippewas,  according  to  tho  writer  above-quoted, 
are  a  quiet  jxvaccable  race,  of  a  timoious  disposition  and 
wandei'ing  habits.  'J'hey  take  groat  pains  to  prepare  their 
dross  so  as  to  resist  tho  extreme  cold,  and  so  well  arc  they 
protected  in  this  respect,  that  when  arrayed  in  the  warm 
furs  and  skins  which  form  the  winter  attire,  one  of  the 
tribe  "will  lay  himself  down  on  tho  ice  in  tho  middle!  of  a 
lake,  and  repose  in  comfort;  though  he  will  sometimes  find  a 
difliculty  in  tho  morningtodisencumber  himself  of  the  sm  >\v 
drifted  on  him  during  tho  night."  Tho  women  are  not  ])ad- 
looking,  but  tho  hard  service  of  drawing  loaded  sledges,  and 
the  continued  necessity  of  wearing  the  bulky  and  ponderous 
snow-shoe,  give  tlu)m  a  shuflhng  and  awkward  gait. 


i 


■1  i-    "  ■ 


.1 


ill  tne 

ll|>()SSl* 
„lt      tlu! 

ics  W  lio 
v^;:   "It 

^ilil'i,  to 
()  L:ik*', 
il  I 'ro- 
ll 1(1  goes 

VV  lu   \\A 

jcetls  to 
lilt  v'wrv 
~,  uurlli, 
,;cs  lil'lv- 
ic  Atiuili 
:cs  a  duo 

tlio.'^c  of 

ilirriiig'^ 
|iUU\v;i.r<l, 

•quoted, 
lliou  and 
lai'o  tlieir 

arctliey 
'ic  warm 
lie  ol'  tlic 
iddlc,  of  a 

IKS  (liid  a 

|t,ln'Stli>\V 

not  l>ad- 
llu-e:^,  and 
jnderous 
hit. 


NOItTIIEIiX  RACKS. 


j:j5 


Groat  in;:fonuitv  ami  A\\]  an-  displnvcd  by  \]\r  riiip],,'- 
Was,  jiarticularly  liy  those  dwclliiig  upon  llu'  !ir;Ml-\v;iti'i';4 
of  flic  \lis-issip|>i,  ill  tlic  CKiistnictiou  of  ilnir  Imvli-Iiafl^ 
caiioi's.  I'roliatily  in  no  otlicr  part  nC  iIk;  world  arc  l.i.at.s 
to  l)u  loniid  so  li^-lit  mill  portaldc,  and  yet  capaMc  nf  cur- 
rying an  c(pial  l)iir<lcii.  'riM>y  are  eoinnionly  nia<l"  cf  a 
single  mil  of  the  hark,  iicnily  and  strongly  scwcd,  and  so 
sliapcil,  ly  tlic  adaptaliuii  oC  livlit  tliwarts  (M' braces,  as  to 
lie  Ix.tii  graceful  and  suil't.  it:,  HMpiircs,  however,  no  nlili- 
adroitness  ti>  manage  one  of  these  light  ej'afls,  as  the  weight 
of  the  ea'ioc  is  so  trilling  as  to  aid  very  litih?  in  the  jirc 
servati(jn  of  cipiilihrinm.  Sketches  of  Chipjunva  canoes 
arc  given  by  Mr.  Catlin,  and  contrasted  with  the  awkwaid 
tubs  of  tla;  ^^and^TlS. 

Maek(ai/io  says  that  these  people  are  not  like  llio  Knis- 
toneaux  and  most  other  North  American  Indians,  nverved 
and  distant  in  their  communications  with  strange-  -,  or  with 
each  other  after  a  long  separation;  and  that  th'  y  do  not 
exhibit  those  extremes  of  alternate  energy  and  indolence 
so  noticeable  in  other  races. 

In  such  a  country  as  they  inhal)it  their  food  ninsl,  of 
course,  be  almost  entirely  animal.  They  arc  nuire  skilled 
in  fishing,  and  in  snaring  deer,  beaver,  &c.,  than  in  the 
more  active  methods  of  securing  game,  jjike  the  ICscpii. 
maux,  although  they  pi'ofer  tlieir  meat  cooked,  tlh,y  can 
well  make  a  shift  to  eat  it  Avithout  any  preparation,  when 
unable  to  procure  fuel.  On  their  journics,  they  arc  sup- 
ported  by  the  nutritious  and  portable  i)reparation  called 
pemmican,  wliich  we  have  before  mentioned  as  in  use 
among  the  Esquimaux.  Tt  is  made  in  the  following  man- 
ner: Thin  slices  of  lean  meat  arc  dried  over  a  lire,  or  by 
alternate  exposure  to  sun  and  frost,  and  then  ])oi!!i,lr'<l 
between  stones.  A  quantity  of  boiling  fat,  equal  to  liic 
mass  of  meat,  is  then  poured  upon  it,  and  th(>  whole  is 
closely  packed  in  bags  or  baskets.     No  salt  or  olliej-  eijii- 


1 1 


I 


V*.  (u 

'•  i-V,. 


;:;i 


mm 


,i! 


hv/ 


t 


I  V,  <^'.  .  V     .n 


J,  n 


'^M 


VARIOUS  NATIONS  AND  TKinKS 

U  KT  W  ]•;  K  N  T  II  !•:  M  I  SS  F  SS  [  P  I'  I  AN  H  T  II  I!  IM  ('  I  I'  I  C  0  ('  V,  A  N. 


CIIAI'TKU   I. 

TMK    SIOUX.  OK    DAHCOTAS,  ANIi    OIIIKI!    TIMIIKS   OK  THK    SAMR 

ka("k:  rr.ASSii'icATioN — tiik  mandans:  tiikiii  nkmiskk, 

SITUATION,  VILIiAGICS,  KTC. TIIKIll  CKMIVrKIlIKS — 

AI'I'KCTIONATF.    HR MIOl  lUf  ANrK    OK  TIIK    IiKAD. 

An  ficciimtc  dassiruiation  of  \]h\  Aincriciin  Iiiiiiaiis, 
t'itlicr  foundod  upon  dissiniilaritica  in  the  langua.i^o  of  dif- 
fcrciit  trilx's,  or  upon  dilTiircncos  in  physical  poeiiliaritioa, 
is  impossible,  particuhirly  in  troatin;^^  of  tlic  scattered  and 
waml*  riiijj^  people  of  tin;  far  west,  '^riic  races  vary  hy 
such  sli,^•ht  shades  of  distinction,  and  snch  analo'^ies  exist 
l)ct\vc(Mi  their  langna,<j^es,  tliat  v.xqu  where  tlui  distinction 
is  perfectly  evid(Mit  in  the  nation  at  larire,  the  line  of  de- 
marcation can  with  dinicnlty  he  drawn.  In  other  instances, 
the  same  nation,  when  divided  into  separate  clans,  inhahil- 
ing  districts  of  dissimilar  nature,  and  resorting  to  (liflerent 
modes  of  life,  will  be  fonnd,  in  tli(>  eonrse  of  one:  or  tw'> 
generations,  to  present  the  appearance  of  distinct  races. 

IVrhaps  it  would  be  wiser  to  accept  the  popular  divisions, 
whether  derived  directly  from  the  natives,  or  establishei] 
by  those  most  familiar  with  them,  than  to  attempt  any 
refined  distinctions.  Tn  an  essay  v.pon  natural  history, 
or  in  researches  into  historical  antirjuitics,  a  particularily 
might  be  ns(Tnl  or  necessary,  which  in  an  outline  of  his- 
tory and  descri)>tion  would  be  but  jievplexing  and  It'^ious. 


m 


'■.t'r-s 

'   ''    :' 


m 


:  "■'■>i& 


■~^ 


>i  ft  ■■} 


4:00 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


A  vast  wilderness  at  tlie  west,  upon  the  Missouri  and  tlie 
upper  western  tributaries  of  the  Mississippi,  is  inluibited 
by  the  various  tribes  allied  to  the  Sioux  or  Daheotah.  One 
of  the  earliest  accounts  given  of  these  people,  then  known 
as  the  Naudowessies,  is  to  be  found  in  the  travels  of  (.\ip- 
tain  Jonathan  Carver,  who  spent  the  winter  of  17(!0-7 
among  them.  Of  later  observations  and  descriptions,  by 
far  the  most  interesting  and  complete  are  contained  in  the 
])ublished  letters  of  Mr.  George  Catlin,  accompanied  as  tliey 
are  by  spirited  and  artistic  portraits  and  sketches  of  scenery. 

Those  of  this  race  known  as  the  proper  Sioux,  soi  disant 
Daheotas,  arc  mostly  established  upon  the  river  of  St.  I'etor 
and  in  the  country  adjacent.  Some  of  the  eastern  ti'ibes 
are  mere  or  less  agricultural,  but  the  others  are  wild  hunt- 
ers like  their  brethi'en  of  the  far  west.  The  Sioux  were 
divided,  a  century  since,  into  the  following  eight  tribes :  the 
Wawpcentowas,  the  Tiutons,  the  Afracootans,  the  Maw- 
haws  (Omawhas),  and  the  Schians,  all  of  whom  dwelt  in 
the  priaric^  country,  upon  the  St.  Peter,  and  three  other 
clans  of  the  then  unexplored  region  to  the  westward.  The 
Assinaboins  ancientlv  belonged  to  the  same  stock. 

I'y  Mr.  Gallatin  the  race  is  divided  as  follows:  "1,  The 
AVinuebagos,  of  Wisconsin;  2,  The  Sioux  proper,  or  Dah- 
eotas, and  the  Assinaboins;  o.  The  Minetari  and  tribes 
allied  to  them;  4,  Tlie  Osages,  and  other  kindred  tribes," 
firtlier  south. — {PntcluinVs  jVatural  llidoi'ij  of  Man).  TJie 
Minefari  are  held  to  include  the  Crows  and  the  Mandans. 

To  a  descrij)tion  of  this  last  people,  n(.)w,  as  a  separate 
race,  entirely  extinct,  Air.  C;itlin  has  devoted  no  small 
portion  of  his  interesting  descriptions  of  western  adventAire. 
They  differed  widely  from  all  other  American  Indians  in 
several  particulars.  The  most  noticeable  of  these  wei'c  the 
greo.t  diversit}^  in  complexion  and  in  the  color  and  texture 
of  the  hair.  When  visited  by  tliis  traveller,  in  18,'>2,  the 
Alandans  were  established  at  two  villages,  only  two  miles 


I  ; 


I  ! 


I  ; 


ll 


TRIBF<;S  WEST  OF  THE  MIS^^ISSIPl'I. 


439 


asunder,  upon  tlic  left  Lank  of  the  Missoui'i,  about  two 
hundred  miles  below  tlie  mouth  of  the  Yellowstone, 

There  were  then  not  far  from  two  thousand  of  tlie  tribe, 
but,  from  their  own  tradition;",  and  from  the  extensive 
ruins  of  their  fonner  settlement — some  distance  below — it 
was  evident  that  their  numbei's  had  greatly  decreased, 
'^riie  principal  town  was  strongly  fortified  upon  the  pre- 
cipitous river  baidc,  on  two  sides  defended  by  the  winding 
stream,  and  on  the  other  by  pi(pieting  of  heavy  timber, 
and  In'  a  ditch.  The  houses  within  were  so  closely  set  as 
to  allow  of  little  space  for  locomotion.  They  were  par- 
tially sunk  in  the  ground,  and  the  roofs  were  covered 
with  eartli  and  clay  to  such  a  depth  and  of  such  consis- 
tency that  they  allbrdcd  tlie  favorite  lonnging  places  for 
the  occupants. 

'•One  is  surprised,"  says  Catlin,  'S\hon  he  enters  them, 
to  see  the  neatness,  comfort,  Jind  spacious  dimensions  of 
these  earth-covered  dwellings.  They  all  have  a  circular 
form,  and  are  from  forty  to  sixty  feet  in  diameter.  Their 
foundations  arc  prepared  by  digging  some  two  feet  in  the 
ground,  an<l  forming  the  floor  of  earth,  by  levelling  the 
requisite  size  for  the  lodge."  The  building  consisted  of  ,a 
row  of  perpendicular  stakes  or  timbers,  six  feet  or  there- 
about in  height,  supporting  long  rafters  for  the  roof.  A 
hole  was  left  in  the  center  for  air,  light,  and  the  escape  of 
smoke.  The  rafters  were  supportt^d  in  the  middle  by 
beams  and  posts:  over  them  was  laid  a  thick  coating  of 
willow  brush,  and  over  all  the  covering  of  earth  and  clay. 
An  excavation  in  the  centre  of  the  hut  was  used  as  a  fire- 
place. Each  of  these  houses  served  for  a  single  family,  or 
for  a  whole  circle  of  connections,  according  to  its  dimcn- 
sions.  The  furniture  consisted  of  little  more  than  a  rude 
sort  of  bedsteads,  with  sacking  of  buHalo  skin,  and  some- 
times an  ornamental  curtain  of  the  same  materitd.  Posts 
were  set  in  the  ground,  between  the  beds,  provided  witli 


!^ 


l-Y' 


t 


,,vl 


'   M 


:ij 


410 


INDIAN  IJACKS  OF  AMKUICA. 


I 


pegs,  from  wliidi  depended  the  arms  and  accontrementb 
of  the  warriors. 

"  This  arrangement  of  beds,  of  arms,  &:c.,"  continues  our 
author,  "eomhining  the  most  vivid  display  and  arrange- 
ment of  coh)urs,  of  furs,  of  trmkcts — of  barbed  and  ghst- 
eidng  points  and  steel — of  mysteries  and  hocus  pocus, 
tt)gether  with  the  sombre  and  smoked  colour  of  the  roof 
and  sides  of  the  lodge;  and  the  wild,  and  rude,  and  red — ■ 
the  graceful  (though  uncivil)  conversational,  gai'i'ulous, 
story-telling,  and  happy,  though  ignorant  and  untutored 
groups,  that  are  smoking  their  pipes — -wooing  their  sweet- 
hearts, and  embracing  their  little  ones  about  their  peaceful 
and  endeared  fire-sides;  together  with  their  |)ots  and 
kettles,  spoons,  and  other  culinary  articles  of  their  own 
manufacture,  around  them;  present,  altogether,  one  of  the 
most  picturesque  scenes  to  the  eye  of  a  stranger  that  can 
be  possibly  seen;  and  far  more  wild  and  vivid  than  could 
ever  be  imagined." 

If  the  sight  within  the  dwellings  was  novel  and  striking, 
much  more  so  was  that  which  occupied  the  painter's  atten- 
tion as  he  surveyed,  from  the  roof  of  one  of  these  domes, 
the  motley  scene  of  busy  life  without.  In  the  centre  of 
the  village  an  open  court  was  left  for  purposes  of  recrea- 
tion and  for  the  performances  of  the  national  religious 
ceremonies.  Upon  the  rounded  roofs  of  the  domicils 
rnniierous  busy  or  indolent  groups  were  sitting  or  loung- 
ing in  every  possible  attitude,  while  in  the  central  area 
sc^me  were  exercising  their  wild  horses,  or  training  and 
j>laying  Avith  their  dogs.  Such  a  variety  of  brilliant  and 
riiuciful  costume,  ornamented  with  jjlumes  and  porcupine 
(luills,  with  the  picturesque  throng  of  Indians  and  animals, 
the  closely  crowded  village,  the  green  plain,  the  ri\er,  and 
the  blue  hills  in  tlie  distance,  formed  a  happy  subject  f  >r 
the  ai'tist. 

\\'ithout  the  picket  of  defence,  the  only  objects  visible, 


cincntb 

ucs  our 
rrange- 
id  glist- 

lie  roof 
d  rod— 
rnilous, 
itulored 
ir  swct't- 
pcuccfid 
lots   and 
icir  own 
ic  oC  tlic 
til  at  can 
all  conlil 


II    ■•N'-l 


striking, 
r's  att(Mi- 
e  donics, 
lentrc  of 
if  recroa- 
IrcligiiMis 
doniicils 
)r  loung- 
Itral  area 
I 
t  and 
)rcupine 
animals, 


u<i  ant 


Ian 


ver,  an( 


1 

|l)ic''t  for 


I-- 


visii)ie, 


'PI 


V  I 


V  jii" 


•t' 
1      '  ' 


w 


l!,'- 


'j'lni'-KS  \\\:<\ 


of  mail's  coiistrucl 


mil,  wt'i'f 


I  IK   MISSIS.-IIMT. 


llio  sran'oldino:-   u 


Hill      w 


U\ 


liicli 


t.'Mii  were  expo 


sol.     T 


111'  iii;uii:(M'  1:1  Wlllcll  llir  llllU'rul 
rites  ol'the  Maii(l;uis  were  (•(Hiilucirtl,  with  the  suliseiinciit 


(letaihs  constitutes  the  1 


il<t.~l    iiiileliilii!"   \n  li'tioii  (if  the   an 


tl 


\v 


lor  s  iiaiTatiV' 


1h;i1 


\'  di    1  lie  (U 


a<l  person  was  tiLilitly 


rappeil  ;inil   ootinil   up  in    IVesli  or  soal<<'il  lml1' 


ilo  skin.- 


toixetiier  with  the  anus  aln 


aeeoiitrenients  iiscil  in  lile,  am 


tl 


le  usual   proNi.- 


ii  '11  oC  tol  laeci 


>,  Hint  and  steel,  k' 


lllte,   ;ilH 


food.      A    sli;_;lit   seall'old    is    llieii    jivepare'd, 
lieiiiht  to  sei've  as  tu'oteetion  (Vt  ni  tli 


1 


-iillieieiit 


e  as  proteetion  irt m  the  wolves  an 


d    do- 


)      I 


and  there  the  l>ody  is  de]i(>sit('d  to  ileeay  in  the  ojtcn  air. 

1  »ay  al'iiT  day  those  who  IumI  lo.-t  iViemls  wouM  eonu. 
out  (Voni  liie  \illaL!V  to  this  straiiiio  eeiiif^ti^ry,  to  weep  ;iiid 
hewail  ovei'  their  loss.  Such  ,1:  Miuine  and  lon,L:'-e'ontinued 
xhihited  l>y   tlu'  anhcted  relatives  j>uts  t 


1 1 


12'riel   as  was  ( 


shame  the  etddd:e;irt 


o 


eilir'ss  e.|   t(jo  maiiv  ai 


iioii'''  tlie  eulli- 


lien,  alter  lli>'   lao.-e  o|    veal 


vated  and  enlightened.      W 

the  se-alVolds  had  I'allen,  and  liotliin^' was  lei'l   hut  lileaeju'il 

;uid  mouldei  ini;'  Ixme-,  tlie  remains  \ver(>  Luried,  wiili  the 


oxeeiitioii  01 


the  skulls.     These  were  p 


lae.d 


m  eirele>  npoii 


the'    plain,    ^vith    tlie    faces    turned   inward,   each    resting      i 


II 


1; 


upon  a  biuicli  of  wild  sagt^:  and  in  the  centre,  ujion  two 
slight  nionnds,  ''niedieiiie-j)oles"  wore  oriH'ted,  at,  the  foc^t 
of  wddcli  were  the  heads  and  horns  of  a  male  and  a  feinah^ 
buifalo.  d'o  these  new  placets  of  deposit,  each  of  wiiieh 
contained  not  far  from  one  hundred  skulls,  "do  these 
pee.ple,"  says  Catlin,  "again  resort,  toe\ince  their  further 
aifectiou  for  the  dead — not  in  groans  and  lamentations, 
liowever,  for  several  years  have  cured  the  anguisli;  hut 
f  )nd  affections  and  endearments  are  here  renewed,  and 
conversations  are  here  held,  and  cherished,  with  the  di,  ad." 
The  wufc  or  mothei'  would  sit  i'or  hours  by  the  side  of 
the  wdiitc  relic  of  the  loved  and  hv-^t,  addrc^ssing  the  skull 
witli  the  most  alTeetionate  ami  loving  tone.*^,  or,  perchan  -■ 
lying  down  and   falling  asleep  with  lier  arms  aroend  it. 


i  I 


412 


IXblA.V    |{AL'i:S   OF  AMKiaOA. 


■!,,   ' 


Food  would  1)0  nightly  set  Lcforo  many  of  tlicsc  skulls, 
and,  willi  llic  most  tender  eure,  the  aronifitic  Led  upon 
whieh  they  reposed  would  hd  renewed  as  it  withered  and 
deeayed. 


CHAPTER   II. 

PKUSONAL  APPEARANCE  AND  PECULIA  IMTIKS  OF  THK  MAND.ANS — 
THEHi    HOSPITALITV     AM)     UUliAMTV — THKIll     CI.HAXLI.NESS 

OF  PERSON THEIR  DRESS — PORTRAITS  OF  3IANI)AX  miEFS 

CONTRAST  RETWEEN  THE  WILD  TRIBES  AND  THOSE  OF 

THE  FRONTIER 3IANDAN  DOMESTIC  USAGES GAMES 

AND  DANCES — TRA  INING  OF  THE  YOUTH THE  GREAT 

ANNUAL   RELIGIOUS  CEREiUONY THE   MAN  DANS 

SUPPOSED    TO   BE    OF   WELSH  DESCENT 

ANNIHILATION    OF    T:;K    TRIBE 
BY  THE    SMALL-POX. 

Unlike  the  other  Indian  tribes  of  the  west,  the  Man- 
dans,  instead  of  presenting  a  perfect  uniforinity  in  com- 
plexion, and  in  the  color  of  the  eyes  and  hair,  exhibited  as 
great  diversity  in  these  respects  as  will  be  noticed  in  a 
mixed  population  of  Europeans.  'J'heir  hair  was,  for  the 
most  part,  very  fme  and  soft,  but  in  a  numbo.  of  instances 
a  strange  anomaly  was  observable,  both  in  old  and  young, 
and  in  either  sex,  viz:  a  profusion,  of  coarse  locks  of  "a 
bright  silvery  gray,"  approaching  sometimes  to  white. 

Some  of  the  women  were  quite  fair,  with  blue  eyes,  and 
the  most  symmetrical  features,  combined  with  a  very  at- 
tractive and  agreeable  expression.  It  docs  not  appear 
probable  that  sufficient  intermixture  with  Eu,  '^pean  races 
had  ever  taken  place  to  account  for  these  peculiarities,  and 
bome  authors  appear  quite  convinced  that  these  Mandans 
are  the  remains  of  a  great  peoplq,  entirely  distinct  froin  the 


— -dJ 


:♦ 


!  I 


i  I 


I  i 


I  1 
I  i 


.'KlliKS  WKST  UF  TlIK   M  ISSI.-Sl  I'i' 


■113 


iialiitits  around  tlu'iii.  r)f  N[r.  Catliii's  rcsoarclKS  tiinl  ('oii- 
cIiisiMiis  I'cspcctiiiL;'  iJicir  origin,  wo  sliall  tak't;  (KN-isiMn  to 
spoal':  lu-roaCter. 

Ill  tlicir  (lis])ositi()n,  the  ^faudaiis  were  liosjiilalili'  and 
iriciiilly;  afloctionato  and  kind  in  llirir  trcatiiicnt  of  each 
other;  and  iiiindful  of  tlio  convenience  and  coniliirt  ol'llu; 
stranger,  'Tlieii"  rigim-s  ueix;  beautifully  proportioned,  and 
their  nioveiiieiits  and  attitudes  graceful  and  easy.  Instead 
of  the  elos(,'ly-sliorii  locks  of  some  other  races,  they  wore 
their  hair  hnig.  The  men  were  particidarly  ]U'ond  of  tliis 
appendage,  and  were  at  no  siriall  ])ains  to  arrange  it  in 
Avhat  tliey  esteemed  a  becoming  manner.  Tt  Avas  thrown 
backwa.rd  from  tlie  foi'ehead,  and  divided  into  a  number 
of  j)laits.  These  were  ke[tt  in  their  position  by  glue  and 
some  red-tinted  ear^h,  with  which  they  were  matted  at 
inter\'als.  'i'hc  Avomen  oiled  and  braided  their  hair,  pai't- 
ing  it  ill  the  middle;  the  }»laee  of  parting  was  universally 
])ainted  reil. 

A  greater  degree  of  cleanliness  was  observable  in  their 
pci'sons  than  is  common  among  saA'ages.  A  ])articular 
location  was  assigned,  at  some  distance  from  the  village, 
lip  the  river,  Avlierc  the  wormm  could  resort  undisturbed 
for  their  morning  ablutions.  A  guard  was  stati<Mi(^d,  at 
intervals,  upon  a  surrounding  circle  of  rising  ground,  to 
prevent  intrusion.  Those  of  both  sexes  and  all  ages  were 
excellent  swimmers;  scarcely  was  one  to  be  found  -wlu) 
C(nild  not  with  ease  cross  the  ^fissouri  in  this  manner. 
Their  only  boats  were  round  tnl)s  made  by  stretching  bid- 
falo-skins  over  a  light  frame-work.  Idie  form  and  e:i})acity 
of  these  clumsy  water-craft,  were  strikingly  similar  t()  tliat 
of  the  coracles  used  in  AVales  and  upon  other  portions  of 
the  coast  of  Great  Britain. 

As  an  additional  means  of  luxury,  and  as  an  efficient 
remedy  in  case  of  sickness,  a  hut  was  devoted  to  the  ])ur- 
pose  of  a  steam-bath.     This  was  effected  by  pouring  water 


^  i 


I 


U4: 


INDIAN    IIACKri   OFAMKIMCA. 


upon  lioatcd  stones,  over  wliich  tlic  patient  was  pl;;ce(l, 
\vra|)ped  in  hn Halo-robes,  in  a,  wicker-basket.  Tlio  opera- 
tion was  always  followed  np  by  a  jilnii^c  into  the  river, 
•and  a  snbseipient  nibbiiiL;'  and  oiling  of  tlie  body.  Siuili 
a  mode  of  treatment  produced  terrible  eilbcts,  in  after  times, 
when  the  small-]>ox  spread  throngli  the  tribe. 

The.  di'ess  of  the  ^fandan  warriors,  althongli  in  its  gen- 
eral fashion  similar  to  that  of  the  neighboring  tribes,  was 
singnlarly  rich  and  elaborate.  It  was  formed  entirely  of 
skins:  a  coat  or  hnnting-shirt  of  buck-skin;  leggins  and 
moccasins  of  the  same  material,  beautifully  fringed,  and 
embroidered  with  poi'cnpino  rpiills;  and  an  outer  mantle 
of  the  fnr  of  a  young  buffalo,  formed  the  principal  equip- 
ment. The  covering  for  the  head  was  more  elaborate,  and 
was  constructed,  by  all  Avho  could  obtain  the  materials,  of 
ermine  skins,  and  feathers  of  the  war-eagle.  So  high  a 
value  was  set  upon  these  head-dresses,  that  Air.  Catlin,  after 
having  bargained  for  the  entire  suit  of  a  chief,  whose  por- 
trait he  had  just  painted,  was  obliged  to  give  two  horses, 
of  the  value  of  twentv-fivc  dollars  each,  for  the  crowning 
ornament.  Some  few  (ihiefs  had  attained  a  height  of  au- 
thority and  renown  which  entitled  them  to  add  to  their 
head-dress  a  pair  of  buffalo-horns,  reduced  in  size  and 
weight,  and  arranged  as  they  grew  upon  the  animal.  The 
custom  was  riot  confined  to  the  ]\Iandans,  but  a  similar 
ornament  is  widely  considered  as  symbolic  of  power  and 
warlike  achievements  among  the  western  Indians, 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  pride  and  delight  of  the  chiefs 
of  the  tribe,  after  their  first  apprehensions  at  the  novelty 
of  the  proceeding  were  allayed,  at  the  sight  of  their  own 
portraits,  for  whicli  they  were  induced  to  sit  l)y^  our  author. 
He  was  constituted  and  proclaimed  from  the  moment  of 
the  first  exhibition,  a  "great  medicine-man,"  and  old  and 
young  thronged  to  see  and  to  touch  the  worker  of  such  a 
miracle.     All  declared  that  the  pictures  were,  at  least  par- 


!  I 


I  I 


TRIBES  WEST  OF  TIJE  MISSISSU'l'I. 


i.> 


tially,  tilivc:  for  fi-oiii  wluitsoovcr  side  tlicy  avciv  bolidd, 
still  the  eyes  were  seen  fixed  ii[inn  tlie  l)eli<il'ler.  An  idea 
was  started,  and  obtained  a  tfiniHjraiy  eredeuee,  tli;it  some 
portion  of  the  life  of  tlir  ]>i'i',-oii  represcntetl  must  li;ive 
been  abstraeted  by  the  ]i;iiiiti'r,  and  that  consequently  his 
term  of  existcMK^e  must  Ik;  shcitcnrd.  It  was  nmrcovrr 
feared  lest,  by  the  }iielni'r"s  lixln,^  after  the  deatli  of  the 
oriiiinal.  the  ([uiet  rest  oC  the  ,i;'ra.ve  should  be  troiible(b 

By  a  ui(.)St  ingenious  aid  'pidifioiis  i)oliey  in  adoptin^^  a 
mode  of  explanation,  suited  to  the  ciipaeity  of  his  hearers, 
and  by  wisely  ingratiating  himself  with  the  ehiel's  and 
medicine-men,  Mr.  Catlin  succeeded  in  stilling  the  conuiio- 
tion  excited  bj-  such  suggestions  and  suspicions.  ![(>  was 
held  in  high  estimation,  ami  feasted  by  the  })rincijial  men 
of  the  tribe,  whose  portraits  he  obtained  for  his  invaluable 
collection. 

It  is  only  among  such  remote  tribes  as  the  one  which 
forms  tlic  subject  of  our  pu'esent  consideration,  that  ;iny 
adequate  idea  can  be  formed  of  the  true  Indian  character. 
The  gluttony,  drunkenness,  surliness,  and  "shiftlessness" 
of  the  degraded  race,  that  has  caught  the  vices  of  the 
white  men,  without  aiming  at  his  civilization,  arc  strongly 
contrasted  with  the  abstemiousness,  self-respect,  and  native 
dignitv  of  the  uncontaminated.  "Amongst  the  Avild  In- 
dians  in  this  country,"  says  Catlin,  "there  are  no  beggars — • 
no  drunkards — and  every  man,  from  a  beautiftd  natural 
precept,  studies  to  keep  his  body  and  mind  in  siu'li  a 
healthy  shape  and  condition  as  will  at  all  times  enable 
him  to  use  his  weajjons  in  self-defence,  or  struggle  for  the 
prize  in  their  maidy  games." 

The  usual  custom  of  })olygamy  was  universally  practiced 


amon< 
mcan^ 


the   ^Tandans,    1 


)V 


ill 


wiiose  ran 


k. 


I 


tositiiiii    aiH 


1 


enabled  them  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements, 
and  pay  the  stipulated  ]»rice  for  their  wives.  'Vhv  girls 
were  generally  sold  by  their  pa-"  ^nts  at  a  ver}'  early  age, 


:  I 
ii 


■■;/■# 


J'  • 


■•':\ 


!u' 


«',iv,  ; 


'■ '  -I 


Uf\ 


» ■  I 


■»  t 


it 


.ii!!' 


;.-iir 


410 


IMM.W    HACKS  OF  AMi:i;l('.V, 


and,  as  ni'ioii.Li,"  most  l);iil i.-n'ons  iKitiniis,  tln'ii'  (lite  was  alifo 
of  ti)il  iiiid  ilrihlo'ci'v.  'I'licii'  tinic  lulls!  lir  iilinost  cnii 
Staiitly  ciiiitloyi'd  ill  ,!i(;ttiii;j,'  I'licl,  ('iiIti\;itiii,L''  (mimi  jilid 
S([iiaslics,  |i!'i'|i,ii'iii!.:'  ]iciiiiiii(';iii  jim!  otiicr  (li'lnl  stoi'cs  Ibr 
wi'il'M',  ;ili(l  ill  ill'rssiliL;'  Jiiiil  ciiiln'oiiltTilii!'  t  lir  liillTnlo-rolx'S 
Avliicli  tlicir  lord  ;iiid  iiKistcr  ;u'ciiiiiiil;itc(l  for  1i';mI«'  with  tli(5 
Avliilcs. 

.Xolw  itli.-iaiiiliii,L''  this  a[)parciitly  (k\^'rail('il  pn-itinii,  wt; 
ai'f  iiiroriiii'd  tiiiii  tiic  womcii  wore  S(M'iniiiL!i\' ('(Hilt'iitcd 
willi  llh'ii'  liil,  lliat  IIh'}'  were,  modest  in  their  de]H)itiiieiit, 
and  lh;it  ''ainoin^'st  the  i'cs|)ee1al)Ii'  raiiiilies,  N'irtiu'"  was 
"as  hi,L:lily  ehei'ished,  a  i^  as  iiiaj»pi'oaehahle  as  in  any 
t^oeiety   wdiatever." 

W'liile  traders  aiiiono-  tlic  cxtrome  Avostern  trilxs  aro 
said  to  lie  ahiiostj  iiiii\-ersally  in  tli^  eustoni,  (Voin  nmlivcs 
of  [loliey,  and  |)erha|)s  from  iiieliiiation,  of  ailyiipj,'  them- 
selves 1o  one,  ;it  least,  of  the  priiieip.'il  cliiefs,  by  a  tempo- 
rai;\'  es])ousal  of  his  daii.ulitor.  Tii  many  instances  they 
indiil'jc  in  a  plurality,  ^fhis  is  a  position  greatly  sought 
aftt  J'  hy  llie  young  women,  as  they  ave  enahled  by  it  to 
indulge  their  uative  fondness  ft)r  dis])la_y.  and  arc  freed 
from  tin;  toil  usually  incident  to  their  existenee. 

The  men  and  bo^-s,  leading  a  life  of  ease,  excej't  avIkti 
engaged  u})on  a  hunt,  praetieed  a  great  variety  of  gamers 
and  athletie  sports,  some  of  them  very  curious  and  ori- 
ginal, llorso-raei ng,  ball-plajdng,  archery,  &c.,  never  i'ailed 
to  excite  and  d(;light  them.  An  endless  variety  of  (hmces, 
Avith  A'oc^al  and  instrumental  accompaniments,  s(M'\'cd  for 
recreation  and  religious  ceremonials.  EA'ery  Avord  and 
ste[)  had  some  particular  and  occult  signification,  for  the 
most  part  knoAvn  only  to  those  initiated  in  the  mysteries 
of  "medicine." 

In  times  of  scarcity,  Avben  the  bnffalo  herds  had  Avan- 
dered  aAvay  from  the  vicinity,  so  far  that  the  hnntiu-s  dared 
not  pursue  them,  for  fear  of  enemies,  the  "bnifahj  dance'* 


■{ 


( irliiH'iit,     1 1 

,11 
\\v     \v;is    I 

-:  in  iiiiV    I ' 


1 1 


ii 


1 1 


UII'.KS  W'KST  OF  TIIK  MlSSTSf-IIM'I. 


447 


U';i--<  iirrniriiiiMl  ill  ;lu'  ('ciilral  cniirt  (if  the  villiiLrc  KviTV 
mail  of  il)(«,  triln'  |)osscss('(l  ;i  musk  iiiailo  IVom  the  skin 
of  a  hiilValo'shcad,  iiK:lii(liii<^' the  lioiMis,  !iii(l  di'icd  as  nearly 
as  j)()ssil)!(!  in  tln^  iiatm-al  sliapc,  ti*)  In-  worn  on  tlicsc  occa- 
sions. Win '11  tlu!  \vis(j  nicii  of  llic  nalion  (Ictcnniiicil  iiiii  111 
tlu'ir  invocations  to  allracl  tlic  bntValo  herds,  watclicis  wcni 
stalioiKMl  n[)on  thecniiiicncc 


-11 


ri-oniidiinj:  tlu;  vil 


;  1 71 ' 


aiii| 


tl 


10 


anco  coiniiu' 


need.      With   extrava<rant    action,    am 


1 


Strange  ejaculations,  the  crowd  jieiTornied  tin;  ])resei'il)ed 
nianf£'nvrcs:  as  fast  as  those  engaged  became  weary,  they 
would  signily  it  by  orouclung  <lown,  when  tho.se  without 
the  circle  would  go  through  the  pantomime  of  severally 


shootin; 


avinu,  ai 


id  d 


I'e.ssmg  tliem,  w 


diil 


e  new  ix-i 


•fori 


11- 


crs^ook  their  jilace.  Night  and  day  the  mad  scene  was 
k(!})t  up,  soinetimes  i'ur  weeks  together!  until  tin;  signal 
was  gi\-en  of  the  a[)proaeh  of  bulTalo,  when  all  }»repared 


with   jo\-  and   hilaritv   I'oi"  a  grand   1 


that  their  own  e.xei'tions 


had 


-ecurei 


inn! 
I  th. 


i-ully 
rize. 


convmeei 


I 


1 


No  less  singular  was  the  ceremonial  resorted  t(j  when 
the  crops  were  sulfering  lor  want  of  rain.  A  knot  of  the 
wisest  medicine-men  would  c«)llect  in  a  hut,  where  they 
held  their  session  with  closed  doors,  burning  aromatic  herbs 
and  g*jing  through  with  an  unknown  sei'ies  of  incanta- 
tions. Some  tyro  was  then  sent  up  to  take  his  stand  on 
tlie  vtnA]  in  sightof  tlic  ])eo])le,  and  spend  the  day  in  invo- 
cations lor  a  shower.  If  the  sky  eoiitimuHl  clear,  he  J'e- 
tired  in  disgrace,  as  oncAvho  need  not  ho{)e  ever  \o  arii\-e 
at  the  dignity  of  a  medicine-man.     Day  after  day  the  ))(•)•- 


fornianee  continued 
when  the  vouno; 


un 


til 


a  ( 


loud 


oversDrc 


.>ad  tl 


le  sl<ics. 


ndian  on  the  lodge  discharged  an  arrow 
towards  it,  to  let  out  the  rain.  I'^roin  their  earliest  youth, 
the  bo3's  were  trained  to  the  mimic  exercises  of  war  and 
the  chase.     Tt  was  a  beautiful  siuht  to 


w 


less   llie 


lii'it 


with  wliich  tl 


ley  would  enact  a  sham  light  upon  the  ojaMi 


praiiie, 


A  tuft  ol 


(i'rass  s 


upi 


ilied  tl 


1 


nace  o 


r  the 


hm:  )- 


■  <•«'' 


^'M' 

m^h 


n. 


Hh  : 


4 


I 


118 


IM»iA.N   KACluri  OF  A.MKIUCA. 


'.Ml  , 

il 


•..Is 

Mi: 


>l 


n 


ii 


i-.  / 


1 1 


1mc1<,  ;iii(l  bliiiii,  arrows  (»(' ,ui'a.-s  (»r  rcnl-,  uitli  \vun(]i'>i 
SraljiiiiLi-kiiivcs,  rdriiicil  tlirir  iiiiKuMKUis  wcapoiis.  "  li'  any 
HIP',"  .<ays  Catliii,  ''is  sti'iu-k  with  an  arruw  t>n  any  vital 
Ji;irt  i>r  liis  lii)(|\-,  lie  is  i)lili;jf(l  Id  fall,  an'l  liis  ail\ fr.-ai'V 
I'Mslirs  ii|i  to  liiiM,  plaiM's  liis  lliot  upon  liini,  anil  .-nali'liin^' 
liMin  liis  lirll  his  \voo(Icn  kiiill',  ,m'as|>s  lioM  ol' liis  \  ictiin's 
Sea!  1 1- loci;  of  grass,  and  making'  a  li-int  at  it,  with  his  wooilru 
knili',  siiatchi'S  it  oil' ami  puis  it  into  his  hrll,  ami  enters 
jigaiii  into  iIk;  ranks  and  iVont  ol'  batth.'." 

This  was  the  Irm-  mode  of  lormin;.:;  w  aiM'lors.  The  youth 
grew  to  manhodd  with  tin;  one  idea  that,  Inu-  ilignity  an(l 
gloiy  awaiteil  him  alone  who  could  I'ringe  his  garmdits 
Avilli  llie  st-alps  of  his  eneniit'S,  Some  ol  the  Mandaii 
braves,  ewn  ol'  their  last,  u'lMU'ration,  [lei'Tormed  feats  of 
dariu'j',  and  enu'tiged  in  chivalrous  coud)ats,  which  will 
aluujst  comj)aro  with  ihe  deeds  of  i'i.-karet,  or  Iliadci^ni  in 
the  early  liistoi-y  of  the  Iroquois. 

i\t  the  risk<»rseenung  to  linger  too  long  over  the  hi.-tory 
and  customs  oC  a  single  ti'ibe,  i'cw  in  numbers,  and  now 
extinct,  wo  will  give  some  description  ol'  the  sfi'ange  leli- 
gious  cei'cniony  which  (x'Cii])ied  lour  days  ol' each  retuining 
year.  The  religious  beliel'  of  the  ^huidans  was,  in  the 
main,  not  unlike  that  of  most  North  American  alnirigines, 
but  some  of  their  self-torturing  mode'  of  adoration  and 
pro[)itiatioii  of  tlicii'  di'ity  were  perf(\;lly  unicpie.  The 
grand  four  days'  <;ei'einouy  bad,  accoi'ding  to  Catlin,  threi; 
distinct  objects;  a  festival  of  thanksgiving  for  Ihe  escaiie 
of  their  ancestors  fi'om  the  Hood!  of  which  they  bad  a 
distinct  tradition,  strikingly  confoiMnable  to  scriptural 
history;  lor  the  grand  "bulbdance,"  to  dra\v  the  buffalo 
lierds  towards  the  settlemcut;  and  to  initiate  the  young 
men,  by  terrible  trials  and  tortuivs,  into  the  ordei'  of  war- 
riors, and  to  allow  those  whose  fortitude   had  been   I'ulK' 


testt'il  to  u'wc  r( 


.1 


f  th 


enewea  prooJs  ot  tiieir  eapacit\'oi 


"IKliU' 


ance,  and  their  claim  to  the  }iosition  of  chiefs  and  leauer; 


|L 


^Mattiftimtiiinir''"ia 


W' 


"li'iiiiy 
ny  vil;il 
lvci>;ii'y 

iiili'liiii.^:,' 
\icti  Ill's 

;  \V(  II  M  Irll 

111  I'llU'lS         I 

!  I 

ln'V'iiltli  i| 

■iiitv  aii'l  ! 

o-iriiit'iils  ij 

M:i1m1:i'i  \\ 

I    liMt.s  '.I'  1 1 

liirh    will  , 

iulcuiii  ill  ' 


H'  lii.-tnrv 

111  Hi    11<»\V         ; 
allLTV  ivli-      I  I 

i'i'tunrm<,'  ,1 

s,   ill   till'  ,j 

iiifiuim'S,  i'j 

liliiiii  iiinl  ''  I 

111'.      Tho  ,1 

rni,llii'i'0  ',  i 

|ll('  C'.-c;ipt^        I 

!V   li;i'l   :•-       j 
,rlMl>tin';il        ; 

lie  l)ull:ilo 
liu  yoiiii^i  i  I 
■r  of  w;ir- 
ecii  Inlly 
I il'  "ikIup- 
1(1  Icaaciv. 


-fii-'t; 


,  iuSr  -^  'rHv^^'v  T--V  ■-> "' 


•  7  ••■• 
:.r.-.": 


m?.. 


^-»; 

ui 

^ 


y. 


''M 

'si 

^^^^^^B 

» 

IPS 


'1'^ 


A\ 


n 


I  .v  II  1 .1  .V    II' .//  /.•    //  .1  .V(   *; 


'W 


m 


■  .1 

'    4 

• 

;1 

i;) 

■A 

■.  •'^^  " 


TinuKs  ■\vp:st  ry  riiE  Missis.sirri, 


■i-.::» 


I 
'  I 


The  period  for  the  ceremony  was  that  in  wliich  the 
leaves  of  the  willow  on  the  river  bank  were  lirst  fully 
opened;  "for,  according  to  their  tradition,"  says  Catlin, 
"'the  twig  that  tJte  bfnl  hronqltt  home  was  a  willow  l)()U<j;li, 
and  had  full  grown  leaves  upon  it,'  and  the  bird  to 
which  the}'  allude  is  the  mourning  or  turtle-dove,  which 
they  took  great  pains  to  point  out  to  me,"  as  u  hkiU- 
cint-hird.  The  first  performances  bore  refercncci  to  tlie 
deluge,  in  commemoration  of  which  a  sort  of  "curb  or 
hogshead"  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  village  court,  sym- 
bolical of  the  "big  canoe,"  in  which  the  human  race  was 
preserved. 

No  intimation  was  given  by  the  wise  men,  under  whose 
secret  management  the  whole  affair  was  conducted,  of  the 
precise  day  when  the  grand  celebration  should  connnence; 
but  at  sunrise,  one  morning,  ^[r.  Catlin  and  his  white  com- 
panions were  aroused  b}'  a  terrible  tumult  througlujut  the 
village.  All  seemed  to  be  in  a  st;i1e  of  the  greatest  ex- 
citement and  alarm,  the  cause  of  which  was  un  ex  plain  able, 
as  the  object  at  which  all  were  ga/ing  was  a  single  figure 
approaching  the  village,  fnuii  a  blnfl',  nbout  a  mile  distant. 
This  personage  soon  entered  within  the  inclosed  space  of 
the  town:  he  Avas  painted  with  white  clay,  and  carried  a 
large  pipe  in  his  hand.  He  was  saluted  by  the  principal 
men  of  the  tribe  as  "jSTu-mohk-muck-a-nah  (the  fii'st  or 
only  man," — in  fact,  none  other  than  Noah  himself) — who 
had  come  to  open  the  great  lodge  reserved  exclusively  for 
the  annual  religious  rites. 

Having  superintended  the  preparation  of  the  medicine- 
house,  and  leaving  men  busy  in  adorning  it  with  willow 
boughs  and  sage,  and  in  the  arrangement  of  divers  skulls, 
both  of  men  and  buffaloes,  which  were  essential  in  the 
coming  mysteries,  Nu-mohk-muck-a-nah  made  the  rounds 
of  the  village,  re})eating  before  ever}^  lodge  the  tale  of  the 
great  deluge,  and  telling  how  he  alone  had  been  saved  in 
29 


1 1 

!   I 


i  I 


h 


"<  ■', 


rm, 


:r4 


rii 


m' 


'■   :& 

M 


I 


II 


I  ! 


I  I 


4.:,o 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


liis  ark,  and  left  by  the  retiring  waters  upon  the  summit 
of  a  western  mountain ! 

At  every  hut  he  was  presented  with  some  cutting  instru- 
ment, (such  as  was  su])})Osed  to  have  been  used  in  the 
construction  of  the  ark,)  to  be  thrown  into  the  river  as  a 
sac ri lice  to  tlie  waters. 

y^cxt  day,  having  usliered  tlic  young  men  who  were  to 
ffo  tlu'ouuh  tlie  fearful  ordeal  of  self-inflicted  torture  into 
the  sacred  lodge,  and  a{)pointed  an  old  medicine-man  to  the 
o/Tice  of  "0-kee-pah  Ka-se-kah,  (keeper  or  conductor  of 
the  ceremonies,")  he  took  up  his  march  into  the  prairie, 
promising  to  appear  again  on  the  return  of  the  season  in 
the  ensuing  year. 

The  young  warriors,  preparatory  to  undergoing  the  tor- 
ture, ^vere  obliged,  until  the  fourth  day  from  their  entry 
into  the  lodge,  to  abstain  from  food,  drink,  or  sleep! — 
!N[ean  while,  various  strange  scenes  were  enacted  in  the  cen- 
tral area  before  the  house.  The  grand  buffalo-dance,  a 
pel  Ibi'mance  combining  every  thing  conceivable  of  the  gro- 
tesque and  extravagant,  was  solemnly  performed  to  insu^^c 
a  favorable  season  for  the  cliasc. 

On  the  fourth  ilay  commenced  the  more  horrible  portion 
of  the  exercises.  Mr.  Catlin,  as  a  great  medicine-man,  was 
admitted  within  the  lodge  thronghout  the  performances, 
and  had  full  op])ortunity  to  portray,  with  pen  and  pencil, 
the  scenes  therein  enacted.  Coming  forward,  in  turn,  the 
A-ictiius  allowed  the  flesli  of  their  breasts  or  backs  to  be 
j)iercod  with  a  rough  two-edged  knife,  and  S])lintors  of 
wood  to  be  thrust  through  the  holes.  Enough  of  the 
skin  and  "flesh  wci-e  taken  up  to  bo  more  than  sufficient 
for  the  sui)port  of  the  weigiit  of  the  bod}'-.  To  these 
s])lints  cords  let  down  from  the  roof  were  attached,  and 
the  subject  of  these  inlHctions  was  hoisted  from  the 
ground.  Similar  splints  were  then  thrust  through  the 
arms  and  legs,  to  which  the  warrior's  arms,  and,  in  some 


,  I 


!i 


:  I 


■]1 


■^ 


,  I 

1  i 


I 


summit 

cr  instru- 
i  in  tlio 
vcr  as  a 

)  ^Ycrc  to 
turc  into 
laii  to  the 
luctor  of    i  j 
ic  prairie,    i  j 
season  in    j  j 


ig  the  tor- 
leir  entry 
'  sleep! — 
in  the  eeii- 
o-(lance,  a 
of  the  gro- 
to  insu^'c 


M 


)lc  portion 
|3-man,  was 
brnianees, 
nJ  pencil, 
|i  turn,  the 
liehs  to  be 
)1  inters  of 
gh  of  the 
1  snfhcient 
To  these 
[ached,  and 
from    the 
rough    the 
1(1,  in  some 


TRIBES  WEST  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI, 


451 


cases,  as  additional  weights,  several  heavy  buffido  heads, 
were  liung. 

Thus  far  ,the  fortitude  of  the  Indian  sufficed  to  restrain 
all  exhibition  of  pain;  while  tlic  flesh  was  torn  witli  ihc 
rude  knife,  and  the  wooden  skewers  were  tlirust  in,  a 
pleasant  smile  was  frequently  observable  on  the  youiig 
warrior's  countenance;  but  when  in  the  horrible  position 
above  described,  with  his  flesh  stretched  by  the  splints  till 
it  appeared  about  to  give  way,  a  number  of  attendants 
commenced  turning  him  round  and  round  with  poles,  he 
would  "burst  out  in  the  most  lamentable  and  heart-rend- 
ing cries  that  the  human  voice  is  ca])able  of  producing, 
crying  forth  to  the  Great  Spirit  to  sup^Dort  and  protect 
him  in  this  dreadful  trial." 

After  hanging  until  total  insensibility  brought  a  tempo- 
rary relief  to  his  sufferings,  he  was  lo\V(3red  to  the  floor, 
the  main  supporting  skewers  were  withdrawn,  and  he  was 
left  to  crawl  off.  dra2;<2;inLC  the  wei'jjhts  after  him.  The 
first  movement,  with  returning  consciousness,  was  to  sacri- 
fice to  the  Great  Spirit  one  or  more  of  the  fingers  of  the 
left  hand,  after  wliich  the  miserable  wretoli  was  taken  out 
of  the  lodge.  Within  the  court  a  new  trial  awaited  him ; 
thf!  last,  but  most  terrible  of  all.  An  active  man  took  his 
po.-;ition  on  each  side  of  the  weak  and  mutilated  sufferer, 
and,  passing  a  thong  about  his  wrist,  urged  him  forward  at 
the  top  of  his  speed  in  a  circle  round  the  arena.  When, 
faint  and  weary,  he  sank  on  the  ground,  the  tormentors 
dragged  him  furiously  around  the  ring  until  the  splints  were 
torn  out  by  the  weights  attached,  and  he  lay  motionless  an(l 
apparently  lifeless.  If  the  spl int  should  hav'C  been  so  deeply 
inserted  that  no  force — even  that  of  the  weight  of  individ- 
uals in  the  crowd,  thrown  upon  the  trailing  skidls — could 
break  the  integuments,  nothing  remained  but  to  crawl  ofl"  to 
the  pi-airie  and  wait  until  it  should  give  way  by  suppuration. 
To  draw  the  skewer  out  would  be  unpardonable  sacrilege. 


I 


'J 


r,i  '/si 


4r>2 


INDIAN    ItACKS  OF  AMHlilCA. 


<■  ■m. 

■  I 


'.(•^t 


■J 


Tt  is  told  of  one  man  tluil.  lie  sus])cii(lcJ  liinisclf  from 
tlic  precipitous  rivei"  ]);uik  by  two  of  these  skewei's,  tlirr.st 
through  his  arms,  uinil,  al  tiie  end  of  several  days!  ho 
dropped  into  the  watei-,  and  swam  ashore.  'riiroii,L!;hout 
the  whole  ordeal,  the  chiefs  and  sages  of  the  tribe  critically 
observed  the  comparative  fortitude  and  endurance  of  the 
candidates,  and  formed  their  conclusions  thereupon  as  to 
"which  v/ouid  be  the  woithiest  to  comnaand  in  after  time. 

With  all  these  fri<zhtf id  and  hideous  si'jhts  before  his 
eyes,  or  fresh  in  his  recollection,  our  author  still  maintains, 
and  apparently  upon  good  grounds,  and  in  honest  sin-' 
cerity,  his  former  eulogium  upon  the  virtues  and  nat- 
ural, noble  endowments  of  these  singular  people.  AVe 
have  given,  above,  but  a  brief  outline  of  the  myt-terious 
conjurations  attendant  upon  the  great  annual  festival: 
numy  of  these  lack  interest  from  our  ignorance  of  their 
signification. 

A  favorite  theme  for  theorists,  ever  since  the  early  ages 
of  American  colonization,  has  been  found  in  the  endeav- 
or to  trace  a  descent  from  the  followers  of  the  Welsh 
voyager,  Prince  Madoc,  to  sundry  Indiiui  tribes  of  the 
west.  Vague  accounts  of  Indians  of  light  complexion, 
who  could  speak  and  understand  the  \7elsh  language,  are 
given  by  various  ea'dy  writers.  They  Avere  generally  lo- 
cated by  the  narrator  in  some  indeterminate  region  west 
of  the  Mississippi,  at  a  considerable  distance  above  New 
Orleans,  but  no  where  near  the  Missouri. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  these  ancient  accounts  are  so 
loose  and  uncertain,  as  there  can  bo  no  doubt  but  that  they 
are  ibunded  upon  striking  and  important  facts.  A  list  of 
Mandan  words,  compared  with  Welsh  of  the  same  signi- 
fication, lias  been  made  public  by  Mr.  Catlin,  in  which  the 
ri:'send.>lance  is  so  clear,  that  almost  any  theory  won"'*!  bo 
more  credible  than  that  such  aflinity  was  accidental.  ''J'liis 
author  tiaciHl  remains  of  the  peculiar  villages  of  the  Man- 


II 


1 1 


I 


i! 


1 1 


1 1 


Ay 


■l^ 


M 


I  i 


f  from 

thriuSt 
ys!  lio 
iiu;liout 
itically 
;  of  llio 
)n  as  to 
.'  tiuu'. 
fore  \n^ 

icst  siu- 
ud  nut- 
Ic.  AVc 
'i-terions 
festival: 
of  tlicir 


irly  ages 
cndeav- 
AYelsli 
3  of  the 
plexiou, 
lase,  are 
rally  lo- 
ion  west 
ve  New 

Its  are  so 
that  tliey 
I A  list  of 

le  signi- 
•liicli  the 

,'011^  •!  l»e 
ml    This 

he  Mali- 


1 1 


1 1 


II 


!  I 


I  I 


TllIBEri  WEST  OF  TlIK  MISSISSIPPI. 


453     , ! 


dans  nearly  to  tlie  moutli  of  the  ^rissouri,  atid  descrihes 
others  of  similar  eharaeter  to  tlie  northward  (jf  Ciiicinnati. 

He  siip})Oses  that  the  adventurers,  who  sailed  froin  Wak'S 
in  +he  year  1170,  and  were  n(!ver  theneeforth  licard  from, 
after  landing  at  Florida,  or  near  the  month  of  the  Mis.-i.-- 
Bippi,  made  their  way  to  Ohio;  that  they  tlu're  hccanu' 
involved  in  hostilities  with  the  natives,  ami  wei'e  eventually 
all  eut  off,  with  the  exception  of  the  half-breeds  wlm  IkuI 
sprang  up  from  eonncetion  with  the  woiueii  of  the  coun- 
try; that  these  hali-jreeds  had  at  one  time  ioi'incd  a  }»ow- 
erful  tribe,  but  had  gradually  been  reduced  to  those  whom 
we  have  deseril)ed,  and  had  i-emoved  or  Iteen  driven  far- 
ther and  flirther  n}>  the  Mis-oui'i.  The  arguments  upon 
whicli  this  hypothesis  is  based  are  drawn  from  a  careful 
examination  of  ancient  western  fortifications;  from  })hys- 
ieal  jie'culiarities  and  the'  analogies  in  language  above  re- 
ferred to;  from  certain  arts  of  woi'hiuL;'  in  pottery,  c^'c; 
and  (Vom  the  remarkal)le  and  isolate'd  position  occupied  by 
the  ti'ibe  in  question  among  hostile  nations  of  in(lubital)le 
aboriginal  characteristics.  Hie  theory  is,  to  say  the  least, 
plausible,  and  ably  su]-)])orle(l. 

In  the  summer  of  l^oS,  the  small-pox  was  communi- 
cated to  the  ]\[andans  from  some  infected  })er.sons  on  boai'd 
one  of  the  steamers  Ijclonging  to  a  com[)any  of  fur-traders. 
So  virulent  was  the  disease,  that  in  a  few  weeks  it  swept 
off  the  whole  tribe,  except  a  few  who  fell  into  the  hands 
of  their  enemies,  the  Iiicarees.  One  })rincipal  reason  for 
the  excessive  mortality  is  said  to  have  been,  that  hostile 
bands  of  Indians  had  beset  the  villau'C,  and  the  inhaljit- 
ants  were  consequently  unalde  to  separate,  or  to  place  the 
infected  in  an  isolated  position. 

The  scene  of  devith,  lamentation,  and  tei-ror  is  said  l)y 
those  who  witnessed  it  to  have  been  fi'ightful  in  ilie  ex- 
treme. Great  numbers  i)erishe(l  by  leaping  into  the  ri\-er, 
in  the  j^arox^sm  of  fever,  being  too  weak  to  swim  out. 


il 
;  I 

II 


M 


j.'»t 

ma 

'  ^^''  ^'"jfii^H  1 

>   'W  ^Im^aB  1 

■' ''  '  '     Tfl^Wm 

<■  ■■«f  ■"'-^rJw'l 

r-'  ;  >.'h'w|I 

.  i      ^''; 

TnM    mSm 

■'M 

'^m 

'  '-i.''  J 

'i^aM 

(■•   1 

*,wWm 

-i"!' 

i<fli;tlj|R 

"■''Ml 

'\  -■^m 

">: 

m 


*•  ^c*  'I 


1 


:.'■  ■  \\ 


'H 


'■     1 1 


m 


jti 


I..  It..,.  ■  .^ 

y  i 


45i 


INDIAN'   IJACKS  OF  A.MKIITCA. 


Those  who  died  in  tlic  villrcge  lay  in  hea[)s  upon  the  floors 
of  the  huts.  Of  the  few  secured  by  the  llicurces  who  took 
possession  of  the  depopulated  village,  near])'  all  were  suiil 
to  have  been  killed  during  some  subsequent  hostilitic.:,  r/) 
thut  now  scarce  a  vestige  of  th  .^  tril>e  can  be  su})poscd  to 
remain. 

The  Mandans  were  probably  all  congregated  at  their 
principal  village  at  the  time  of  the  great  calamity' :  the 
other  village  was  situated  two  miles  below,  was  a  small 
settlement,  and  was  used,  as  wo  are  led  to  infer,  merely  for 
a  tcmpurary  ^^autamer  residence  for  a  few  of  the  noted 
families." 

Air.  Catlin  adds  the  following  items  to  his  account  of  the 
annihilation  of  thir.  interesting  tribe:  "There  is  yd  a  mel- 
ancholy part  of  the  talc  to  be  told,  relating  to  the  ravages 
of  this  frightful  disease  in  tlnit  country  on  the  same  occa- 
sion, as  it  spi'cad  to  other  contiguous  tribes,  the  Miiiatni'- 
rees,  the  Knisteneaux,  the  Blackfcet,  the  Chayennes,  and 
the  Crows;  amongst  whom  twenty-five  iliousand  perislicd 
in  tlie  course  of  four  or  live  months,  which  most  ap})alHng 
i'acts  1  got  from  Major  Pilcher,  superintendent  of  Indian 
affairs  at  St.  Louis,  from  Mr.  McKenzie,  and  others." 


•   I 

I* 

'.'  'I 


TRIBES  Wr.,-T  OF  TllK  M  [SSIS3I1TI.  •l")."') 

CHAI'Tl'Il  III. 

THE    SIOUX  CONTINTTEn — TlilOIR    MODK  OK   I, IKE — MATKUNAT,  AITKC- 

TiOxX — icxposuHE  OP  TiiK  A(ii:i)  —  riii;  i-A^rous  quarky  of  ui:i) 

riPE-STONK NATUKE  OP  THIS  MATEHIAI, — INDIAN  SUPEKSTI- 

TlOiNS  I{E.SPECTI\(J  IT — TIIK  lUSON  Oil  KUPPAl.o — HOUSES  OP 

THE  INDIANS — VA\!If)t,VS    :\t()l)i:s  OF  HUNTING  Till':   lil'F- 

FALO WAbTEPUL  DESTKUCTIO.N   OF  THE  IIKIIDS. 

The  Sloiix  proper,  knovv'ii  among  tlicmsclvcs  aTid  l>y 
otlier  Iiidiau  tribes  as  Dalicotas,  are  one  of  tlie  ino.-l  ex- 
tensively (lilTiised  nations  of  the  west.  From  \]\c  Upi'*  r 
Mississip})],  wlierc  they  iiiiii'jle  with  tlie  northei'ii  i-aoi>  of 
Chippcwas,  to  tlie  Missonri,  and  fir  in  the  north-west 
towards  the  country  of  the  l^laeh'feet,  the  tribes  of  tliis 
family  oceupy  the  boundless  pniirle. 

Those  living  on  the  Mis;;ij-sippi  and  St.  Peter's  rely 
partially,  as  we  have  ni;'iitio!U'(l,  ujxjn  agriculture,  and 
their  proximity  to  the  white  settlcnu.Mits  has  changed,  and 
too  often  degraded  their  native  character.  The  more  dis- 
tant tribes,  subsisting  almost  entirely  upon  the  flesh  of  the 
buifalo,  clothed  with  skins,  and  using  ^le  native  weapons 
of  their  race,  still  remain  in  a  state  of  rude  frecMlom  and 
independence.  Graphic  descriptions  of  their  wild  life, 
their  skill  and  dexterity  in  the  chase,  and  innumerable 
amusing  and  striking  incidents  of  travel,  and  portraitures 
of  private  and  natural  character,  are  to  be  found  scattered 
through  the  pages  of  Catliii's  interesting  narrative. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  and  touching  traits  of  cha;- 
acter  described  L;-  this  author,  as  observable  among  the 
Sioux,  is  the  strength  of  maternal  affection.  Infant  chil- 
dren, according  to  the  common  custom  of  Avestcrn  Indians, 
are  carried,  tor  the  first  six  or  seven  months  of  tlicir  ex 
istence,  strapped  iinmoveably  to  a  board,  the  IkukIs  and 
[irms  l)cini>;  li-eiierallv  left  at  liberty.     A  hoov  i  roteuts  the 


I  ! 


I  ! 


■V: 
'   .1:! 


I 


■.,:( 


■I ,   I V  , 


i' 


'':'<",'*KI 


■;!5 


-V 


i56 


INDIAN     It.Vl'KS  (JK  AMKUICA. 


"J 


■*'i 


^i.H 


5'  ■'  '. 


child's  f;u'0  froiii  iiijiirv  iii  caHc  '-f  u  fall,  iiiid  tlic  whole 
jipparatiis  is  often  hi.Lihly  oi'iiiiiiuMiled  with  fVin.iiy  and  cm- 
hi'oidery.  This  pack'  or  cradle  is  provided  \\ith  a  broail 
hand,  wliich  is  jtassed  lonnd  tlie  forehead  of  the  mother, 
susttiininL;  the  weight  of  the  child  pcndtint  at  her  back, 
'i'hose  who  have  been  most  familiar  with  this  mode  of 
trcatiiient  gcnerall)' a})prove  of  it  as  best  suited  to  the  life 
led  by  the  Indian,  and  as  in  no  way  cruel  to  the  child. 
Aftoi'  the  infant  has  in  som(i  degree  acquired  the  use  of  its 
limbs,  it  is  freed  fj'oni  these  incurribrunccs,  and  borne  in  the 
fold  of  the  niothe]''s  blanket. 

"If  the  infant  dies  during  the  time  that  is  allotted  to  it 
to  be  carried  in  this  cradle,  it  is  buried,  and  the  diseonso- 
lat('  mother  iills  the  cradle  with  black  quills  and  feathei's, 
in  the  parts  which  the  child's  body  had  occupied,  and  in 
this  way  carries  it  around  with  her  wherever  she  goes  for 
a  year  or  more,  with  as  much  care  as  if  her  infant  were 
r.iive  and  in  it;  and  she  often  lays  or  stands  it  against  the 
:-ide  of  tlic  wigwam,  where  she  is  all  day  engaged  with 
Iier  noedle-v\^ork,  and  chatting  and  talking  to  it  as  famil- 
i;irly  and  affectionately  as  if  it  were  her  loved  infant, 
in.stead  of  its  shc^l,  that  she  was  talking  to.  So  lasting 
fmd  so  strong  is  the  affection  of  these  women  for  the  lost 
child,  that  it  matters  not  how  heavy  or  cruel  their  load,  or 
how  rugged  the  route  they  have  to  pass  over,  they  will 
faithfully  carry  this,  and  carefully,  fi'om  day  to  day,  and 
even  more  strictly  perform  their  duties  to  it,  than  if  the 
child  were  alive  and  in  it." — {Letters  and  Xutes  of  Georyo 
C'll/in.) 

AVhat  appears,  at  first  gkancc,  to  be  one  of  the  most 
revolting  and  cruel  customs  of  the  migrat'^ry  Sioux  tribes, 
(a  custom  common  to  other  western  nations,)  is  the  exposure 
of  the  old  and  infirm  to  pcrisli,  after  they  have  become 
un;d)le  to  keep  up  witli  the  tribe.  We  are  told,  however, 
that  dire  neeessiiy  compels  them  to  this  course,  unless  they 


1, 


!  I 


I  I 


I  ' 


-1\ 


I  ( 


i  wliole 

I  bi'oad 
iiotlicr, 
!•  back, 
lodo  of 
the  life 
J  cl.il.l. 
so  of  its 
c  ill  the 


:cd  to  it 

iscoiiso- 

catliers,    j  i 

and  in  i  1 
I  ! 

o-Qcs  for  1 1 
I 

.lit  were    i 

dnst  tlio      1 


-d 


Avnii 

Ihinil- 

iiifant, 

astiiig 

ic  lust 

jad,  or 

'v  uiU 

IV,  and 

if  tlie 

Gcortje 

2  most 

trilx^s, 

:])Osnro 

)(,'C'()nio 

>\VCVCT, 

ss  tLcy 


11 


1 1 

1 1 


;  ] 


I  ! 


I  1 


I! 


TUIHKS  WKSr  OF  Till';  M  lSSl,-.-l  I'l'l. 


•i.)^ 


would — more  liumaiK^ly,  it  is  ti-uc — at  once  ))nt  an  end  to 
tlie  lives  of  sneh  uidbi-tniKitcs.  The  old  .suIVl'I'ci'  hdI  only 
assents  to  tlie  ]  roceediiii^',  but  gciid'ally  su,t;'gcsts  it,  wlica 
eonseions  that  ho  is  too  \V(>ak  to  travel,  or  to  b(>  ol'  any 
fui'tlier  service  ainon^'  his  pcMjilc.  With  soiiu^  sb^■ht  pi'o- 
teetiou  over  him,  and  a  lilllc  (ood  by  his  side,  he  is  \v\\.  to 
die,  and  be  devoured  by  the  wolves. 

Certain  tribes  of  this  nation,  Car  \\\>  tlu;  ^[issonri,  are  in 
the  habit  of  performing-  various  ceremonies  of  self-toi'luro 
in  their  reli<^ions  exercises,  s(jme\vhat  analogous  to  those  of 
the  ^randans,  but  seldom,  if  ever,  arc  they  carried  to  such 
an  extent  as  we  have  described  in  treating  of  that  trii)e. 

In  tlie  Sioux  C(.)untry,  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the 
high  ridge,  called  the  Cotcau  der,  i^rairies,  which  separates 
the  head-waters  of  the  St.  Peter's  IVoiii  the  Missouri,  is 
situated  the  far-famed  quarry  of  red  [tipo-stone.  Pipes  of 
this  I'onnalion  are  seen  throngliunt  the  whole  of  th»;  west, 
no  otiicr  material  being  considered  suitable.  Th(>  district 
was  formerly  considered  as  a  sort  of  neutral  gro'ind,  where 
hostile  tribes  from  far  and  near  nii'.rht  harmouiousi\'  resort 
to  sui)})ly  the  all-essential  want  of  the  Indian.  Those 
versed  in  the  mysteries  of  Indian  heraldry  have  deciphered 
the  distinn-uishinii;  marks  and  escutcheons  of  a  <'rcat  iium- 
ber  of  Avestern  nations,  inscribed  upon  adjacent  rocks. 
Of  late  years  the  Sioux  have  alfectcd  a  monopoly  in  the 
2:)roducts  of  this  (piarry,  and  it  was  not  without  the  most 
vehement  opposition  that  Mr.  Catlii\  and  iiis  coni})anioiis, 
led  by  curiosity  to  visit  tin'  remote  and  celebrated  ]>laee, 
Avcre  enabled  to  makcvtli(Mi'  wav  throuu,Ii  the  Indian  set- 
tlements  fallen  in  with  on  the  route. 

Throngs  of  dusky  warriors,  at  these  stopping-places, 
would  assemble  to  discuss,  with  great  heat  and  excitement, 
the  true  motives  of  the  sti'angcrs.  The  general  iin})i-es- 
sioii  seemed  to  be  that  the  travellers  were  government 
agents,  sent  to  survey  the  locality  for  the  purpose  of  a|)pro- 


1 1 

ll 
I  ; 
i  I 

:  I 


!  •* 


Ll: 


..y 


II 


a 


!• 


■■-•.1 


'•;,:••  ill*- 


n 


458 


1NI)I  \\    HACKS  OF  AMl'KICA. 


priation,  and  ono  and  all  cxj)rossed  a  dcU'i'iiiiiiatioii  to 
perish  nillicr  than  r(  liiHjuish  their  rights  to  this,  tlu-irmost 
V.thu'(I  jilacc  of  ix'sort. 

'^^riic  stoik-  is  ohtaiiird  l>y  <li'/,L;'in,cj^  to  a  (h'jith  of  several 
feet  in  the  jn-aii'ie,  at  tin'  foot  of  a  ]treei})ilt>iis  wall  of 
qnartz  roelvS.  'I'lu;  whole  geological  Ibrination  of  that 
district  is  di'seribcd  as  exc(\^dingly  singular,  and  the  })i})e- 
stone  foi'niatioii  is,  itydf,  entirely  unique.  This  niatei'iul 
is  "harder  than  gyjisum,  and  softer  tlian  carbonate  of 
lime;"  it  is  asserted  that  a  precisely  similar  formation  has 
been  found  at  iioijIIht  spot  ii|)on  the  globe.  '^I'he  compo- 
nent materials,  accoi'ding  to  the  analysis  of  Mr.  Catlin's 
S])ecinn'ns,  In'  l^r.  Jackson,  of  15oston,  are  as  ibllows: 
"water,  8,4;  silica,  -18,2;  alumina,  28,2;  magnesia,  0,0; 
cai'bonate  of  lime,  2,0;  peroxide  of  iron,  5,0;  oxide  of 
manganese,  0,0."' 

The  Indians  use  the  stone  only  in  the  manufacture  of 
pi])es;  to  apply  it  to  any  other  use  they  esteem  the  most 
unheard-of  sacrilege.  From  the  afhiiitv  of  its  color  to 
that  of  their  own  skins  they  draw  some  fanciful  legend  of 
its  formation,  at  the  time  of  the  great  deluge,  out  of  the 
flesh  of  the  perishing  red  men.  They  esteem  it  one  of  the 
choicest  gifts  of  the  Great  Spirit. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  speeches  of  some  Sioux 
chiefs,  through  whose  village  INfr.  Catlin  passed  on  his  way 
to  the  quarry,  may  serve  to  exemplify  the  veneration  with 
"which  the  stone  was  regarded. 

"You  see,"  said  one,  (holding  a  ved  pipe  to  the  side  of 
his  naked  arm,)  "that  this  pi})e  is  a  part  of  our  flesh. 
The  red  men  are  a  part  of  the  red  stone.  ('How,  how !')" 
an  expression  of  strong  approbation  from  the  auditors, 

"If  the  white  men  take  away  a  piece  of  the  red  pipe- 
stone,  it^  is  a  hole  made  in  our  f!  ih,  and  the  blood  will 
always  run.  We  cannot  stop  the  blood  from  running. 
('How,  howl')  The  Great  Spirit  has  told  us  that  the  red 


1 1 


!i 


I  . 


I  I 


.._J 


TUIHKS  WEST  OK  TlIK  MlSSISSiri'T. 


450 


■] 


Btone  is  only  to  be  iisod  for  ]>ipes,  ami  llnoii'.'li  llioni  wo 
arc  to  smoke  to  liiiii.     ('I low!')" 

Tlio  next  spcukor  prouounccil  ilic  stoin*  1o  ]n>  pi'icclcsH, 
as  it  Wiis  Dia/iciiit'.  Aiiotliei',  nlicf  ;i  |ii'i'limiuar}'  vaunt d' 
liis  own  j)rowcss,  and  worthiness  to  bo  listeiietl  to,  pvo- 
cccded:  "We  love  to  f^o  1o  ihc  I'ipe-Stonc,  and  i^rt  a 
piece  lor  (jur  pi})es;  but  we  ask  tlii>  Grcit  Spirit  lu'st.  If 
tlie  wliite  men  go  tD  it,»tbey  will  take  it  ont,  and  not  lill 
up  the  holes  again,  uiid  the  (Jn^at  S2)irit  will  be  olVendcnl. 
('llov,  how,  bowl')'' 

AiKjllicr — "My  friends,  listen  to  me!  wbat  I  am  to  say 
will  be  li'iitli.  ('  ITow !')  r  bought  a  large  })ieee  of  the  ])i[)e- 
t^tone,  and  gave  it  to  a  wliite  man  to  make  a  |)ipe;  be  was 
our  trader,  and  T  wislied  bim  to  have  a  good  J)ipe.  'Die 
next  time  1  went  to  his  store,  1  Avas  unha])])y  when  1  saw 
tbat  stone  made  into  a  disb!  ('Eugb!') 

"This  is  tbe  way  the  white  men  woubl  use  the  re(l  |)ipe 
stone  if  tlicy  eould  get  it.  Sueli  eonduet  would  offend  tlic 
Great  S])irit,  and  make  a  red  man's  beart  sick.  (MIow, 
bow!')" 

^fany  of  tbe  pipes  in  use  among  tbe  Sioux,  and  formed 
of  tliis  material,  are  sbaped  witb  great  labor  and  nieety, 
and  often  in  very  ingenious  figures.  Those  int(mded  for 
calumets  or  pipes  of  pcaee,  are  gorgeously  decorated,  but 
even  tbose  in  ordinary  use  are  generally  mai\i  as  orna- 
mental as  practicable.  Tbe  cavity  is  drilled  by  -neans  of 
abardstick,  witb  sand  and  Avater;  tbe  outer  form,  with  tbe 
carvings  and  grotesque  figures,  is  worked  witb  a  kniCe. 

Various  narcotic  berbs  and  leaves,  whei-e  tobacco  is  not 
to  be  obtained,  are  used  for  smoking,  under  the  mane  of 
"knick-kniek;"  tbe  same  term  is  used  among  some  south- 
ern Indians  to  denote  a  mixture  of  tobacco  and  sumach 
I'.'aves, 

In  tbe  far  Avest,  botb  among  tbe  Sioux  and  other  wild 
tribes,  as  the  bunt  of  tbe  buffalo  is  by  far  tbe  most  import- 


!i 


l! 


!i<' 


^'^l 


400 


INDIAN    llACKH  OK  AMIilMCA. 


■ .  I-: 


t'    ' 


i. 


a 


>:;i 


ll 


i! 


'iiif,  occupation  (il'tlic  men,  \vc  will  <lcvotcs(tinc  liltlo  sjiaco 
to  a  "Icscriptioii  ()('  the  lniliitsof  the  aiiiniiil,  n\\<\  the  ii;i!ive 
modes  of  j)ui'siiin;^'  and  (K'sti'oyiiii,'  il.  Tlie  hiillalo,  or 
bison  of  Aiiiericii,  is  roiiml  at  the  present  dav  thi'on;jhoiit 
no  small  pol'lion  ol"  the  \;isl  MhSittled  count  r\'  lie!  ween  our 
\vestern  IVontiei'  ;ind  the  iuieky  Mountains,  from  the  south- 
ern parts  ol' TcNjis  to  the  cold  ;Mid  desolate  I'ciiious  of  the 
north,  even  to  latitude  lift  v-li\(' deii-rees.  Nowluu'eare  tliese 
auiimds  more  al»und;int,  oi-  in  a  situation  inoi'c;  citn^cuial 
to  dieii'  increiise,  and  the  development  of  theii'  jxtwers, 
than  in  ihewt'sfern  couutiw  of  the  Sioux.  1  )ui'in,Lj  certain 
seasons  (if  the  ve;ir,  tliev  eon,<:ri'gate  in  immense  hei'ds,  but 
are  L;-euer;dIv  (bisti-ibuteil  ovei'  the  countrv  in  sm;ill  cdm- 
panies,  ^vanderill■^•  about  in  search  dCthe  best  pastura^'e. 

'riiev  have  no  cei'tain  rontin(>  oC  nii,<fration,  although 
tliose  whoso  occujnitiou  lends  to  a  study  of  their  move- 
ments can  in  some  localities  point  out  the  general  course 
of  tlieir  ti-ail;  and  this  uncci'tainly  retuhirs  the  mode  of 
subsistence  depended  U[ion  by  extensive  western  tribes  of 
Indiiins  exceedingly  pi'ecarit)us. 

The  most  valuable  ])ossessions  of  these  races,  aial  the 
most  essential  in  the  jiursuit  oC  the  bullalo,  arc  their  horses. 


Tl 
tei 


lese  nselul  auxiliai'ies  -.we  o 


lie  wild  piaii'U!  breed,  ex^- 
isively  spread  over  the  western  tei-ritory,  the  des(;en(lants 


ongand  li;inl\' 


and  superior  in  speed  to  any  other  of  tlu>  wild  animals  of 
the  prairie.  Xund)ers  of  tluan  are  kept  about  the  enc;nnp- 
ment  of  the  Indians,  hobbled  so  as  to  jirevcnt  their  straying 
away.  Upon  the  open  ])rairie  the  bison  is  generallv  jnii-- 
sued  upon  horseback,  Avitli  the  hucc  and  bow  and  arrow. 
The  short  still"  bow  is  little  calculated  for  accurate  marks- 
manshi]),  or  for  a  distant  shot:  riding  at  full  speed,  the 


1 1 


1 


ndian  generallv  waits 


till 


le  lias  overtaken  Ins  prcn',  and 


discharges  his  iwrow  fi-(jm  the  distance  of  a  few^  feet 


il 


of  those  originally  brought  over  by  the  Spaniaids  in  the     jj 
sixteenth  centui'v.     Tliev  are  small,  but  .str 


II 


I 


■A 


tic  Space 

ic  IKltivO 

illiil*»,  or    ' 

•ou^hoilt  ; 
A'c'tMi  our  ', 
lie  Sdiitli- 
lis  ol'  the  1 
arc  til  CSC  ] 
jonjjri'iiial 

•    jioWiMS, 

ig  ci'iiaiu 

icl'ds,  l)llt 
IKlU  colli- 

■!tiiraji;c. 
altlioiigli 
•ir  iiiuvc- 
•al  coiU'S(3 
mode  of 
ti'ibcs  of 

and  the 
ir  liorscs, 
iiHM'd,  i'\- 
iccudaiits 
I'ds  ill  the 
liai'dy, 

linials  ol' 

ciieaiiip- 

strayiii.g 
[ally  \m\'- 
lid  arrow. 

:e  inarks- 
leed,  the 

|tr(>\',  and 

3et. 


TItlUKS  WKST  or'lIlK  MISSlSSlI'l'l. 


4G1 


'^riu' adiiiiraMc  trainiii,^  ol'lhi!  hoisc,  to  Nvhoiii  the  ridiT 
bi  ohiiijvd  ti)  ^ivc  loos(^  rein  as  lie  a|i|>roaehcs  his  olijrct 
and  ]iir|iiiics  to  iiilliet  the  ilcadly  woiintl,  is  no  less  notice* 
ahli'  than  ihe. spirit  ami  cin'i'^iA'  of  the  I'iilcr. 

Such  is  thi'  llijfc  with  uhirh  the  arrow  is  thrown,  that 
I'cpcatcil  insliiiiccs  are  irlnlrd  nl'  its  coniplt'te  passa^i^o 
thi'ou.L'h  ihc  hiii^c,  l)ody  ol'  tiie  hull'alo,  and  its  exit  upon 
the  opposite  side.  'I'his  iicarajiproach  to  the  jjowerl'iil  and 
inruriatcd  aninial  is  hy  no  means  without  dan;i;'er.  AN 
tliou,!^h  the  horse,  I'rom  iiistineliNc  I'eai'  of  the  bulValo's 
liorns,  sheers  oil'  immediately  upon  passiii]!^'  iiiiii,  it  is  not 
always  done  with  snllieieiit  «piiekiiess  to  avoid  his  stroke. 
'J'he  hunter  is  said  to  he  so  carried  away  by  the  excitement 
and  cxhiiaralion  of  j)ursuit,  as  to  be  apparently  pei-lectly 
j'eekless  ol'  his  own  saCt'ly ;  Irustiiii;-  entirely  to  the  sagacity 
and  ipiiekiiess  of  his  horse  to  Uikv  liim  wut  ui'  the  danger 
into  whii'h  he  is  I'UshiiiL';. 

The  noose,  or  lasso,  use(l  in  catching  wild  horses,  is 
(.)('ten  lel't  ti'ailing  up(;ii  tin;  ground  during  tli>!  chase,  to 
alVonl  the  hunter  an  easy  means  oi'secui'ing  and  remount- 
ing his  hoi'se  in  case  he  should  be  dismounted,  by  the 
attack  of  the  biiilalo  or  otherwise. 

In  the  winter  season  it  is  common  I'oi'the  Indians  of  the 
northern  latiliides  to  drive  the  bulfalo  herds  I'rom  the 
bare  ridges,  whei-c  they  collect  to  feed  upon  the  exposLil 
liei'bnge,  into  the  snow-covered  valleys.  '^Jdie  unwieldy 
beasts,  as  they  flounder  through  the  dril'ts,  are  easily  over- 
taken by  the  hunters,  supported  by  their  snow-shoes,  and 
killed  with  the  lance  or  l)ow.  Another  method,  adoptc*! 
by  the  Tndian.s,  is  to  put  on  the  disguise  of  a  wliitt;  wolf-skin, 
and  steal  unsuspected  among  the  herd,  -where  tliey  can 
select  their  prey  at  leisure.  Pack's  of  wolves  frequently 
follow  the  herds,  to  feed  upon  the  carcasses  of  tlujsi;  that 
perihh,  or  the  remains  left  by  the  hunters.  They  dare  m.t 
attack  them  in  a  body,  and  are  consequently  no  objeels  of 


I  ! 


•„: -.J 


I"!*"? 


■( 


l..t 


If'       '<■ 


E-' 


•i 

'  ri 


■■•M 


462 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AlIEKICA. 


terror  to  the  biifFuloes;  but,  sliould  an  old  or  wounded  an 
imal  be  separated  from  the  eornpany,  they  eolleet  around 
hiin,  and  graduaHv  weary  lihn  out  and  devour  hiin. 

AVhen  buil'alo  are  plenty,  and  the  Indians  have  fair  op- 
portunity, the  most  astonishing;  and  wasteful  slaughter 
ensues.  Besides  i!ie  ordinary  methods  of  destruetion,  the 
custom  of  driving  innncnsc  herds  over  some  preeipitous 
ledge,  where  those  behind  trample  down  and  thrust  over 
the  foremost,  until  hundreds  and  thousands  are  destroyed, 
has  been  often  described. 

Even  at  seasons  in  which  the  fur  is  valueless,  and  little 
besides  a  present  supply  of  food  can  be  obtained  by  de- 
stroying the  animal  which  constitutes  their  sole  resource, 
no  spirit  of  forethought  or  providenrc  restrains  the  wild 
lumters  of  the  prairie.  Mr.  Catlin,  when  at  the  mouth  of 
Teton  river,  Upper  Missouri,  in  1832,  was  told  that  a  few 
days  23revions  to  his  arrival,  a  party  of  Sioux  had  returned 
fmni  a  hunt,  bringing  fourteen  hundred  buftalo  tongues, 
all  that  they  had  secured  of  their  booty,  and  that  these 
were  immediately  traded  away  for  a  few  gallons  of  whiskey. 

This  author  goes,  at  considerable  length,  into  a  calcula- 
tion of  th(.'  causes  now  at  work,  which  must,  in  his  ojnnion, 
necessarily  result  in  the  entire  extinction  of  these  animals, 
and  the  consequent  destitution  of  the  numerous  tribes  that 
derive  supi)ort  from  their  pursuit.  According  to  his  rep- 
resentations, we  "draw  from  that  country  one  hundred  and 
fifty  or  two  hundred  thousand  of  th'^r  robes  annually,  the 
greater  part  of  which  are  taken  from  animals  that  are 
killed  expressly  for  the  robe,  at  a  season  when  the  meat  is 
not  cured  and  preserved,  and  lor  each  of  which  skins  the 
Indian  has  received  but  a  ])int  of  whiskey! 

Such  is  the  i'aet,  and  that  number,  or  near  it,  are  annu- 
ally destroyed,  in  addition  to  the  number  that  is  necessarily 
killed  for  the  subsistence  of  three  hundred  thousand  In* 
dians,  who  live  entirely  upon  them." 


'.  »♦! 


TRIBEIS  WEST  OF  THE  M  1,^,-1;  .qPTI. 


-it;3 


Wlicn  this  cxtcnninatiuii  sluill  luivc  tiikoii  pliK'(>,  if,  in- 
deed, it  should  take  place  before  otlier  eaiiscs  sluiU  have 
annihilated  the  Indian  nations  of  the  west,  it  is  dilficultto 
conceive  to  what  these  will  resort  for  subsistence.  Will 
the}^  gradually  perish  IVoni  sheer  destitution,  or,  as  has 
been  predicted,  will  they  be  driven  to  violence  and  plunder 
upon  our  western  frontier? 


CHArXER  IV. 


INDIANS    OF  THE    CnEAT  WESTERN    PRAIRIES THEIR    STTIMMER  AND 

WINTER    LODGES — THE    MEDICINE-BAG THE  CHOWS  AND  BLACK- 
FEET RACES    HOSTILE  TO  THE   LATTER  TRIBE FORTITUDE  OF 

A  BLACKFOOT  WARRIOR THE  CROW  CHIEF  ARAPOOISH  AND 

HIS  GUEST INDIAN  CONCEPTIONS  OF  A  PEliFECT  COUNTRY 

STORY  OF  LORETTO  AND  HIS  INDIAN  WIFE ADVEN- 

TURES  OF  KOSATO,  A  BLACKFOOT  WARRIOP. 


'il 


Upon  the  Yellowstone,  and  about  the  head-waters  of 
the  ]\Iissouri,  the  most  noted  tribes  arc  the  Crovrs  and 
Blackfeet.  Bordering  upon  them  at  the  north  and  north- 
cast,  arc  their  enemies,  the  OJibbeways,  Knistcneaux,  and 
Assinaboins,  of  some  of  whom  brief  mention  has  been 
made  in  former  chapters.  In  ISC-i  the  Blackfeet  were 
computed  to  number  over  thirty  thousand,  but  when  the 
small-pox  swept  over  the  western  country,  in  ISoS^  they 
were  frightfully  reduced.  By  the  returns  of  1850,  they 
were  represented  as  amounting  to  about  thirteen  thousand. 

As  these  Indians  are  among  the  farthest  removed  fi'om 
the  contaminating  influence  of  the  whites,  and  as  the 
prairie  abounds  in  all  that  is  requsite  for  their  subsistence, 
viz:  horses  and  buffalo,  tliey  ])rcsent  fine  specimens  of  the 
a])original  nice.     They  arc  of  manly  j)roportions,  active, 


'*, 


tfijf 


rm 


i 


II 


~-.r, 


404 


INDIAN''  JJACKS  OI''  A^IKIllCA. 


-i'l 


'f'.  ■ 


'••i 


i!:|  ^W; 


ii 


I 


and  capable  of  great  endurance :  tlieir  dress  is  particularly 
comfortable  and  ornamental,  bcdoclvcd  witli  all  lli(.'  em- 
broidery and  fringes  cliaracteristie  of  sa\age  finery. 

Tlie  style  of  dress,  dwellings,  means  of  subsistence,  kc, 
among  the  Indians  of  the  western  prairies,  is  in  many  re- 
spects so  similar,  that  we  shall  only  avoid  wearisome 
repetition  by  omitting  minute  descriptions  in  s])eaking  of 
the  different  ti'ibts. 

The  sunnner  lodge,  necessai'ily  made  moveable  to  suit 
their  migratory  habits,  is  a  teJit  of  buffalo-skins,  supported 
by  2)ine  poles  brought  from  the  distant  mountains.  These 
skins  are  neatl}^  and  substantially  stitched  together,  and 
often  highly  pahited  and  ornaniented.  The  tent  is  trans- 
ported by  tying  the  poles  in  two  Inindles,  the  small  ends 
of  which,  bound  together,  are  hung  over  the  shoulders  of  a 
horse,  while  the  butts  trjiil  upon  the  ground,  loaded  with 
the  A\'eight  of  the  skins  and  other  paraiDhernalia  of  the 
lodge.  The  dogs  are  also  pressed  into  the  same  service, 
and  loaded,  in  much  the  same  manner,  Avith  as  large  a 
load  as  they  can  carry. 

IMie  cold  winter  is  passed  in  some  spot  protected  by 
high  bluffs  or  heavy  timber,  either  in  these  skin  lodges, 
or  in  rude  wigwams  of  logs. 

It  is  among  these  remote  races  that  we  may  still  see 
many  of  the  ancient  superstitious  observances  (formerly, 
with  slight  variation,  common  to  nearly  the  whole  popu- 
lation (jf  the  west,)  retained  with  all  their  original  solem- 
nity. One  of  the  most  singular  and  universal  is  the 
preparation  of  o  "mcdiciiic-bag,"  which  every  man  carries 
with  him  upon  all  occasions,  as  being  intricatelj*  invc^lved 
with  Ills  own  safetv  and  success  in  war,  huntinsr,  or  anv  of 
the  occupations  of  life.  At  about  the  age  of  pubert}'  the 
Indian  boy  bethinks  himself  of  taking  the  necessary  steps 
for  the  preparation  of  this  mysterious  amulet  or  charm, 
lie  I'ctires  to  some  solitar}'-  spot,  where  he  spends  several 


i| 


1! 


^ll 


1! 


tu'.uTui'ly    :  I 

tlic  eia-    ' ' 

I 

'■-'•    .      ! 

'UCC,  cVC,      I 

I 

luiny  vc-  j 
carisome  ; 
aking  of     \ 

0  to  suit 
nppovtcd 
..  Tliose 
:licr,  and 
,  is  trans- 
iiall  cuds 
Idev^;  of  fi 
idcd  with 
ia  of  tiio 
3  service, 
s  lar.Q-e  a 


;ected  by 
11  lodges, 

still  see 
[forraerly, 
pic  popu- 
al  solcm- 


]S 


tl 


10 


111  carries 


hnv 


olved 
of 


)r  anv 


Dcrty  tlie 
ary  steps 
cliarm. 


sever 


■  1 


ul 


I     <• 


f^' 


nu 


■w- 


•:^l^ 


i: 


i 


.i.y 


i: 


V  ■  1,      1.     '. . 


^'y^  -    'III'  .       i'   ' 


!  m 


1 1 


I 


THIBE3  WKST  OF  THE  MI^'--'l ••.-qiM'l.  -l'!". 

(I;i3"s,  lying  upon  llio  giMMud,  tiiking  un  no'ii'i  'iMiKnt,  i^inl 
employed  in' continiuil  lervtMiL  iiivo^'ut'  •!:.;  to  t!;"  (iicul: 
Spirit.  Falling  asleep  in  this  eonditi'M!,  ]"-.  i-ic!  ••  p:!ii;>-.ii- 
];ii'ly  \\'h;it  I'ii'd  or  luiiiiinl  lli-.-t  oe'-iirrc  1  to  lii^  liiind  in 
dream's.  J!o  tlien  I'diin:.^  lioni^',  a!'  1.  aCiei'  rv^'i'niiiiig  1,1:-! 
strengtli,  busies  himsell'  in  llu'  j'Mivnit  (A'  t'.o  ere;ilnie 
until  he  has  secured  a  s[ieeinien.  TI:'.;  a''eo;i'pli,'l!ed,  he. 
dresses  the  skin,  stulls  it  wilh  in;..-  oi'  :-:'ine  olhor  li'jht 
substaneo,  and  devotes  his  atleiiti'in  to  b'deckiu'/  it  \vi;!i 
the  most  elaborate  ornMni'.'nt. 

This  medicine-bag  ean  bo  p>roeuved  ;;^  no  ]->ri''e,  ami  the 
loss  of  il,  even  in  the  heat  of  battl(\  is  a  si'iiial  di.-"i"ae<\ 
only  to  be  wiped  out  bj'  the  sca/aire  of  ;i  similar  charm 
friini  a  slaught(}red  enciiiy,  ''Those  curioes  a])pe,:id:!ges.'' 
says  Callin,  "to  the  persons  oi-  wai-di'dli'.^  of  an  Indian,  jire 
sometimes  made  of  the  sldu  of  ;inoti'T.  a  boav-.r,  a  musk 
rat,  a  veazel,  a  racoon,  a  }«)le-eat,  a  s'.i:d<(\  a.  fj"o;r,  a  to;i,d, 
a  bat,  a  mouse,  a  mole,  a  Liavok,  an  <.agle,  a  m;igpie,  or  a 
sparrow; — sometimes  of  the  skin  of  an  animal  so  large  as 
a  wolf;  and  at  others,  of  tlie  skins  of  th;>  lesser  animals, 
so  small  that  tliey  arc  bidden  und;  r  ih.e  dress,  and  \'ery 
diiVieult  to  be  found,  oven  if  Sv.areh;d  ibr." 

The  strange  and  hideous  eonjur:i*i' ns  of  th.e  medieine- 
men  or  necromancers,  -who  perform  th^ir  cen  Tnoni<-s  about 
tlie  sick  or  dying  with  a  view  to  tU-'ir  rdief,  n);iY  be  hero 
seen  in  their  utmost  extravagance. 

The  Crows  are  far  inferior  in  numbers  to  the  rdr.ek'f'ct, 
witli  whom  they  are  en,e;agi:d  in  ])(n-|'.etiial  w;irfu'e.  'Jhey 
inhabit  the  country  adja.eent  to  the  Y<'llowston.e,  as  f:ir 
westward  as  the  foot  of  the  Iick  ley  Mountains.  ''Jhcy  a.io 
a  line  race,  physically  spe;d:ing;  their  average  height  is 
greatly  beyond  that  of  any  of  the  laaghboring  tribes,  and 
they  are  models  of  activity  and  strength,  'i^hcy  have  be  ii 
eharactcrized  as  a  lawless,  thieving  horde  of  savages  ;  but 
those  best  acquainted  with  their  chari'.eter  and  d; ;]  osiiion, 
80 


h;* 


1 1 


1 1 


I  ; 
I  I 


it  I 

'Ml 


Mm 


i 


t   I 


'i.«iv''.I 

m 


4 


I  --^ 


#  ' 


^ 


:L:r*r^ 


II 
i! 


i  I 


dOG 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


spcnlc  of  them  as  honest  and  trust-wortliy,  and  excuse 
tlio  depredations  of  wliicli  tlioy  have  from  time  to  time 
been  guilt}^,  as  having  generally  resnlted  from  gross  pro- 
vocation. From  whatever  cause,  and  v/hichever  race  may 
liave  been  the  most  in  fault,  it  is  certain  that  the  two 
wild  tribes  of  which  we  are  now  speaking  have  been,  irom 
the  earliest  periods  in  which  Europeans  have  })cnetrated 
their  tci'ritory,  objects  of  tornu'  to  traders  and  trap])ers. 

(,)ne  distinguishing  peculiarity  of  these  Indians,  is  the 
extraordinary  length  ol'  their  hiiir,  v/hich  is  cherished  and 
cullivated  as  an  ornanuMit,  until  it  sweeps  the  ground  after 
them.  This  profusion  is  to  be  seen  in  no  tribe  except  the 
Crows,  although  some  of  their  neighbors  endeavor  to  imi- 
tate it,  by  glueing  an  additional  length  to  their  natural  hair. 

The  Crows  speak  a  dilfei-ent  language  from  the  Black- 
feet,  and,  as  we  have  mentioned,  ai'c  continually  at  war 
with  that  tribe.  They  only  number  about  four  thousand, 
and  ai'c  consequently  at  great  disadvantage  iu  these 
hostilities.  , 

The  smaller  ]\Iinitari  tribes,  between  the  mouth  of  the 
"^'ellowstone  and  tiie  site  of  th.o  ]\[amhxn  villages,  and  the 
extensive  nation  of  the  Gros  Wiitres,  inhabitin<j;  the  east- 
crn  slope  of  the  l\ocky  M(.)Uiitains,  sj^eak  the  same  lan- 
guage with  the  Crows,  or  one  very  nearly  allied  to  it.  The 
Arapahocs,  numbering  some  three  thousand,  and  dwelling 
about  the  sources  of  the  Platte  and  Aj'kansas  rivers,  belong 
to  \\\v.  race  of  the  Blackfeet. 

The  lattt;r  nation,  besides  their  enemies  at  the  East,  have 
had,  from  an  indefmite  period,  to  contend  with  the  Flat- 
head and  other  tribes  still  fai'ther  westward.  The  descent 
of  these  remoto  bands  upon  the  ])lains  in  pursuit  of  buffalo, 
has  e>ver  been  deemed  by  the  Blackfeet  a  signal  infringe- 
ment of  their  rights,  and  fierce  battles  often  result  irom 
the  eonflicting  claims  of  the  rival  nations.  Although 
other  I'-ame  abounds  in  the  mountain  districts  inhabited 


1  n 


I  ! 


1  I 


.J 


^..sjm 


excuse 

to  time 

OSS  pro- 

ico  may 

the  two    I 

'11,  from     1 

'  ,      ! 

nctratL'Cl    i 

ppers.         j 

s,  is  tlio    ' 

;licd  and 

md  aCtor 

Lccp*:  tlic 

r  to  iini- 

iral  liair. 

c  rduck- 

ly  at  \var 

houj^and, 

ill    tlicso 

til  of  tLc 
and  the 
the  east- 
lame  lan- 
t.     The 
idwelling 
s,  bcloiiii; 


list,  l\avo 

he  Fhit- 

desecnt 

bud'alo, 

|i  11  frill  gc- 

ult  from 

LllllOUgll 

iihahitcd 


!  I 


1 1 


II 


i  I 


TRIIJES  WEST  OF  THE  MISSISSIIM'T. 


4G7 


by  some  of  these  tribes,  nothing  possesses  such  attractions 
for  ihoin  as  the  buftalo-liunt,  and  they  are  ready  to  incur 
any  })cril  rather  than  rehnquisli  this  favorite  [lursuit. 

The  Nez-Perecs  or  Pierced-Nose  Indians,  the  FLatdicaJs, 
and  the  Pends  Oreilles  or  Hanging  Ears,  of  tlie  Kocky 
Mountains  and  tlicir  western  sh)pes,  and  of  tlie  ])hrms 
(b'ainedby  the  sources  of  the  Columbia,  are  at  continual  and 
(ladly  feud  with  the  Blackfect.  These  latter  seem,  indeed, 
to  liave  their  hands  against  every  man,  with  the  exceittion 
of  their  kindred  Arapahoes,  to  whom  they  make  periodi- 
cal visits  of  friendship. 

Of  the  skirmishes  between  war-parlies  of  these  hostile 
tribes,  their  foraj'S  into  each  other's  territory,  and  the  ex- 
ploits of  their  most  redoubted  warriors,  nuuiy  striking 
tales  are  told  by  the  traders  and  trappers  who  visit  these 
remote  regions.  In  }>\\\  Ii'ving's  admirable  publication, 
"The  iVdventures  of  Captain  P>onneville,  U.  S.  A.,  in  tlie 
Rocky  ^Mountains  and  the  Far  West,"  arranged  in  the  form 
of  interesting  and  pleasing  narrative,  from  the  captain's 
manuscripts  and  other  sources,  are  details  of  various  inci- 
dents illustrative  of  the  character  and  habits  of  these  tribes, 
so  told  as  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  reade'r,  and  to  leave 
a  vivid  impression  upon  the  mind. 

In  Cox's  "Adventures  on  the  Columbia  River,"  fright- 
ful descriptions  are  given  of  the  cruelties  practiced  by 
the  riat-heads  u})on  some  Blackfoot  prisoners  wdio  liad 
i'allen  into  their  hands.  Such  proceedings  appeared  utterly 
variant  from  llie  natural  disposition  of  tho<o  Indians,  and 
only  serve  to  show  lo  wdiat  lengths  usage,  a  spirit  of  re- 
taliation, and  natural  antiputhy,  may  carry  a  people  whose 
ii'eneral  character  is  gentle  and  kindly. 

The  author  particularly  describes  the  endurance  of  one 
of  the  Blackfoot  braves,  u})on  whom  every  sjiecies  of  teu-- 
turc  was  tried  in  vain  attempts  to  overcome  his  fortitude. 


lie  exulted  over  his  tormentors,  vaunt 


ng  his  own  deeds 


m 


M 

1; 
ywiL . 


/  A 
■'A 


y%€r' 


r  ^m\\ 


#3 


4G8 


1M)1AN    If.U'KS   dl'  AMKIMCA. 


'.Ml  , 


I  I 


I  I 


I  I 


in  tlio  foll()\viii,[^  lanc^nngo:  '"My  luMil  is  strong. — You 
ilo  not  Inirt  nu;. — '^''oii  c'liri.  bnit  iiu'.  ^'ou  ai'c  fools. — • 
Y<m  do  not  know  Imw  to  tditiirc.  - -Ti-y  il  ag'ain. — I  don't 
JicI  any  pain  yc;t. — Wc  toi'tni\'  your  i-chitions  a  great  deal 
b('it(M',  bccansi>  -wo  niako  tluMn  rvy  out  loud,  like  litlle 
eliildron. — Yon  anniol  bi'aw^;  yon  have  small  liearts,  and 
you  aro  always  afraid  to  figlit.'  'J'Jien,  addressing  one  in 
j)artienlar,  he  said,  'It  was  by  in}-  an-ow  you  lost  your 
eye;'  upon  wliieli  the  Flat-head  darted  at  him,  and  with  a 
knife,  in  a  moment  .seoojied  out  one  of  his  eyes;  at  tlio 
same  time,  entting  the  bridge  of  his  nose  nearly  in  two. 
This  did  not  stop  him:  with  the  remaining  eye  he  looked 
sternly  at  anotlier,  and  said,  "I  killed  yiur  brothei-,  and  I 
sealped  your  old  fool  of  a  falhei-.'  The  warrior  to  whom 
this  was  uddi'essed  instantly  s[)]-ung  ."t  him,  and  severed  the 
sealp  from  his  head." 

^riie  ehief  restrained  this  enraged  warrior  from  termin 
ating  the  suflerings  of  the  vietim  l)}^  a  blow;  but  was,  him- 
self, immediately  afterwards  so  exasperated  by  his  taunts 
and  insults,'that  he  could  not  withhold  his  own  hand,  and 
shot  the  ma.ngled  wjvteh  through  the  heai't. 

Of  the  Crow  character,  a  very  singular  trait  is  exhibited 
in  an  adventure  of  a  ]U)>.ed  ti'ap])ei',  ]\lr.  Eobert  Campbell, 
as  given  in  Mr.  Irving s  work,  above  mentioned.  This 
traveller  was  upon  one  occasion  hospitably  entertained  by 
tlu^  celebrated  Crow  chief,  Arapooish,  in  whose  tent  he 
had  deposited  a  large  bundle  of  valuable  furs.  The  grcaU>r 
]>art  of  his  stores  was  buried  in  the  ground  for  safety. 

The  old  chief  ascertained,  during  Campbell's  stay,  tliat 
his  guest  had  made  a  "cache,"  (the  Fj'eneh  term  a]i])licd  to 
such  places  of  conf-calment,)  and  that  some  of  his  own 
tribe  had  discovered  and  plundei'cd  it.  The  number  of 
bi\iver-skins  stol(;n  was  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

Arapooish  immediately  assembled  all  the  men  of  tliG 
village,  and  after  making  a  speech,  in  which  he  vehemently 


1 1 


1 1 


ig  one  111 


u  tennin 


II 


:i 


I 


TlUnES  WEST  OF  •|'IIK  MISSISSI  IM'I.  -109 

flcc'laiiiu'd  ;i,L;;;iiiis(,  tlu'if  biul  liiitli  towiirds  lli(>  slrun^^ri', 
voAVod  tliiit  lie  would  iicillu'r  toiU'Ii  lixid  nor  drii  Ic  until 
(•oni|ili'te  restoration  should  lie  made      Wo  then  tonk  his 


tscvit.  willi  tilt'  Irai 


n  his  w  nj'uain,  a'.Kl  awaitec 


1 


d  ll 


l("     I'c- 


snU,  desirin,^  his  coinpanion  to  make   no  remarks  il'  t' 
I  kins  w<M'e  bi'ou,ii,ht,  ])\\t  simply  t(;  kcej)  account  of  tl 


icm. 


^Foro  than  a  hiindi'cd  of  the  stcjleii  articles  were  bron-jht 
in  before  night,  but  uot\vit!istanding('amj»l)eirsexpressi()i:s 
of  satisfaetion,  tlie  old  Indian  would  ncithei'  eat  nor  drink- 
throuuhout  that  niuiit  aial  the  next  daw    TIk' sh'ins  slt)\vl\- 


mat 


le  tl 


leir 


a])] 


)earancc 


(( 


one  a 


nd  two  at  a  tim(>  throui/li- 


out  the  day;   until  hut  a  few  were  wanting  to  make  th 
nundj)er  eomjilete.     Camphcll  was  now  anxious  to  [lut 


an 


end  to  this  fastinu'  of  the  old  chief  and 


av.'iin  ( 


JK'   w;is 
nmuhci 


|)erfectly   satisfied.      Ar;i] 


HM)i>li    (IcmaiK 


leclarc(l  that 
led    wh;it 


A\  ll!Sl>ei'(M 


•P 


.f  sk 
(1  to 


ins  were  yet  Avanting. 
some  of  his  ix'oolc,  who  i 


( )\\  being  t(jld 
lisaDDearcMl 


Aft 


er 


a,  tune  the  number  were  bronghl  m,  though  it  was  evident 
th(\y  wi've  not  any  of  the  skins  that  hatl  been  stolen,  but 
otlaM's  ifleaned  in  tlie  A'illau'e." 

Arapooisli  then  broke  his  fast,  and  gave  his  guest  jnuch 
A\  holesomc  advice,  eharging  him  ;d\vays,  when  lie  visited 
51  Crow  village  to  })ut  himself  and  his  goods  under  protec- 
tion of  iho  chief.  Of  Cam|ibell's  conelu-^ions  upon  the 
chai'act(M'  of  the  race,  ^[r.  Irving  savs:  "  lie  has  cversince 
niainlained  that  the  Crows  are  not  so  bhiek  as  they  ]n\\G 
been  ])ainled.  'Trust  to  their  honor,'  says  he,  'and  you 
an;  safe;  trust  to  their  honesty,  and  they  will  steal  tho 
hair  oif  your  head,'" 

Tho  manner  in  which  old  Arapooish  enlarged  upon  tho 
natural  advantages  of  the  Crow  country  in  conversation 
with  Mr.  Campbell  is  too  ([uaint  to  be  passed  over.  He 
averred  that  it  was  located  in  precisely  the  right  s])ot  for 
the  security  of  all  that  was  desirable  in  life,  and  the  avoid- 
ance of  its  usual  trials  and  wants.     He  enlarged  upon  the 


;•  I 


.vf? 


s.' 


*i 


4 


J 

1 


470 


INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AMEUICA. 


cold  of  tlio  Tiortli,  where  do^.s  must  tiiko  tlic  jilacc  of  horses; 
andu}ion  tlicbarrcii  :i  11(1  aril  1  i  plains  of  1  ho S(juth,re[)lcte  with 
pcstileiiiiul  vapors.  At  the  west,  lu>  .<ai<l,  "Hn  i1h«  ('olmii- 
bia,  they  are  ])(jor  and  dii'l)',  jiadille  aliout  in  eaiines,  and 
eat  lish.  '.riieir  teeth  are  woni  onl ;  tliey  ai'e  always  lak- 
in<^  fish-boiies  out  ol'tlieir  mouths.     J' ish  is  ]ioor  food, 

"To  the  cast,  they  dwell  iu  villages;  they  live  well ;  but 
they  drink  the  muddy  watt-r  of  the  Missouri — that  i.s  bad. 
A  Crow's  dosj  would  not  di'iuk  sueh  water. 

"About  the  forks  of  the  ^lissouri  is  a  line  country;  good 
water;  good  grass;  plenty  of  buffalo.  In  summer  it  is 
almost  as  good  as  the  Ci'ow  country;  but  iu  ^\i!^t(n'  it  is 
cold;  the  grass  is  gone;  and  tlu  re  is  no  salt-weed  for  the 
hoi'ses."' — {IJniiit.  ri//r\i  Ji/n  )iUircs.) 

'J'lien  followed  an  eulhusiastic  enumeration  of  the  bless- 
ings enjoyed  by  the  (Vows;  the  variety  of  climate;  the 
abundance  of  game;  the  Aviiiter  resources  for  man  and 
beast;  and  the  relief  from  the  heat  of  summer  afforded  by 
the  cool  breezes  and  fresh  spi'ings  of  the  mountains. 

In  a  former  chapter,  we  have  devoted  some  little  .«!])ace 
to  illustrations,  from  Mi-.  Catliu's  letters,  of  the  strength  of 
])arental  aHection  among  the  AVestern  Indians,  ]nu'tienlarly 
the  Sioux:  in  llie  work  last  cited  ai'c  nnnuM'ous  anecdotes 
exemplifying,  in  a  manner  equally  forcible,  the  enduring 
and  powerful  attachment  olleii  nolii:ea1)le  between  the 
sexes;  and  this  not  only  among  the  Indians  aloni',  but 
where  they  have  intermarried  with  wdiites. 

One  of  these  instances  was  as  follows :  "  Among  the  free 
trappers  in  the  Roel-cy  ^lountain  band  was  a  spirited  young 
Mexican,  named  Loretto;  Avho,  in  the  course  of  his  wan- 
derings, had  ransomed  a  beautiful  Blackfoot  girl  from  a 
band  of  Crows,  by  whom  she  had  been  ca])tured.  lie  made 
her  his  wdfe,  after  the  Indian  style,  and  she  had  followed 
his  fortunes  ever  since  with  the  most  devoted  affection." 

The  company,  one  day,  fell  in  with  a  numerous  party 


7] 
t 


■  a 


rUIlJKS  WEST  OF  THK   MlSSli-SlPPI. 


171 


I  ! 


of  Blfickfoot  warrior?,  ami  11i''  iM-'']liiiiiiarv  ?ti'>-!  were 
taken  for  a  parley,  and  for  siiiMl^in;;-  llic  ciiln!!!'  1,  in  t"krn 
of  peace,  ivtthisinonirnt,  !,i>i'ctn)'s  Indinn  will-  [irf.'civMl 
licr  own  brotlior  among  tlio  \>n\\<\.  "l/>'a\inL>;  ln'i-  inliuit, 
■with  Loretto,  slu;  riisluMl  n,rw;ii'(l  ;iii'l  llir^w  Ii'm-iK'  n|>Mn 
lier  l>rollier's.iieek;  wlm  eliisp(Ml  his  h)n</-lo«t  si.-irr  lo  \ua 
heart,  witli  a  warmth  of  afleetion  1>nt  little  eoni})atilil('  with 
the  rcpnti'd  stoicism  c^f  the  sa\'a;'i'." 

^feaiiwhile,  lli'idj:;!^,  oin'  (»!'  the  trapj'cr  K'adri's,  np- 
proacliing  the  lUaekR'f't,  (Voni  an  imprudent  exci-ss  of 
caution,  cocked  his  rifle  just  as  he  came  up  with  them, 
'^riu!  Indian  chief,  who  was  in  tlie  act  of  prolli  I'ini^  a 
friendly  salutation,  heard  the  click  (tfthe  lock,  and  all  his 
native  fury  and  suspicion  wrrc  instantly  aroused,  lie 
pprang  upon  Bridger,  forecil  the  niu:',/.le  of  tli"  rillc  into 
the  ground,  where  it  was  discharged,  knockiMl  him  down, 
seized  Ins  horse,  and  rode  off,  A  general,  hut  disord(>i'ly 
fight  ensued,  during  which  T.orctto's  wifl'  was  hurried 
away  b}'  her  relations. 

The  nol)le  young  ^Lcxi'-an  saw  her  in  their  jiowei-,  vaiidy 
entreating  permission  to  return,  and,  regardless  of  the 
danger  incurred,  at  once  hn^:tcncd  to  her  side,  and  restored 
the  child  to  its  mother.  The  lilaekfeet  liraves  admired  his 
boldness,  and  respected  the  conndence  whidi  he  had  re- 
posed in  them  by  thus  venturing  in  th.  ir  midst,  l.'ut  they 
were  deaf  to  all  the  prayers  of  himsidf  and  his  wife  that 
they  might  remain  tog(>ther.  1  Fe  was  dismissed  unharmed, 
but  the  woman  and  child  were  detained. 

iS'ot  many  months  afterwards  the  faithful  Lon^tto  [>ro- 
cured  his  discharge  from  the  company  in  whose  service  he 
was  enlisted,  an-^  followed  his  wife  to  her  own  country. 
A  hai)py  reunion  took  place,  and  tlu^  loving  pair  took  up 
their  residence  at  a  tradingdiouse  among  the  Blackfeet, 
where  the  husband  served  as  interpreter  between  the  In- 
dians and  white  traders. 


I 


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ii 


1 1 


ii 


1 1 


'172 


INDIAN    KACLri  Ol  AMKKU'A. 


Aiiotlur  tul(!  (»!'  IimIj.iii  Imvc  ;iiiil  ri\ali'y  is  tliat  of  a 
'Hlackfoot  wat'iMor,  luiincd  Kosuto,  rosidiii^^  aiiiwii,L,f  tlic 
Noz-Porci's  wUoii  lliat  tii])t!  was  visited  by  IJoniifvillo. 

IIo  liad  fallru  ill  low  with  tin.'  wife  of  a  cliicl' oC  his  own 
ti'ibc,  uiid  iiis  allL'tlJoii  was  ivtunioi].  Accol•(.lill.^■  to  his 
own  positive  a.-scvi;ratiuiis,  ulthou^^li  they  "talh'd  tti'jvih- 
i!t'---hiu,^hcd  to.(i'thcr — and  were  always  siH'kiu.Li;  earh 
oflicf's  soc'iet}',"  they  were  "as  innocent  as  childivn." 

Tlie  jvj.doiisy  ol'  the  liusbarid  was  at  hist  ctnijil'ti  ly 
aroused,  and  he  visited  his  vengeance  u[Am  boLli  iheoflend- 
iti;^'  jvirtit'S.  The  wile  was  cruelly  beaten,  and  slcrnlv  bid 
not  even  lo  b.;  iow  a  lt)oh  U|u»i  Kosato,  wliile  the  youth 
liinisi-'lf  sullered  tlio  h)ss  ol'  all  his  horses,  upon  which  the 
ehieriiad  seized.  Maddened  witli  love  and  revenge,  Kos- 
ato  v/aiU'd  jiiri  opportunity;  slew  the  object  of  his  liati-; 
and  liastened  to  entreat  his  mistress  to  fly  with  him.  At 
ilrst  she  only  wept  bitterly,  but  llnally,  overcome  by  his 
j^crsuasions,  and  the  promptings  of  her  own  aiteetion,  '-he 
forsook  her  people,  and  sought,  with  her  lovei',  an  asylum 
among  the  peaceful  and  kindly  Ne/.-l'ereLS. 

Ivosato  was  foremost  in  rousing  up  a  warlike  and  manly 
spirit  among  the  tribe  of  his  adoption,  but  he  found  the 
disposition  of  his  new  allies  far  dillerent  from  that  of  the 
hot-blooded  .Blackfeet  and  Crows.  "They  are  good  and 
land,"  said  he  to  IjcuiiKwille;  "they  are  lu)nest;  but  their 
hearts  are  the  liearls  of  women.'' 

From  these  and  numberless  similar  talcs,  it  is  suincicntly 
(vldentthiit  the  cloak  of  reserve  in  which  the  Indian  wra})S 
himself  from  the  scrutiny  of  strangers,  covers  passions  and 
aCIections  as  fieiy  and  impetuous  as  arc  to  be  witnessed  in 
more  dcmonsti'ative  races. 


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^^  ■ 


:  -".fc  •  ■ 


/  //  /,    /;  /  .s  ()  ,\' 

fil.\KUAI,l,\      CAI.I.KII      rilK     nil   lAI.O. 

'I'llli:  liiim'  iiiilMiHh.  wliiiM'  Kfiiniil  (•liiilDiiimlinn  In  ,ii'i-niiil»'ly  ii'iiicfnilcd  iii  Itip  iilmvi) 
Bkftcli,  wiindur  in  IumhIs  nr  c^llml(■^.1  iuiimIm'i^,  over  Hit' wildiiiii'ss  ii(i(t  piaincs  dC  llie 
far  \\\-M.  Ah  khuu;  lhr\  arc  iiivahialilc  Id  llii'  liidiaiis,  liulli  liir  Ihi'ir  IIcmIi  and  lliu  skins 
which  furm  «i)  cunsidt-rahic  iiii  ailjcli'  nl'  liiillic  in  thi-  tcnviis  iil'  Ihi-  Kuhi. 

Thf  l)isi)n»  scallfi'  wiih'ly  over  llii'  piiaiicn  wliiMi  fi'i'diiji,-,  linl  wlicn  thi-y  takt;  up  liicil- 
liue  of  march,  u|)iin  tlifir  pt'i-iodical  niiicnuionsi,  Itic  whole  herd  proceeds  in  a  cuinpacl 
mass,  otreriiiif  an  vrwy  opportunity  for  the  most  wa^^l  Inl  :*laiii,diter. 

Tlio  animal  was  foitnerly  foujid  us  far  Kiist  as  llie  Hudson  river,  and  Morton  -pe.iku  of 
liie  dcscriptiou*  given  liy  tlie  Indians  of  ••;,'reat  hi^arda  of  well  i,;iuwne  IjcMSts  iliai  U«e 
nbuiit  llie  pin»  of  this  lake  (.Ontario),  micii  a^  ih«  Christian  world  ^untile  thi-  diStoiti.M 
hHlh  not  been  msde  ucfjiiainted  with." 


••'1  FPfSi 

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TH  R     G  tilZX  I.Y    H  F.Jl  R. 

No  animal,  upon  the  whule  conliiient  nf  Aiiicriuu,  is  so  dntigeruiis  tiiid  iKniCiiiUH  us  tlie 
one  here  dopicted.  M.  Boitni'd,  iu  \m  »  Pmitli*;on  Popiilaire,"  u  dcsicripliou  ut'  tbe  ani- 
mula  of  tln!  Jiirdin  des  Pinnies,  IVuin  which  work  tin'  hIxivc  skidcli  Is  tiikon,  siiys:  "The 
grizzly  beiir  Joins  to  the  slii|)idlty  of  the  hi'iir  Ilm  Iciijcity  iif  the  jiii^iinr,  iXw  couriige  of 
the  tigur,  and  the  strength  of  thi'  lion.  Of  solitary  Iwiliits,  like  other  s|)eci('s  of  liis  nice, 
he  roiims  over  the  vast  Indian  ti'rriiory  of  the  North-west,  inhabited  by  the  wandering 
nations  of  the  Back-Feet,  Nes  Forces,  Kiinsiis,  Crows,  &.c." 

Astonishing  tales  are  told  of  the  itnuligious  strcnglh,  and  iinpliiciible  fury  of  this  ani 
mal.    The  huge  bison  is  helpless  in  his  grasp,  and  it  is  n  common  saying  that,  if  a  hunter 
comes  within  his  reach,  one  of  the  two  must  die.    The  Indian  hunters  display  great  cour- 
age and  resolution  in  the  pursuit  of  this  terrible  enemy;  an  underiaking  entered  upon 
rattMr  from  priJ^and  the  hope  of  renown  than  from  expectation  of  profit. 


Vi 

■'■i 

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I . 


TRIBES  WEST  OF  THE  MlSSlSSim.  473 

CHAPTER  V. 

TRIBES  ON  THE  COLTTMlilA  A.N'l)  ITS  Tiiir.DTARIKS — TIIR   NEZ-PKRCfiS 

THKIR    KKIJGKiUS   CirAl'vAimCH THE  WALLA-WALLAS — THE 

CIIINOOKS ilIODK    OF    Fl,ATTE\l.\(f    THE    HEAD — THE 

COTOqUK — CA.\OKS    OF     THE    Tl!ir.i:s     ON    THE 
LOWER  WATERS  OF  THE  t  OLU.AIIHA — FISH- 
ING— H()i;S!;S    OF  THE  i"LA'L-Hi;ADS. 

TiiK  })riiicipal  tribe  dwelling  widiiu  tlie  vast  ampitlicatre 
drained  by  the  Koo.skooske,  westward  from  the  Blackfoot 
countr}',  and  across  the  liocky ^Mountains,  is  tliat  of  the 
Nez-Perces  or  Pierced-Nose  Indians.  Proceeding  down 
the  river,  we  fnid  nnnicrous  tribes,  known,  collectively,  as 
Flat-heads,  although  the  physical  peculiarit}^  from  which 
they  derive  their  name  is  by  no  means  universal. 

Upon  the  main  southern  branch,  the  Lewis  Folk  of  the 
Columbia,  or  Snake  river,  dwell  the  Shoshonecs,  or  Snake 
Indians,  a  race  perhaps  more  widely  disseminated  than 
any  other  of  the  present  descendants  of  the  Xorth  Ameri- 
can aboriu'ines. 

The  Nez-Percrs  are,  as  mentioned  in  a  preceding  chap- 
ter, a  quiet,  inoffensive  people,  although,  Avhen  faii'ly 
ai'oused,  they  are  not  wanting  in  courage  and  efficiency. 
Their  susceptibility  to  religious  impressions  is  remarkable, 
and  their  paticmt  reliance  upon  and  sincere  invocations  to 
the  Great  Spirit,  in  times  of  want  or  danger,  might  shame 
the  most  enliahteued  nation. 

In  a  time  of  great  scarcity,  Captain  Bonneville  fell  in 
with  a  party  of  these  Indians,  in  a  state  of  the  ntmost  des- 
titution. They  were  subsisting  upon  wild  rose-buds,  roots, 
and  (»tln'r  eiMule  iiiul  innutritions  lood,  and  tlieir  oidy 
weaj)on  wtis  a  sin;;le  sj»eai'.  AVitli  this  they  iinallyset  out, 
on  horsi'-bai'k,  u[ioii  what  ajiiieaied  to  tlie  whites  an  ut- 
tcrlv  hoMt.h'ss  e:s|Kj(!itiun  in  search  of  uanie.     Thev  rode 


-Kr'i^ 


/*. 


t 


m 


mi 


f; 


'M 


47-1 


INl^IAX    llAi'KS  OF  AMKiilCA. 


ofT,  liowevcr,  witli  cluu'irtil  (•onfiilciicc  tliat  their  prayerg 
would  now  Ijo  lieanl  b}'  the  Givat  Sjiirit.  'J'he  luulertak- 
ing  was  successful,  and  the  poor  Indians  freely  shared  the 
meat  which  they  liad  secured  anionu'  the  ljuii<_:rv  Avhiles. 

niie  kinddi'earted  captain,  from  longobscrvati<jn  of  tlu'ir 
character,  became  more  aud  more  eutlmsiastic  in  his  ad- 
miration of  the  simplicity,  benevolence,  and  piety  of  the 
tribe.  Some  rude  conceptions  of  Christian  doctrines  and 
observances  had,  in  earlier  times,  been  disseminated  among 
them,  and  they  eagerly  listened  to  such  instruction  upon 
these  tojtics  as  Captain  Boimcvillc  was  enabled  to  convey. 
In  his  own  words:  "Simply  to  call  these  people  religious, 
would  con-ey  but  a  i'aint  idea  of  the  deep  hue  of  piety 
and  devotion  wliicli  pervades  their  whole  conduct.  Their 
honesty  is  immaculate,  and  their  purity  of  purpose,  and 
tluMr  observance  of  the  rites  of  their  religion,  are  most 
uniform  and  remarkable.  They  a]'c  certainly  more  like  a 
nation  of  saints  than  a  horde  of  savaires." 

There  are  two  tribes  of  the  Pierccd-lSrosc  Indians,  the 
uj)})er  aud  the  lower:  the  first  of  these  is  that  to  which 
particular  allusion  lias  heretofore  been  made  in  connection 
witii  ]51ackfoot  hostilities.  ^i"he  Indians  of  the  lovv'cr  tribe 
subsist  upon  fish,  and  upon  deer,  elk,  and  other  game  of 
their  owm  country. 

Bonneville  gives  them  almost  as  good  a  character  as 
their  brethren,  tlie  upper  tribe,  pronouncing  them  "one  of 
the  purcstdiearted  people  on  the  flice  of  the  earth."  Other 
travellers  and  traders,  Avho,  probably  in  conscipienee  of 
their  own  unscrupulous  villany,  have  experienced  dif 
fercnt  treatment  at  the  hands  of  these  Indians,  naturally 
enough  set  them  down  as  dishonest  and  inhospitable.  As 
one  instance  of  their  generosity  and  kinddieartedness:  the 
captain's  horse  was  recognized  by  one  of  the  tribe  as  hav- 
ing formerly  been  stolen  from  himself  lie  proved  owner- 
gliij:)  incontcstibly,  but  voluntarily  relinquished  his  claim, 


!l 


I 


TRIBil       >  'sST  OF  THE  MlSSISSiri'I. 


475 


saying:  "You  got  liin.  .n  fair  trade — you  arc  more  in  want 
ul'  horses  than  1  am:  keep  liim;  lie  is  vours— lie  is  a  good 
horse;  use  him  well." 

Fui'thcr  westward,  u]>oii  the  haiilcs  of  the  ('ohinihia, 
below  the  mouth  of  the  Lewis  Fork,  are  found  \]\v  Walla- 
wallas;  they  are  not  unlike  the  Tiereed-Noses  in  gincral 
a[)})earance,  language,  and  habits.  They  ar  kind  lov,  ai'ds 
strangers,  and  in  tlieir  de})ortinent  exhibit  great  deeeney 
and  decorum.  They  have  })lenty  of  horses,  and  maintain 
tlie  same  l)order  warfare  with  the  Shosh.onees  tliat  their 
neighbors  farther  up  the  river  are  coiistaatly  waging  with 
the  Blaek feet.  Thoeauscof  hostility  is  similar,  vi/:  a  elaini 
of  I'iu'ht  of  hunting  within  the  hostile  territory ;  in  tlicone 
ease,  for  the  buffalo;  in  the  otlier,  for  the  blaek-tailcd  (her. 

Passing  over  the  Spokans,  Cootonais,  Chaudieres,  J\)int- 
cd  Hearts,  kc,  &e.,  wo  will  describe  a  little  more  at  largo 
the  Chinooks,  Flatdicads  in  reality,  as  in  name,  who  dwell 
about  the  lower  portions  of  the  Columbia.  '^I'he  horrible 
deformity  of  the  skull,  which  ecjn.stitntes  their  chief  ])liys- 
ieal  peeuliaril;y,  is  produced  by  pressure  upon  ilie  forehead 
of  the  infant  while  the  bone  is  soft  and  pliable.  The  child 
is  stretched  upou  its  back,  after  the  usual  Indian  fashion, 
and  a  bit  of  boai'd  or  bark  is  so  secured  by  strings  that  it 
can  be  tightened  at  pleasure,  creating  a  steady  pressure 
until  the  head  is  so  flattened  that  a  straight  line  can  bo 
drawn  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  to  the  unnatural  a})ex.  "^rhe 
operation  occupies  from  a  few  weeks  to  a  year,  or  moi'e,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  the  skull  is  hardened,  and  n(>\er 
thereafter  resumes  its  natural  shape.  I'he  thickiu'ss  of  tlio 
broad  ridge  at  the  back  of  the  head  is  little  over  an  imh. 

^riiis  extensive  displacement  of  the  brain  does  not,  as  liir 
as  travellers  have  observed,  eifect  any  noticeable  cliaiigo 
in  the  faculties  of  the  mind.  It  is  an  unacconntalile  ms- 
tom,  and  is  })ersisted  in  as  being  an  improvement  npoii 
nature;  perhaps  from  the  same  ideal  that  suggested  the 


II 


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1 


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1 

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1- 

i 

.    '         V. 

■'1 

> 

■i 

« 


1 1 


476 


INDL\JS^  KACES  OF  AMKKICA. 


!! 


l! 


! 


rctreiiting  forclicad  eliaractcristic  of  tlic  ancient  sculptures 
« )f'  K.gypt  and  Central  America.  Various  tribes  and  nations 
of  America  were  formerly  in  tlic  habit  of  flattening  the 
head,  who  have  long  since  ceased  so  to  mar  their  iiiir  pro- 
portions. Even  in  South  America,  as  \vc  shall  see  here- 
after, skulls  arc  still  found  bearing  evident  marks  of  this 
hideous  distortion. 

Exclusive  of  the  head,  there  is  little  particularly  notice- 
able about  the  personal  appearance  of  the  Indians  of  the 
lo\x'r  Columbia.  The  description  given  of  them,  particu- 
laj'ly  of  their  women,  is  by  no  means  attractive.  It  would 
seem,  from  one  of  Mr.  Catlin's  illustrations,  that  a  singular 
custom,  generally  considered  as  ])eculiar  to  the  Brazilian 
Botocudos,  is  occasionally  obsei'vable  among  them.  He 
gives  a  sketch  of  a  woman  whose  under-lip  is  pierced,  and 
the  aperture  filled  Avith  a  large  wooden  plug  or  button 
(termed  the  "botocpic"  in  South  America). 

Their  most  successful  advance  in  the  arts,  is  seen  in  the 
manufacture  of  their  canoes.  These,  accordinu;  to  tlic 
description  given  in  the  history  of  Lewis  and  Clarke's 
travels,  are  often  "upwards  of  lifty  feet  Idng,  and  will 
carr}'  from  eight  to  ten  thousand  pounds  weight,  or  from 
tweiity  to  thirty  persons.  *  *  '^'^^^'y  ^^'^  ^'^'^^  <'i-^t  of  a 
single  trunk  of  a  tree,  Avliieh  is  generally  white  cedar, 
though  the  fir  is  sometimes  used.  *  -  When  th(\v  em- 
bark, one  Indian  sits  in  the  stern,  and  steers  with  a  j)addle; 
the  otlicrs  kneel  in  pairs  in  the  bottom  of  the  canoe,  and, 
sitting  on  their  heels,  |)addle  over  the  gunwale  next  to 
them.  In  this  way  they  ride  with  jierfect  safety  the  high- 
est waves,  and  venture  without  the  least  concern  in  seas 
whei'e  other  boats  and  seinncMi  could  not  live  an  instant. 
They  sit  quietly  and  2);id<lle,  Avilh  no  other  movement, 
except  when  any  lar,";e  wave  throws  th(,'  b'jut  on  her  side, 
and  to  the  eye  of  the  spectator  slie  S(>ems  lost:  the  man  to 
windward  then  steadies  her  by  throwing  his  body  towards 


!l 


1 1 


n 


TRIBES  WKST  OF  THE  MISBIBSTPPI. 


I  i 


the  uppov  pidc,  and,  sinking  liis  j)a(lillo  deep  into  the  waves, 
appears  to  (%'itcli  the  water,  and  force  it  under  the  l)()at, 
whieli  the  same  stroke  pushes  on  willi  great  velocity." 

They  subsist  princi})ally  u]K>n  fisli,  in  tidying  which 
tliey  are  \cry  expert,  'j'licir  nets  are  made  of  silk-grass, 
or  of  the  fibrous  bark  of  the  white  cedar,  as  are  also  the 
lines  used  f(jr  anghng.  Tlie  hooks  are  procured  from  while 
traders,  but  in  eaidier  times  were  manufactured  from  bone. 
Their  houses  are  descril)ed  as  hirgc  and  commodious:  some 
of  them  are  said  by  Cox  to  be  "upwards  of  ninety  feet 
long,  and  tliirty  to  forty  broad."  ^J'ho  size  of  the  beams 
used  in  the  construction  of  tliese  edilices,  as  well  as  that  <jf 
the  Inmks  of  trees  woi'ked  into  canoes,  is  almost  incredi- 
ble, considering  the  miserable  tools  and  im])lcments  in 
tlicir  possession  previous  to  ]'liiro])can  intercourse. 

Their  household  furniture  and  uteiisils  are  rude  and 
simple;  in  their  ])rimitive  condition  they  boiled  their  fish 
in  kettles  of  cedar  wood,  by  means  of  heated  stones  thrown 
into  the  water.  The  fire-place  is  a  hole  sunk  in  the  floor, 
to  the  depth  of  about  twelve  inches,  under  the  aperture  in 
the  roof  left  for  the  escape  of  smoke. 


CnATTER  VI. 

THE  SHOSIIONEKS,  OR  SNAKE  INDIANS THE  SHOSHOKOES,  OR  ROOT- 
DIGGERS — EXTENT  OF  COUNTRY  OCCUPIED  BY  THE    SNAKES THE 

CAMANCHES  :  THKIR  HORSEMANSHIP,  MODE  OF  LIFE,  DWELLINGS, 
ETC. THE  PAWNEE  PICTS — THE  NAEA.TOS  AND  MOQUES. 

Under  various  names,  and  presenting  a  great  variety 
in  habits  and  a})pearance,  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
country  they  inhabit,  the  great  race  of  Sboshonees  is  fouml 
scattered  over  the  boundless  wilderness,  from  Texas  to  the 


I  i 


I  i 


II 


if-^i- 


':v*l 


m 


.•■:^ 


I 


r~ 


478 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMERICA. 


n 


■f< 


I 


*■ 


ColuMibia.  Tlicir  territory  is  bounded  on  the  nortli  and 
west  by  that  of  their  hereditary  enemies,  the  IJlaekCeet 
and  Crows,  tlie  tribes  allied  to  the  great  Dacotali  or  Sioux 
family,  and  the  Indians  removed  westward  from  the 
United  States. 

Those  who  dwell  amid  the  rugged  and  inhospitable 
regions  of  the  great  Eocky  Mountain  ehain,  known  iis  Shos- 
hokoes  or  Uoot-l)ii:-gers,  are  the  most  destitute  and  miser- 
able  [xH'tion  of  all  the  ?'^orth  American  ti'ibes.  '^.I'hey  ha\e 
no  hoi'ses,  nnd  :•  th"  but  llu;  rudest  native  implements 
for  seeuring  gi  '.  1  >  '^y  are  luirmless,  an<l  exee<'dingly 
timid  and  shy,  ch  >g  .ii"  their  dwellings  the  most  re- 
mote and  unexplored  retri^.vi  of  the  mountains,  whither 
tliey  ily  in  terror  at  the  aj)proaeh  of  strangers,  whether 
whites  or  Indians.  " 'J'hcse  forlorn  beings,"  siiys  Irving, 
"f(j]'ming  a  mere  link  between  limnan  natui-e  and  the 
brute,  have  been  looked  down  upon  with  pity  and  eon- 
tempt  by  the  Creole  trappers,  who  have  given  them  the 
a]ii)ellation  of  ^ks  dignes  de  pitie,^  or  'the  objects  of  pity.' 
They  appear  more  worth  v  to  be  ealled  the  wild-men  of 
the  mountains." 

Although  living  in  a  climate  where  they  experience 
great  severity  of  cold,  these  miserable  people  are  very 
insunieicntly  protected  either  by  clothing  or  comfortable 
huts.  Of  a  party  seen  by  Bonneville  upon  the  plain  be- 
low Powder  Eiver,  that  traveller  remarks:  "'J'hcy  live 
without  any  further  ])rotcction  from  the  inclemency  of  the 
season,  than  a  sort  of  break-weatlicr,  about  three  feet  high, 
composed  of  sage,  (or  wormwood,)  and  erected  around 
them  in  the  sha])e  of  a  half-moon."  I'his  material  also 
furnishes  them  with  fuel.  Many  were  seen  earr^-ing-  about 
with  them  a  slow  match,  made  of  twisted  bark.  "  When- 
ever they  wished  to  warm  themselves,  they  would  gather 
tc^'ether  a  little  wormwood,  apply  the  match,  and  in  an 
instant  produce  a  cheering  blaze." 


I ' 


TRIBES  WEST  OF  Till;  M  IriSlrirfUTI. 


479 


Tlioy  live  principiilly,  as  tlu.'ii-  Uiiuio  iuipru'S,  u[n>u  roots 
uikI  ;i  pr('[);tratioii  of  certain  \vil<l  seeds;  butliy  tlie  ni<l  of 
their  dogs — a  lean  and  miserable  breed— the}-  ealeli  I'abbits 
and  other  snudl  animals.  They  oeeasiouall}'  take  ante- 
lopes by  the  following  singular  eontrivaiiee:  An  indo- 
.surc  of  several  acres  in  extent  is  luriufd  by  piling  uii  a 
row  of  w^ornnvood  brush,  only  abouL  three  feet  in  heiglit. 
Into  this  the  game  is  decoyed  or  driven  and  the  enti'anee 
(dosed.  'J'he  men  then  pursue  tiie  animals  on  loot,  I'ound 
and  round  the  confined  space,  (fresh  recruits  entering  upon 
the  duty  as  the  first  become  weary),  until  they  are  com- 
pletely tired  down,  and  can  be  killed  with  clubs.  The 
antelopes  never  atteni})t  to  k'ap  over  the  frail  bar*-'   ,. 

Those  Shoshokoes  avIio  live  in  the  \'icinity  of  si;e;  'i, 
add  to  their  supj)Iies  by  fishing,  and  some  of  i.  m  ..■re 
suHieientl\-  skilful  and  })rovident  to  cure  storcL  v.x  li-di  for 
winter;  but  in  general  the  season  of  scarcity  finu..  tLcm 
wretchedly  nnprovided.  '"  Thciy  wei'c  destitute  ^a;,  s  Bon- 
neville, of  a  party  encountered  by  him,  "of  the  necessary 
covering  to  protect  them  from  tlie  weather;  and  seemed 
to  ]}•)  in  unsophisticated  ignorance  of  any  other  pro[)riety 
or  advantage  in  the  use  of  clothing.  One  old  dame  had 
absolutely  nothing  on  her  person  but  a  thread  round  her 
neck,  from  wdiich  was  pendant  a  solit;iry  beatb" 

The  Shoshonces,  as  distinct  from  tlie  Koot-Diggers, 
although  tlanr  condition  varies  greatly  Avitli  their  locality, 
are  a  fr'v,  bold,  and  wandering  race  of  hunters.  In  the 
bulTalo  plains  their  life  is  much  like  that  of  the  Sioux, 
Black  feet,  Crows,  c^e. ;  whik^  in  the  less  favored  districts, 
among  the  mountains  and  deserts,  they  approach  more 
nearly  to  their  kindred  Shoshokoes.  T'lin  countr}^  inhabit- 
ed by  them  is  of  such  vast  extent,  oud  has  been  .so  imper- 
fectly explored,  that  material  for  accurate  classification  of 
tlie  Snake  ti'ibos  is  entirely  wanting.  Very  interesting 
descriptions  and   anecdotes  of  these   Indians   are  to  be 


'ii' 


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1^   v 


Tr' 


-"^ 


I 


4; 


'    'I 


.  t 


I'    ! 


V::  i 


■  1-  ■.•* 


-ISO 


I.VUIAN'  UAC.KA  OF  AMl'.IMi' A. 


J'tiUllil     ill    ("mIoIicI    I'Vi'llii  nil's    lidtr-;  ( 'f   t  lilVcl    Mini    CXIiloJ'U- 

lions;   ill    Mr.  Sriioolci.iri's  \;ilii;iblc   ('(.inj,.  nil    ol'   liMli:iu 
histiil  ic;il  ;iimI  .^t;il  i.-lic;il  i  11  |i  n'liuil  inji ;    iiiiil  in  I  li''  I'lll'M'tnili 
ill^t^  a<l\  cliiili^'.-,  Ill'  (';i[il;iiii    r.(i|iiu'\  illi'. 

Tlh-  wl.i  iK'  ri\L!ii>ii  |cii;i!il>  il  l)_v  ill"'  ri>\  iii^L;'  Irilx'S  wlio  ;in>. 
iiirlii(|ril  iiiiilir  llic  <:'<'ii('i';il  lilli'  (ifr'nalas,  is  thus  laid 
(l<nvu  ill  Srliook-rall's  al'i»\  I'-Mu'iii  ioni'il  |iiililirati(>n  :  cxflu- 
sivc;  of  tlui.'o  ivsldiii;^'  upon  liic  Snake  i'i\rf.  "liny  ciii- 
bracc  all  tlio  tcnMilor\'  ol'  llic  (iivat  Sontli  I'a-s,  1m  twcni 
tlio  Mississii)[)i  valley  aial  lln'  \v.itri's  ol'  llic  ('(iliinil)ia,  liy 
Nvliit.'li  ll.c  lull. I  or  L'ai'a\aii  ro'iiiimniralioii  ^vi lli  (  h'c'joii 
iiial  I'alilornia  is  now,  or  is  cK'.-iiia'd  lui-cafitM',  lo  kc  inaiii- 
taincil.  ■■•■  ■"■  I  lulcr  Llio  ii..iiu' ol'  \^aiii|)atii'k'-ara,  or  !!oot- 
Ivitcrs,  and  Bonucks,  tlinj-  oi'cupy,  Aviih  the  LTlalis,  il.c  \-ast 
elevated  ba-<iii  of  the  (ireal  Salt  l-ake,  exleiidiii;.^'  south 
midwest  to  the  borders  of  Mew  Mexieo  and  C'alili  >niia. 
luronnatiou  reeently  ri-eeiveil  denotes  tliat  the  lanpua.uo 
is  s})ok'eii  by  bands  in  the  gokkmine  region  ol'  the 
Sacramento." 

The  most  noted  braiieh  of  tlic  whokj  faniily  is  that  of  the 
Cunianehes,  "who  have  des(,'ended  castwardly  into  llie  'J'cx.- 
an  phiins  at  unknown  jieriods  of  their  histtny."  .\iial(H!;y 
in  kuignago  is  all  that  attests  the  I'ormer  nnit\-  <il'  this 
nation  with  tlie  ShoshoiuH^s. 

TliG  Canuinehes  inhabit  a  conntry  where  bisons  and 
"wikl  horses  abound,  and  their  general  habiis  and  mode  of 
life  arc  con:icqucntiy  very  similar  to  those  of  tln'  western 
Sioux  and  other  raees  of  the  jirairies.  As  liold  and  skill- 
ful riders,  they  are  said  to  have  no  equals,  at  k;,.  1  in  Noith 
America;  some  of  theij'  leats  ol'  horscmaii.--hij»  ajipcar 
almost  supernatural  to  a  stranger.  One  of  the  niost  sin- 
gular of  these  is  that  of  throwing'  the  wlujle  bodv  upon 
one  side  of  the  horse,  so  as  to  be  entirely  shielded  from 
the  missile  of  an  enemy,  with  the  exception  ol'tlie  ].('■],  hy 
which  they  still  maintain  their  hold,  and  are  enabled  to 


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I 


TUIBES  WKST  OK  TFIK  MISSISSII'l'I. 


48 1 


rOguiii  tlieir  scat  in  an  instant.  Tlu'  manner  in  which  thi^ 
B(!Oiningly  iinpossihU;  jjosition  is  ivfaiiu'il,  was  ascertained 
by  Mr.  (.'atlin  t<.  be  as  fi.IIdws:  "1  fonn.l,"  says  h<',  'Swi 
exaininatioii,  that  a  shoit  iiair  lia]*er  was  passed  aroiinil 
under  the  ncek  of  the;  horse,  and  both  ends  tij^ditly  braided 
into  the  niaiic,  on  the  withers,  leaviii;^'  a  li^ip  to  hang  ni: 
der  the  nock,  and  n<^'ain.st  I  In-  breast,  which,  bcinj^'  cau,ulit 
up  iu  the  hand,  makes  a  sllny,-  int.)  which  tiie  (jIIiow  falls, 
taking  tlic  weight  of  tin;  body  on  the  miildle  of  the  upju-r 
ai'm.  Into  this  loop  the  ridvT  drops  su(hli.'nly  and  ieai'- 
Icssly,  leaving  his  heel  to  hang  over  the  back  of  the  horse, 
to  steady  him,  and  also  to  restore  him  when  ht^  wish(;s  to 
regain  his  upright  ])osiiion  on  the  horse's  b;ick." 

The  Indian  rider,  as  Ik^  swet^ps,  at  Cull  speed,  jiast  his 
enemy,  in  this  unnatural  attitude,  is  said  ti>  numage  his 
long  lance,  and  his  bow  and  arrow,  wiih  nearly  the  same 
facility  as  if  faii'ly  mounted,  Ib^  will  discharge  his  arrow 
over  the  back  of  the  horsi^,  or  even  his  neck!  The  Ca- 
manchcs,  from  constant  iiorse-back  exercise,  have  lost  that 
agility  and  grace  which  characterize  the  North  American 
Indian,  in  his  natural  stile.  They  are  awkward  and  un- 
gainly in  their  movements  when  on  foot,  but  when  mount(!d 
upon  the  animals  that  liavo  become  almost  a  part  of  them- 
selves, nothing  can  exceed  the  lightness  and  freedom  of 
their  posture  and  movements,  ^rhe  wild  horses  are  taken, 
as  usual,  by  the  lasso,  and  arc  at  first  disabled  by  being 
"choked  down,"  as  it  is  termed.  When  the  hunter  has 
thus  conquered  and  enfeebled  his  prize,  he  proceeds  to  tie 
his  fore  feet  together,  and,  loosening  the  noose  about  his 
neck,  takes  a  turn  with  it  about  the  lower  jaw,  and  com- 
])letes  the  subjection  of  the  animal  by  closing  his  eyes 
■with  his  h..  nd  and  breathing  in  his  nostrils.  .Xfter  this,  little 
dilhculty  is  (;xpcrienced;  the  horse  submits  to  be  mounted, 
and  is  soon  viitirely  under  the  control  of  his  tormentor. 
The  Indians  are  severe  and  cruel  riders,  and  the  case  of 
81 


1 1 


vV;| 


HI 


.  .-I'M 


482 


INDIAN   RACES  OF   AMERICA. 


supplying  the  loss  of  a  horse  prevent?!  tliat  regard  for  his 
safety  and  care  for  his  welfare  elsewhere  furnished  by  self- 
interest. 

The  Camanches  are  essentially  a  warlike  race,  and  the 
whole  history  of  the  settlement  and  ocenpation  of  Texas 
is  replete  with  tales  of  their  courage  and  })ro\vess.  ^fhcre 
seems  to  be  reason  to  ft-ar  tliat  difliculties  will  still  con- 
tinue to  arise  between  them  an<l  the  white  settlers  of  the 
country  until  the  whole  tri'oe,  lilce  so  many  in  the  oliler 
states,  shall  be  driven  from  their  territory  or  exterminated. 
Almost  the  only  man  who  has  ever  been  able  to  comm;iiid 
their  enduring  admiration  and  respect,  and  to  exercise  a 
parental  control  over  tliese  wild  rovers  of  the  west,  is  the 
redoubted  eham])ion  of  Texan  independence,  Genei'al 
Houston,  Numberless  tales  are  told  of  the  influence  of 
his  presence,  or  even  his  name,  in  quieting  border  trou- 
bles between  whites  and  Indians.  No  one  knows  the 
Camanches  better  than  Houston,  and  he  gives  abundant 
testimony  to  many  excellent  traits  in  their  character. 
According  to  his  representations,  the  generality  of  dis- 
turbances which  have  ariseri  upon  their  borders  are  attrib- 
utable rather  to  injustice  and  violence,  on  the  pa  it  of 
the  white  settlers,  than  to  the  native  ferocity  or  treachery 
of  the  Indians. 

The  dwellings  of  the  Camanches,  like  those  of  other 
prairie  tribes,  consist  of  tents  of  bufPalo-skins,  and  ai'u 
transported  fi-oni  place  to  place  in  the  manner  described 
in  a  former  chapter.  The  tribe  next  adjoining  them,  tlu; 
Pawniee  Picts,  living  about  the  extreme  head-v.'-aters  of  tlie 
Red  River,  on  the  borders  of  the  Rocky  ]\[ountains,  in- 
habit wigwams  of  poles  tliatehed  with  prairie-grass,  of 
voiy  picturesque  form  and  arrangement.  Iliese  people 
are  said  to  be  entirely  distinct  from  the  Pawnees  on  the 
Platte  river;  they  are  in  a  state  of  friendly  alliance  wdth  the 
Camanches.     Unlike  the  latter  trilte,  they  cultivate  largo 


I 


I'-i. 


TRIBES  WEST  OF  THE  MISSISSIPri. 


483 


quantities  of  maize,  beans,  pumpkins,  &c.,  ami,  what  witli 
their  abundant  supply  of  game,  enjoy  no  little  prosperity. 


In  New  Mexico,  besides  the  Utahs,  Apaches,  and  other 
Indian  tiibes  heretofore  mentioned,  are  two  very  singular 
communities:  the  Nabajos  and  ]\[oqucs.  The  first  of  these 
lead  a  pastoral  life  between  the  rivers  San  Juan  and  Gila. 
They  are  spoken  of  in  a  communication  of  Governor 
Charles  Bent,  in  184G,  as  "an  industrious,  intelligent,  and 
warlike  tribe  of  Indians,  who  cultivate  the  soil,  and  raise 
sudlcient  grain  and  fruits  of  various  kinds  for  their  own 
consumption.  They  are  the  owners  of  large  flocks  and 
herds  of  cattle,  sheep,  horses,  mules,  and  asses.  It  is 
cstin)ated,  that  the  tribe  possesses  30,000  head  of  horned 
cattle,  500,000  head  of  sheep,  and  10,000  head  of  horses, 
mules,  and  asses.  *  *  They  manufacture  excellent  coarse 
blaidvcts,  and  coarse  woolen  goods  for  wearing  a})parel. 
"■  *  "  They  have  in  their  possession  many  men,  women, 
and  children,  taken  from  the  settlements  of  this  territory, 
whom  they  hold  and  treat  as  slaves.  *  *  The  Moqucs 
are  neighbours  of  the  Nabajos,  and  live  in  permanent  vil- 
lages, cultivate  grain  and  fruits,  and  raise  all  the  varieties 
of  stock." — {ScJtooIcrafl's  IL'storical  and  Statistical  Liforma- 
iiun  concerning  the  Indian  Tribes). 

The  Nabajos  number  from  seven  to  fourteen  thousand 
souls;  the  Moqucs  between  two  and  three  thousand.     Tlie  . 
two  tribes  arc  at  enmity  with  each  other,  and  the  Moqucs 
have  been,  by  this  cause,  much  reduced. 

The  following  description  of  the  personal  appearance 
of  these  Indians,  (their  names  being  corrupted  into  "Is'ab- 
behoes,"  and  "Mawkeys,")  is  cited  by  ]\[cIntosh,  in  lu's 
"Origin  of  the  North  American  Indians,"  from  the  West- 
ern Democrat:  we  cannot  undertake  to  vouch  for  i<-s  accu- 
lacy.     After  describing  the  location  of  the  smaller  tribes, 


n 


,'<V'^« 


Si 


'%f 


•f., 


484 


INDIAN   RACES   OF  AMERICA. 


the  article  proceeds:  "Not  far  distant  from  the  Mawkeys, 
and  in  the  same  range  of  country,  is  another  band  of  tlie 
same  description,  called  Nabbehocs,  a  description  of  either 
of  these  tribes,  will  answer  for  both.  They  have  been 
described  to  the  writer  by  two  men  in  whose  veracity  tlie 
fullest  confidence  may  be  placed:  they  say  the  men  are 
of  the  common  stature,  with  light  flaxen  hair,  light-blue 
eyes,  and  that  their  skin  is  of  the  most  delicate  whiteness." 


.J 


o 


INDIAN    POPULATION 


UWITED    STATES    AND    TERRITORY. 


AccoKDiNG  to  the  census  taken,  under  the  agency  of 
Mr.  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft,  in  pursuance  of  the  act  l'^  Con- 
gress passed  in  March,  1847,  the  following  returns  were 
made  of  the  numbers  of  the  Indian  tribes  subject  to  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  United  States. 

^riie  grand  total  was  set  down  at  388,229,  and  about 
30,000  more  was  considered  a  probable  estimate  of  tribes 
inhabiting  districts  yet  unexplored.  Tlic  "Ultimate  Con- 
solidated Tables  of  the  Indian  Population  of  the  United 
States,"  containing  the  results  of  the  j)roposed  investiga- 
tion, are  given  substantially  as  follows,  in  Si'hoolcraft's 
"History,  Condition,  and  Prospects  ol  the  Indian  Tribes 
of  the  United  States:" 

1.  "Tribes  whose  vital  and  industrial  slatistics  have  been  taken 
by  Bands  and  Families,  under  the  dirLction  of  the  act  of 
Congress,"  including  Iroquois,  Alg-mquins,  Appalucliians,  and 
Eastern  Sioux, 34,704 

2.  "Tribes  of  the  new  States  and  Territories,  South  and  West, 
including  the  acquisitions  from  Mexico,  under  the  treaty  of 
Guadalupe  Hidalgo,"  viz:  of  Texas,  New  Mexico,  California, 
Oregon,  Utah,  and  Florida,  and  consisting  of  Camanches, 
Apaches,  Utihs,  Shoshonees  or  Snake  Indians,  &c.  .     .     .  183,042 


■  'H  'l\ 


K-ii 


h,i\ 


»', 


486 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


3.  Tribes  be f ween  tho  Slississippi  and  the  Rocky  Mountains,  to  tiic 
nortluvnrd  of  Texas  and  New  IMexieo,  viz: 


1,000  j  Rlianiit'H,  . 
a.SOoJlNIissoui-is,    , 
4,000  I  Munsees,  , 
1,500 1  Oliuwas,  west, 
13,000   Olocs, 


AfSiimboiiis,  south  of  lat.  49  deg. 
Aiapaliocs,      .... 
Ahsaiokt's,  or  Crows, 
Aiirickurecs,    .... 

Khickfcft, 

lilodd  Imlians  (/cw  reach  the  Missouri)  500  ,  Oinahas, 

llrotliertoiis, GOO  |  OguUahs, 

CliL'iokeus, iiO,000   Pawnues,     . 

Crocks', 25,000    Poiieas,     . 

Chickasaws, 5,000   Pi illawaturaies, 

Clioctaws 10,000  :  Pourias,    .        . 

Clieyeiincs, 2,500   Piatikcshawa, 

Cadiloes, 2,000  '  Qiiappas, 

ChippewaSjWCSt,  and  Ued  River,  north,  1.500  j  Shawauees, 

Cayugas  and  Iroquois,  west,      .       .        30   Sioux  of  the  Mississippi  (not  euume- 

Delawarcs, 1.500       rated  in  No.  1),     ....        0,000 

Foxes  and  Sacs, 2,400   Siou.<  of  lliu  Missouri  (notenumerated 

Rros  Ventres, 3,000       in  No.  1), 5,500 

Kiowas, 2,000   Slockbridges, 


500 
500 
200 
300 
500 

2,000 

li.'-.OO 

17,(M)0 

700 

3.200 
150 
200 
400 

1,000 


Kickapoos, 
Kanz.as, 
Kaskaakias, 
Menonionies, 
Mandans,  (?) 


400 
OOOiScminihes, 1,500 

1,000   Swan  Creek  and  Black  River  Chippe- 
200       was  (nut  enumerated  in  the  Algon 

2,500       quin  groui,.'),       ....  200 

300   Tetans, 3,000 


Minitarees, 2,500  i  VVeas, 


2.10 


Within  tlic  old  States  arc  tlie  following  remnants  of  ancient  tribes: 

95G  j  Vir.^'inia— Nottoways,  mixed  witlj  l!"' 

847        African  race, 40 

420  I  South  Carihna— Catawbas,  .        .       .    200 
400,  North  (>•     '■na-Calawbas,        .        .        250 
1  Tof.  ",:;    "!herokee3  included  in  former 

40 1     talilo. 


Maine, 

MassachusieUs, 

Rhode  Islanil — Narraganselts, 
Connecticut— Mohegans,   . 
New  York— Besiiles  the  Iroquois,  \>< 
fi,  ro  enumernled, 


I! 


200 


40 

.    i!00 

250 

1  ii\  fornii-r 


!l 


1 1 


500 

.       500 

200 

.       300 

500 

.    2,000 

1,500 

.  17,000 

700 

.    3,200 

150 

200 

400 

.    1,000 

iirac-  ; 

9,000      ! 

rated  j 

.    5,500      i 

400      I 


1,500      '  1 

I  I 


|! 


-.J 


SOUTH    AMERICA, 


TRIBES  OF  TlIK  WEST  INDIES, 

AND  THE  NORTHERN  rROTINCES  ^F  SOUTH  AMERICA 


CIIAriER   I. 

INDIANS    FIKST    SEEN    BY    COUrMIiUS LANDING    AT    GUANAHANI — 

NATIVi;.-5  OF  CUBA EMBASSY  TO  THE  (iKAND  KHAN  ! DISCOVERY 

OF  IIAYTI,  AND    INTEPiCOUKKE  WITH  THE    NATIVES—   jUACANA- 

GAIII W^ECK    OF    THE    ADMIRAl's    VESSEL HONESTY  AND 

HOSPITALITY  OF  THE    NATIVE    INHABITANTS — TRADE  FOR 
GOLD — BUILDING    OF    THE    FORTRESS    OF    LA    NAVIDAD 
DEPARTURE  OF  THE   NINA THE  CIGUAYANS DIS- 
ORDERS AND    DESTRUCTION    OF  THE    GARRISON  AT 
LA    NAVIDAD FORT    OF    ST.   THOMAS. 

At  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  tlie  New  World  by 
Columbus,  the  larger  West  India  islands  and  the  Baha- 
mas were,  for  the  most  part,  inhabited  by  a  kindly  and 
simple-hearted  race.  Althou<^h  living  in  the  most  prim- 
itive state  of  nature,  unclothed,  and  possessed  of  only  the 
rudest  weapons  and  implements,  they  do  not  appear  to 
have  been  deficient  in  intellectual  capacity.  The  lelight- 
ful  climate  of  their  country,  and  the  spontaneon  iruitful- 
ness  of  the  soil,  removed  the  ordinary  incentives  lo  labor 
and  ingenuity.  The  rudest  huts  of  branches,  reeds,  and 
palm-leaf  thatch,  with  hammocks  (originally  the  Indian 
word  "hamacs")  slung  between  the  posts,  'illy  sufliccd 
for  their  dwellingi^.  Protection  from  the  ram  was  alone 
necessary. 


:)«: 


hi. 


--1 


I  I 


488 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMKKU'A. 


f-', 


".         ir' 


■I 


II' 


They  were  of  good  figure  uiul  propoi'tinii,  tlu'ir  forclKvids 
were  high  and  well  forincd,  and  the  gcnnal  cast,  ol"  their 
<'(iimLenance  and  eonlbrinaliDn  ol'  theii'  t'raiun's  agreeable 
and   regular.  • 

'I'lu;  great  admiral  lamUMl,  i'or  the  tirst  time  sinee  the 
(l.-iNSol"  "the  Nt)rtlimeii"  that  iiuy  .lMii'o|)ean  had  visited 
ihc  Western  Woi'ld,  at  (Jiianahani,  San  Salvadt^r,  or  Cat 
Island,  on  the  I2th  of  Oetober,  illCl  Tlu;  hhore  '.vas 
liiKHl  with  naked  savages,  who  iKd  at  tlu^  a]t[)r();i.',;h  (»!'  the 
boats;  but  watching  ii'om  a  distance  the  ineoniprchcnsiblo 
oi'reniony  of"  taking  possession,  and  the  religious  exercises 
ol'  thanksgiving,  perlbrmed  b}'  the  strangers,  tear  so(Ui 
gave  place  tt)  reverential  t'uriosity.  If  any  thing  could 
excite  their  wonder  in  a  higher  degree  iJian  tiu'  majestic 
a]>proaeh  (d'  the  shi})s,  iL  might.  wh'II  be  the  splendor  oi' 
tin;  S})anish  dress  and  arms,  the  strange  complexion,  and 
tlu^  ihiek  beards  of  the  strangers  wdio  arrived  in  ihem. 
The  Indians  soon  began  to  gallu-r  roinid  the  Intle  band, 
throwing  theniselvi^s  upon  the  eailh  in  ti^ken  id'  sul)niis- 
sion  and  respect,  and  worsl)ipping  the  Spaniiirds  as  gods 
or  divine  messengers.  As  nothing  b  !  kindness  ap}>eared 
in  the  demciuor  oi'  the  strangers,  the  natives  grew  more 
familiar,  and,  with  unbouiuh-d  admiration,  touched  and 
examined  their  dress  and  beards. 

Cobambus  still  furtln^i-  won  the  goo(bwill  ol'  the  ishuid- 
crs  by  a  judicious  distribution  uf  such  brilliant  beads  and 
toys  as  over  attract  the  eye  of  the  savage.  Nothing  de- 
bghted  them  so  much  as  hawdvs'-bells,  of  whose  pleasant 
tinkling,  when  suspended  ii'om  their  arms  and  necks,  they 
■were  never  v,eary.  The  next  day,  laying  asitle  all  lear, 
the  Indian,-:  cac^e  o"-t  to  the  shi])S,  swinnning  or  paddling 
in  their  canoes.  'i'Sicy  brought  such  little  ai  tides  of  trade 
as  they  possctoed;  bills  of  cotton  yarn,  parroks,  and  cas- 
sava bread  (^made  from  the  yuca  root);  (>ager  to  tradic, 
upon  any  terms,  <or  Kuropean  eouimodities.     Golden  orna- 


1 1 


I! 

li 


1 1 


•el  leads 
il'  llu'ir 

• 
ICC  the 
visited 

or  Cat 
ii'c  was 

ol'  the 
ciisible 
ccrci.-^cs 
ir  soon 
;,•  could 
iiajcslie 
iilor  of 
)ii,  and 
I  ihom. 
band, 


ILll 


nxwA- 


IS    <'"0(lS 


w 


1 1 


iprarci 


I 


A  luoi'e 
d  and 


land- 


is 


(Is  anu 


Icasant 


1 1 


til 


-y 


I  car, 
Iddling 
trade 


a  cas- 


Itrallic 


'     1 1 


//  /;  /  ^  7  "  '■  /M   /.'     '   ' 


/.  !■  M  n  I' 


i 


rp- 


li  orna- 


TUIBES  OF  THE  WEST  INDIES,  ETC. 


489 


mcnts  worn  in  tlio  noses  of  somo  of  tli(>m  at  onco  aronscd 
the  cu|)i(lity  of  the  S{)iuii}U"(ls,  who  cag<M'ly  bought  lh(Mn 
up,  ;iu(l  iiKide  iiiquiiy,  hy  sijj^us,  as  to  whence  the  material 
was  i)ron„'hl.     'i'hiswas  explained  to  beat  the  southward. 
In  his  fui'tJiev  I'niiso  anion;.;  thi'   Bahamas,  in  the.  vain 
seareli  I'or  gold,  Colunil.)Us  pui'sued  the  most  humane  and 
gentle  policy  towards  the  natives,  and  their  gratitude  and 
delight  at  his  caresses  and   presents   knew   no  bounds. 
Equally  generous,  they  were  ever  ready  to  proller  to  the 
S])aniai'ds  all  llu  ir  little  wealth  of  cotton,  fruits,  and  tame 
parrots.     Seven  of  the  natives  of  'luanahani  were  taken 
on  board  the  vessels  upon  the  depai'tui'c  from  that  island. 
The  admiral  had  no  doubt  but  that  he  had  reached  tin; 
islands  of  the  Asiatic  coast,  and,  in  accordance  with  this 
mistake,  bestowed  the  epithet  of  Indians  upon  the  iidndj- 
itai'Is.     As  he  c^mc  in  siglit  of  Cuba,  he  supposed  that  he 
had  at  last  reached  Cipango.     This  opinion  was^linally 
changed,  from  a  rnisappi-ehcnsion  of  communications  froui 
the  na!i\i's  t)n  board,  to  a  firm  belief  that  this  was  the 
main  land  of  the  continent  of  Asia,  an  error  of  which 
Cohunbus  was  never  disabused. 

The  inliabitants  appeared  rather  more  advanced  in  the 
arts  than  those  before  seen,  but,  to  the  intense  disap])oint- 
ment  of  all  on  board  the  vessels,  none  of  them  were  pos- 
sessed of  any  gold.  Two  embassadors  were  sent  by 
Columbus  to  explore  the  interior,  and  to  visit  the  court  of 
the  prince  of  tlit3  country,  whom  liis  imagination  led  him 
to  conclude  must  be  nc^ne  other  than  the  Grand  Khaii  I  A 
rude  Indian  village,  of  about  one  thousand  inhabitants, 
naked  savages,  like  those  of  the  coast,  v.'as  all  diat  was 
discovered  by  these  emjssaries.  They  were  received  and 
entertained  with  the  greatest  kindness  and  reverence,  but 
were  unable  to  communicate  with  the  natives  otherwise 
than  by  signs.  The  most  interesting  report  made  by  them 
upon  their  return,  was  of  a  custom  then  unknown  to  the 


L': 


|| 


II 


1 1 


1 1 


'    •  '''Ib 

.  '     'I 


:-*■■-; 


400 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMKltlCA. 


whites,  viz:  that  of  smoking.  The  name  of  tobacco,  given 
by  the  natives  to  the  cigars  which  tliey  used,  was  ever 
after  applied  to  the  plant. 

From  Cuba,  Columbus  took  several  Indians,  men  and 
■women,  on  board,  at  his  departure,  that  they  might  bt; 
taught  Spanish,  and  thereafter  serve  as  interpreters.  In 
J)i'('cnd)er,  ho  discovered  the  island  of  Ilayti,  named  by 
him  Jlispaniola,  and  landing  on  the  12th  of  the  mcMitli, 
lu>  I'aised  a  cross  in  token  of  taking  possession.  All  the 
inhabitants  had  fled  into  the  interior;  but  a  young  female 
was  taken  by  some  roving  sailors,  and  brought  on  board. 
She  was  sent  on  shore  with  abundant  presents  of  ornaments 
and  clothing,  to  give  a  favorable  report  of  the  whites  to 
her  own  people.  Next  day  a  party  Avas  sent  to  visit  the 
Indian  town  upon  the  bank  of  the  River  of  three  Kivers. 
The  town  consisted  of  about  one  thousand  houses,  from 
which  the  occupants  fled  at  the  sight  of  the  Spaniards. 
They  were  finally  reassured,  and  induced  to  return.  Some 
two.  thousand  of  them  made  their  appearance,  advancing 
slowly,  with  every  gesture  and  expression  of  humiliation 
and  respect. 

'^riie  "Woman  whom  the  Spaniards  had  the  day  before 
entertained,  had  not  failed  to  report  magnificent  descrip- 
tions of  her  captors  and  their  vessels.  ']'he  tokens  which 
she  brought  back,  in  the  shajte  of  beads,  hawks'-bells,  &c., 
were  yet  more  convincing  evidence  of  the  beneficence  and 
wealth  of  the  Spaniards.  She  now  came  forward,  with  lier 
husband,  at  the  head  of  a  throng  of  Indians,  and  every 
expression  of  gratitude  and  good-will  was  lavished  by 
them  upon  their  guests.  Every  thing  that  the  poor  natives 
possessed  was  freely  at  the  Spaniards'  service. 

Columbus  writes  of  these  islanders:  "True  it  is  that 
after  they  felt  confidence  and  lost  their  fear  of  us,  they 


were  so  liberal  with  what  they  possessed  that  it  would  not 

;  seen  it.     If  auv  thing 


be  believed  by  those  who  had 


1 


.,  given 
IS  over 

en  uud 

Llllt    1)0 

O 

■rs.  In 
lied  l»y 
month, 
All  the 
I  female 
I  board, 
laments 
liiies  to 
'isit  the 
Ivivcrs. 
es,  fi'om 
laniards, 
.  Some 
vancing 
liliation 

before 

cscrip- 

wliicli 

Us,  &e., 

nco  and 

ith  her 

e\-ery 

led  by 

natives 

is  that 
IS,  they 
uld  not 
thing 


J 


TRIBES  OF  THE  WEST  INIJIES,  ETC. 


491 


was  asked  of  them,  they  never  said  no;  but  rather  gave  it 
cheerfully,  and  showed  as  much  amity  as  if  tiny  gavo 
their  very  hearts." 

The  early  voyagers,  and  all  eontcMnpoiary  writers,  agree 
that  this  was  the  character  of  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  of 
the  West  India  Islands,  with  tl)«>o-\ec|)ti(>n  of  tlieCaribs.  A 
nirtrc  guileless,  innocent,  contented  race  has  never  I'xistcd, 
and  never  were  strangers  welcomed  to  a  I'orcign  shore  with 
more  genuine  and  kindly  hospitality;  but  what  a  return 
did  they  receive  for  their  {Vieiidiiness  an-'t  submission! 

Coasting  along  towards  the  cast,  Columbus  landed  at 
Aeul,  and  held  friendly  C(jmmunion  with  the  inhabitants, 
whose  lirst  fears  were  easily  disi)clled.  'J'hc  same  scenes 
of  nuicual  presents  and  hospitalities  that  characiteri/.ed  the 
former  landings  were  here  repeated.  The  whole  of  that 
region  of  country  was  under  the  connnand  of  a  great 
caci(|ne,  named  C uacanagari,  from  whom  the  Spaniards 
now.  An-  the  first  time,  received  messengers,  inviting  them 
to  visit  him,  and  oflering  vai'ious  curious  presents.  Among 
these  articles,  were  some  specimens  of  rude  work  in  gohb 

AVhile  pursuing  his  course  eastward,  with  the  intention 
of  anchoring  in  a  harbor  described  as  near  the  residence 
of  the  cacique,  Columbus  had  the  misfortune  to  be  Ci.  't 
uway  upon  a  sand-bar.  No  shipwrecked  mariners  ever 
received  more  prompt  and  ciTicient  relief  than  was  imme- 
diately extended  by  G uacanagari  and  his  subjects.  Every 
thing  was  brought  to'  land  from  the  wreck,  and  guarded 
with  the  most  scrupulous  honesty.  The  cacique  himself, 
with  tears  in  his  eyes,  came  on  board  the  caravel  Kina, 
whither  the  admiral  and  his  crew  had  been  obliged  to  be- 
take themselves,  and  ofiered  every  assistance  in  his  power, 

"With  respect  to  the  goods  brought  on  shore  in  the 
natives'  canoes,  "there  seemed,"  says  Mr.  Irving,  "even 
among  the  common  people,  no  disposition  to  take  advan- 
tage of  the  misfortune  of  the  strangers.     Although  they 


^ 


<6  ▼■   a 


^>. 


O^X^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


£/  /.v^^^, 


& 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1.4 


J4 

1.6 


^- 


6" 


V] 


<^ 


/2 


/ 


V 


'^*>^'         // 


d? 


/ 


m 


4^ 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


ill  ^^ 


Ua 


^ 


f 


492 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AMPUIICA. 


a 


•I  'i 


beheld  wliat  must,  in  tlicir  eves,  have  been  inestimable 
trea.saros,  cast  as  it  were  upon  their  shores,  and  open  to 
depredation,  yet  tliere  was  not  the  least  attempt  to  j)ilfer, 
nor,  in  transpoiting  the  efiects  from  the  ship,  had  they 
a})propriatcd  the  most  trilling  article;  on  the  contrary,  a 
general  sympathy  was  visible  in  their  countenances  and 
actions;  and,  to  have  witnessed  their  concern,  one  woiild 
have  supposed  the  misfortune  had  happened  to  themselves." 

The  Spaniards,  wearied  with  long  and  profitless  voy- 
aging, now  revelled  in  the  enjoyment  of  true  Indian  hos- 
pitality. The  cacique,  who  was  regarded  with  tlie  utmost 
love  and  reverence  by  his  subjects,  continued  his  kind 
offices,  and  his  people  were  not  behind-hand  in  following  his 
example.  What  delighted  the  shipwrecked  mariners  more 
than  any  other  circumstance,  was  the  number  of  gold 
ornaments  possessed  by  the  natives,  and  which  they  were 
eager  to  dispart  for  any  trifle  of  European  manufacture. 
TIawdvs'-bells,  above  all  other  articles  of  use  or  ornament, 
were  universally  in  demand.  "On  one  occasion,"  says 
Irving,  "an  Indian  gave  half-a-handful  of  gold  dust  in  ex- 
change for  one  of  these  toys,  and  no  sooner  was  in  posses- 
sion of  it,  than  he  bounded  away  to  the  woods,  looking  often 
behind  him,  and  fearful  that  the  Spaniard  would  repent  of 
having  parted  so  cheaply  with  such  an  inestimable  jewel." 

The  natives  described  the  mountains  of  Cibao  as  the 
principal  source  wlience  gold  was  to  be  obtained.  Valua- 
ble mines  v/ere,  indeed,  afterwards  discovered  in  that 
region,  although  their  yield  fell  far  short  of  the  extravagant 
anticipations  of  the  Spaniards. 

A  portion  of  the  crew  of  the  wrecked  vessel  expressed 
a  strong  desire  to  remain  at  Ilispaniola  until  another  ex- 
pedition could  be  fitted  out  from  Spain,  upon  the  return 
of  the  Nina,  and  Columbus  was  not  displeased  with  the 
proposition.  The  Indians  were  overjoyed  at  the  prospect 
of  retaining  some  of  the  powerful  strangers  in  their  island, 


ii 


I 


!stimablo 
open  to 
)o  ])iircr, 
lad  they 
ntrarj,  a 
aces  and 
le  would 
iiselves." 
less  voy- 
ilian  lios- 
10  utmost 
his  kind 
)wing  his 
lers  more 
'  of  gold 
hey  were 
mfaoture. 
)rn  anient, 
on,"  says 
list  in  ex- 
n  posses- 
n  ST  often 
cpcnt  of 
e  jewel." 
10  as  tho 
Vulua- 
in   that 
:ravagant 

expressed 
)ther  ex- 
le  return 
with  the 
prospect 
ir  island, 


I 


TRIBES  OF  TUE  WEST  INDIES,  ETC. 


49.J 


as  a  protection  against  the  invasions  of  the  dreaded  Caribs, 
and  as  security  for  a  future  visit  from  European  vessels. 
They  had  seen,  with  wonder  and  awe,  the  terrible  efl'cct  of 
the  discharge  of  artillery,  and  the  admiral  had  })roiuised 
the  assistance  of  his  men  and  weapons  in  case  of  any  inroad 
from  an  enemy's  country. 

The  little  fortress  of  La  Navidad  was  speedily  con- 
structed out  of  the  materials  of  the  stranded  vessel,  and 
fortified  with  her  cannon.  The  Indians  eagerly  lent  their 
assistance  in  the  labor  of  transportation  and  building. 
Thirty-nine  men  were  chosen,  from  the  numerous  volun- 
teers for  that  service,  as  a  garrison  for  the  fort:  to  these 
Columbus  addressed  the  most  earnest  exhortations  to  dis- 
cretion and  kindness  in  their  intercourse  Avith  tho  natives. 
His  heart  might  well  be  touched  by  the  continued  cou^iesy 
and  affection  of  Guacanagari,  wdio  could  not  refrain  fi'om 
tears  at  parting  with  his  venerated  friend.  The  Nina 
sailed  on  the  -ith  of  January,  1493.  Counting  eastward, 
the  caravel  joined  company  with  the  Pinta,  under  Pinzon, 
of  which  no  accounts  had  been  for  some  time  received,  and 
the  two  vessels  passed  cape  Gaboon,  and  came  to  anchor  in 
the  bay  beyond.  Here  was  seen  a  tribe  of  Indians  very 
different  from  those  of  the  west  end  of  the  island.  From 
their  bold  and  warlike  appearance,  their  bows  and  arrows, 
clubs,  and  wooden  swords,  the  Spaniards  took  them  for 
Caribs,  and,  unfortunately,  before  coming  to  a  friendly 
understanding  with  them,  a  skirmish  took  place,  in  which 
two  of  the  Indians  were  wounded.  Eeconciliation  and 
friendly  intercourse  succeeded.  The  tribe  proved  to  be 
that  of  the  Ciguayans,  a  hardy  race  of  mountaineei's.  Co- 
lumbus was  particularly  struck  with  the  noble  demeanor 
of  the  cacique,  supposed  to  be  the  same  afterwards  promi- 
nent in  history  as  Mayonabex. 

Not  long  after  the  departure  of  the  admiral  from  La 
Navidad,  the  Spaniards  left  at  the  fort  began  to  give  them- 


fT^'',!; 


J 


%M 


m 


49i 


INDIAN   RACES  OP  AMERICA. 


;''■ 


■u 


t 


.i,i, 


selves  up  to  tlic  most  unboundeil  and  dissolute  license. 
Their  savage  quarrels  among  themselves,  and  the  gross 
sensuality  "which  cliaractcrized  their  intercourse  with  the 
natives,  soon  disabused  the  latter  of  the  sublime  concep- 
tions formed  by  them  of  the  virtues  and  wisdom  of  their 
guests,  AVith  all  this  misrule,  the  precautions  of  a  mili- 
tary post  were  utterly  neglected,  and  full  opportunity  Avas 
given  for  an  attack.  The  destruction  of  the  fort  by  the 
Carib  Chief  Caonabo,  will  be  found  described  in  a  subse- 
quent chapter. 

When  Columbus  returned  to  Ilispaniola,  upon  his  second 
voyage,  nothing  but  dismantled  ruins  marked  the  spot  of 
tlie  settlement.  Guacanagari  and  his  people  described  the 
attack  of  Caonabo  and  his  warriors,  their  own  futile  at- 
tempts to  assist  the  garrison,  and  the  slaughter  of  the 
Spaniards.  Notwithstanding  the  apparent  good  faith  of 
the  cacique,  many  of  the  Spaniards  began  to  mistrust  his 
accounts,  and  to  suspect  him  of  having  acted  a  treacher- 
ous })art.  This  suspicion  was  strengthened  by  his  sudden 
departui'e  witli  several  of  the  female  captives  brought 
away  by  the  admiral  from  the  Caribee  Islands. 

The  hope  of  procuring  rich  treasures  of  the  precious 
metals,  and  the  desire  of  holding  in  check  tlie  warlike 
Caonabo,  induced  Columbus  to  establish  the  fortress  of  St. 
Thomas  in  the  province  of  Cibao.  Those  stationed  at 
this  remote  interior  position,  in  the  midst  of  more  hardy 
and  })roud-spirited  tribes  than  those  of  the  coast,  collected 
and  transmitted  much  curious  information  concerning  na- 
tive superstitions,  customs,  and  nationalities.  Some  crude 
notions  of  supernatural  influences,  apparitions,  necroman- 
cy, (fee,  were  entertained  by  these  islanders,  in  common 
with  most  savage  nations.  They  had  also  an  idea  of  a 
future  state  of  happiness  for  the  good,  in  which  all  earthly 
pleasures  should  be  enjoyed  in  unalloyed  perfection. 


TRIBES  OF  THE  WEST  INDIES,  ETC. 


495 


CIIAriLR  II. 


INDIANS  OF  JAMAICA — CRUISK  Al,0.\f;  TIIK  liOUTHERN  COAST  OF  CURA 
SPfCECHOFAN  INOTAN  COUNSKLLOK — DIFFICULTIES  AT  THE  FOR- 
TRESS  OF  ST.  THOMAS ITS    SIEGE    I!V  CAOXAEO EFFOHTS  OF 

COLUMBUS  TO    FtESTOliE  ORDER — GREAT  RISING    OF   THE    IN- 
DIANS OFIIISPANIOLA — THEIR  DEFEAT — TRIBUTE  IMPOSIUJ 
VISITOFBARTIIOI.oiMEWTO  XARAGUAY FURTHER  IN- 
SURRECTIONS IN  THE  VEGA — BOBADILLA  AS  VICEROY 

CRUELTIES  PRACTISED  ON  THE  INDIANS — LAS  CA- 

SAS INCIDENTS  RELATED  BVPURCIIAS — ADMIN- 
ISTRATION OF  OVANDO-^EXPEDITION  AGAINST 
XAUAGUA REDUCTION  OF  IIIGUEY. 


In  the  month  of  May,  1494,  the  island  of  Jamaica  was 
first  discovered  by  Columbus.  The  native  inhabitants 
appeared  to  be  of  a  very  different  character  from  the  timid 
and  gentle  islanders  with  whom  former  intercourse  had 
been  held.  A  crov/d  of  canoes,  filled  with  savages  gau- 
dily adorned  with  plumes  and  paint,  opposed  the  landing 
of  the  Spaniards.  These  were  })acified  by  the  Indian  in- 
terpreters on  board;  but  upon  landing,  the  next  day,  the 
throng  of  natives  on  shore  exhibited  such  decidedly  hos- 
tile intentions,  that  it  became  necessary  to  intimidate  them. 
A  few  discharges  from  the  Spanish  cross-bows  sufliced  to 
put  them  to  flight.  The  ferocity  of  a  savage  dog,  brought 
on  shore  bv  the  whites,  added  "Tcatlv  to  their  terror. 

There  was  no  diniculty  in  allaying  the  apprehensions 
of  these  Indians,  and  the  usual  friendlv  intercourse  was 
soon  established.  During  a  cruise  along  the  soutliern 
coast  of  Cuba,  which  occupied  the  succeeding  months  of 
June  and  July,  the  islanders  seen  were  as  gentle  and  tract- 
able as  those  upon  the  northern  shores  of  the  island.  The 
means  of  communication  now  afforded  by  the  Indian  in- 
terpreters gave  new  interest  to  every  conference.      The 


"v  •:•■':'* 


... 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMKIilCA. 


■il 


iyji^ 


I 


I 


woiid'Tiiig  crowd  of  natives  would  gatlicr  with  the  mos^ 
eager  iiitemt  around  these  their  fellow-eountrjmen,  to 
listen  to  the  tales  of  gorgeous  spcetacles  and  unheard-of 
wonders  witnessed  by  themselves  in  the  distant  country 
of  the  whites.  There  was  enough  of  the  novel  and  won- 
derful l)efore  the  eyes  of  the  ignorant  islanders,  in  the 
sliips,  n])pearance,  conduct,  and  costume  of  the  Spaniards, 
to  j)ie\'('iit  iucre^dulitv,  as  they  listened  to  the  narrations 
of  tlie  interpreters.  The  performance  of  the  religions  ser- 
vices of  the  Catholic  church,  struck  the  natives  Avith  awe, 
particularly  when  the  pur})ort  of  these  ceremonials  was 
o\])lained  to  them.  In  testimony  of  their  natural  intelli- 
gence and  perceptions  of  right  and  wrong,  Mr.  Irving 
gives  ns,  from  Ilerrera,  the  following  speech  of  an  aged 
councillor  of  one  of  the  Cuban  caciques,  after  witnessing 
the  celebration  of  the  mass: 

"  When  the  service  was  ended,  the  old  man  of  fourscore, 
who  had  contemplated  it  with  profound  attention,  ap- 
proached Columbus,  and  made  him  an  oration  in  the  Indian 
manner. 

" '  This  which  thou  hast  been  doing,'  said  he,  'is  well ;  for 
it  appears  to  be  thy  manner  of  giving  thanks  to  God.  I 
am  told  that  thou  hast  lately  come  to  these  lands  with  a 
mighty  force,  and  hast  subdued  many  countries,  spreading 
great  fear  among  the  people;  but  be  not  therefore  vain- 
glorious. Know  that,  according  to  our  belief,  the  souls 
of  men  have  two  journeys  to  perform  after  they  have  de- 
parted from  the  body;  one  to  a  place  dismal  and  foul,  and 
covered  with  darkness,  prepared  for  those  who  have  been 
unjust  and  cruel  to  their  fellow-men;  the  other  pleasant 
and  full  of  delight,  for  such  who  have  promoted  peace  on 
earth.  If  then  thou  art  mortal,  and  dost  expect  to  die, 
and  dost  believe  that  each  one  shall  be  rewarded  accord- 
ing to  his  deeds,  beware  that  thou  wrongfully  hurt  no  man, 
nor  do  hai'm  to  those  who  have  done  no  harm  to  thee.'" 


.s: 


THIBES  OF  THE  WEST  IXI)ir,\   1:T''. 


407 


From  Cabrv  the  iidtniral  visited  tlic  soiiilioi;!!  sliorcs  of 
Jamaica.  All  the  iirst  distrust  and  opposition  of  tlio  in- 
baljitants  had  vanished,  and  nothinL;,'  but  ,'-';c!iilcncss  and 
kindness  characterized  tlK.ir  demcano!-.  .\t  or.c  plar(;  a 
cacique  came  out  to  the  slii})  vv'ith  his  whole  laniily,  "con- 
sisting of  his  wife,  two  daughters,  two  sons,  and  five  Ln'oiii 
crs.  One  of  the  danL;hteis  was  ei:rlitee)i  years  of  a-'o, 
beautiful  in  form  and  countenance;  her  si.-.tcr  was  sonie- 
^vhat  youngci-;  botli  were  naked,  according  to  the  cvLstom 
of  the  islands,  but  were  of  modest  demeanour." 

This  chief  professed  himself  ready  to  go,  with  all  his 
train,  in  the  Spanish  vessels,  to  visit  the  king  and  queen 
of  Spain,  and  acknowdedge  himself  their  vassal,  if  by  so 
doing  he  could  ju'cserve  his  kingdom. 

During  the  absence  of  Columbus,  the  dissolute  arul  un- 
principled Spaniards  at  the  fortress  of  St.  Thoma-'.,  so 
grossly  abused  their  pow(;r  among  tlic  natives,  that  an  ex- 
tensive spii'it  of  hostility  -was  K^viscd  up  against  them. 
Caonabo  was  unwearied  in  his  eflbrts  to  excite  the  ollr^r 
island  caciques  to  a  union  against  the  intruders,  and  the 
faithful  (j  uacanajiari  alone  seems  to  lia\'e  been  proof  agai;ist 
his  persuasions,  in  revenge  for  which  non-compliance, 
the  Carib  and  his  brother-in-law,  Rehcchio,  committed 
numberless  indignities  and  inJMi'i.s  njion  Iujvi  a)ul  I. is 
people.  Serious  difiiculties  soon  aro.e;  a  nund)er  of 
Spaniards  were  put  to  death  by  (bialiguana,  a  subordiniitci 
cacique  imdcr  the  eehdiratcd  Guarioncx,  in  puuishmen.t  ior 
outrages  committed  upon  his  people ;  and  (,aonal)o  besieged 
the  garrison  at  St.  l^homaswith  a  force  of  uiany  thousands 
of  his  warriors.  After  thirtv  davs'  of  ineffectual  attemiils 
to  reduce  the  place,  he  gave  up  the  undertaking,  and  drew 
off  his  army.  The  stratagem  by  -which  the  person  of  this 
noted  chief  and  warrior  was  secured  by  the  connnandant 
at  St.  Thomas's,  will  be  detailed  liereafter.  Columbus,  upon 
liis  return  to  liispaniola,  made  use  of  every  eflbrt  fo  eheidc 
82 


I  ! 


!?■■ 


■''U'% 


■u 


,.:H., 


M 


A-'l-y-i^' 


498 


INDIAN"    JiACES   OF  AMKUICA. 


the  ruinous  disorders  wLieli  li;id  Lccoinc  ])rovuleiit.  ITo 
])unislied  Guutiguuiiu  l)_v  an  invasion  ot"  his  ddiuinions  and 
the  destruction  of  no  small  niunher  of  his  people.  An 
interview  was  tlien  brought  ahout  witli  liis  superior,  Gua- 
rionex,  a  peaceable  and  well-disposed  chief,  wlio  readily 
consented  to  the  estabhshrnent  of  a  Spanish  fort  in  the 
very  heart  of  his  domains. 

'J'he  ci'iishing  system  of  oppression  had  now  fairl_y  com- 
menced, and  was  j)i'oniptly  followed  u])  by  the  shipment 
of  live  hundred  Indians  to  be  sold  as  slaves  in  Spain, 
''{'ills  was  directly  the  act  of  C(jlunibus  himself,  and  histo- 
rians only  offer,  as  his  excuse,  the  argument  that  such  was 
the  ordinary  custom  of  his  age  in  all  wars  with  savages  or 
infidels,  ^riie  interposition  of  the  kinddiearted  Isabella, 
preveiitetl  the  consummation  of  this  proposed  sale.  By 
her  orders,  the  prisoners  Averc  sent  back  to  their  homes, 
but,  unfortunately,  not  until  the  state  of  affairs  upon  the 
islands  was  such  that  the  poor  '■■■  ms  might  have  been 
better  situated  as  slaves  in  Spaii 

A  general  combination  of  the  island  chieftains  against 
the  Spaniards  finally  induced  Columbus  to  commence  an 
active  campaign  against  them.  In  the  dominions  of  the 
captive,  Caonabo,  his  brother,  ^Fanicaotex,  his  brother- 
in-law,  lieheohio,  and  his  l)eautiful  wnfe,  Anacaona,  were 
the  most  pronunent  in  authoiity,  and  the  most  active 
in  rousing  up  hostilities.  '^^Phe  Spanish  force  consisted  of 
a  little  over  two  hundred  men,  twenty  of  whom  were 
mounted,  and  twenty  hlood-Jwtoich;  an  enemy  as  novel  as 
terril)le  to  the  naked  sa^'ages.  Guacanagari  lent  liis  feeble 
aid,  with  that  of  his  followers.  Of  the  number  of  the  hos- 
tile Indians  in  the  district  of  the  Vega,  the  liistori;ins  of 
the  time  gave  exaggerated  accounts.  They  speak  of  an 
array  of  one  hundred  thousand  hostile  savages.  Mani- 
caotex  was  leader  of  the  united  tribes.  Near  the  site  of 
the  present  town  of  St.  Jago,  a  decisive  battle  was  fouglit. 


I 

il 
!l 


1 1 


7ZZ-~T) 


t.  Ho 
)ns  and 
3.  An  I 
r,  Gua- 
rcadily 
ill  the 

]\  com- 

lipUK'llt 

L  Spain. 
(1  liisto- 
ncli  was 
vas^os  or 
Isabella, 
lie.     By 
:•  homes, 
ipon  the 
uvc  been 

au'ainst 

'uee  an 

of  the 

iTother- 

ii;i,  were 
active 

sisted  of 
)ni  were 
novel  as 
lis  feeble 
'  the  hos- 
)rians  of 
ik  of  an 
Mani- 
e  site  of 

^  foULiht, 


1 1 


1 1 
11 


ii 


THIMES  OF  TTTE  WTiST  INDIES,  ETC. 


499 


in  which  the  vnst  army  of  tlu^  Tiidians  Wiis  utterly  rontt^l. 
The  Spanish  e(-)mmaniler  did  not  hesitate  to  divide  his  little 
battalion  into  several  detachments,  whieh  fell  up(.)n  the 
enemy  simultaneously,  from  dilTcreiit  ([uarters.  Torn  to 
pieces  by  the  savng'e  dogs,  tr;implc(l  (h)\vn  by  tlic  etivah-y, 
and  unable  to  efleet  anything  in  turn  ugainst  tlie  mail-clud 
whites,  the})oor  Indians  were  ovcrwliclnicd  with  (Confusion 
and  terror.  The  rout  was  as  com[)letc,  althongh  the  mas- 
sacre was  not  so  cruel,  as  when  Tizarro attacked  the  l\ru- 
vian  Tnca,  with  an  almost  equally  dispro})ortionate  force. 

"^i1ie  Indians,"  says  ^fr.  Irving,  "iled  in  every  direction 
with  yells  and  bowlings;  some  clambeivd  to  the  top  of 
rocks  and  precipices,  fi-om  whence  they  made  piteous  sup- 
plications and  offers  of  complete  submission;  many  were 
killed,  many  made  prisoners,  and  the  r<in('ederacy  was,  for 
for  the  time,  completely  broken  up  and  dispt-rsc^d." 

Nearly  the  whole  of  Hispaniola  was  speedily  reduced  to 
subjection;  Behcchio  and  his  sister,  Anacaon  a,  alone  of  all 
the  natives  in  authority,  secluded  themselves  among  the 
unsettled  wilds  at  the  western  extremity  of  the  island. 
All  the  other  caciques  made  conciliatory  overtures,  and 
submitted  to  the  imposition  of  a  heavy  and  grievous 
tribute  upon  them  and  their  subjects.  A  hawks'-bell 
filled  with  gold-dust,  or  twenty-five  pounds  of  cotton,  was 
cjuarterly  required  at  the  hands  of  every  Indian  over  the 
age  of  fourteen;  from  the  chiefs  a  vastly  larger  amount  was 
collected.  The  contrast  between  the  former  easy  and  lux- 
urious life  of  the  islanders,  their  gayety  and  content,  their 
simple  pleasures,  and  unfettered  liberty,  with  the  galling 
servitude  and  wearisome  tasks  now  imposed,  is  most  touch- 
ingly  and  eloquently  described  by  Irving.  Unable  to 
endure  the  unwonted  toil  and  hopeless  labor,  the  Indians 
vainly  endeavored  to  escape  to  the  mountains,  and,  sub- 
sisting upon  the  crude  prodncts  of  tlie  forest,  to  evade  tlie 
cruelty  of  theii  enslavers.     They  were  hunted   out,  and 


•\ 


■  •  •     s 


•if 


^^Hpl 


•■■■ /Vl 


'i:'-,''mt''- 


■'..i;;:  i 


1- 

I,- 


500 


INDTAX   U.\<'I:R  of  AMl'KirA. 


rompollofl  to  rctuni  1o  tlicir  boiiics  ;iii<l  to  llicir  luliors, 
'J'lie  uiirorl.iniiilc  (liiaoMniHrnri,  receiving; no  liiNnr  IVom  the 
PTS])if'ions  Spaniards,  uihI  Iumiij^'  an  oljjcct  of  llie  d' I'pci-il 
liatred  to  lii.-i  (■oinitiviii''n  for  iIm^  ])art.  lie  liad  taken  in  tlicir 
strngL>;lc  for  f)'0(><  loni,  (li<.'i  I  in  ]\i'</]ott  and  w  ictcliiibK-sH 
among  ilv,  nionnlain.s. 

In  MOC),  narlliolonirw,  al)rollier  of  Colnnibus,  tiion  cx- 
oi'cising  the  oflu'o  of  adclantado  at  Tlispaniola,  visited 
r»eliocliio  at  liis  remote  western  province  of  Xaragiiay. 
Ho  was  received  with  hospitality  and  kindness  by  tliis 
cliicf  and  Lis  sisUn'  iVnai'aona,  and  entcM'taiiKMl  in  the  best 
mamior  tlio  eonntry  conld  alVord.  '^fiie  object  of  the  ex- 
pedition was  t(^  indiu'(;  tlu*  eaeiqne  to  comply  peaceably 
with  tlio  Spanish  requisitions  (.f-tribute,  liehcchio  had 
learned  bv  satl  expiMience  the  ])o\ver  of  the  I'airopenn 
arms,  and,  as  the  adehuitado  a;;r('i  d  to  recei\'e  the  tribute 
in  such  articles  as  liis  count ly  produced,  inste;i(l  of  gold, 
he  readily  consented.  Bartholomew's  Judicious  ])()li('y 
towards  these  illustrious  islanders  gain(>d  him  their  highest 
esteem.  Beheehio  and  his  sister  paid  the  ti'ibuto  required 
cheerfully  and  prom]>tly;  and,  upon  the  occasion  t)!' a  visit 
from  the  adclantado  to  receive  it,  they  both  took  occasion 
to  visit  the  caravel  in  v.diich  he  had  ai'ri\-ed.  Anacaona, 
especially,  was  filled  with  delight  at  the  sight  of  the  vessel, 
and  at  witnessing  the;  ease  and  cHU'tainty  with  which  its 
movements  were  coiitrolled. 

'^riic  females  of  Xaraguay  wc^rc  of  most  remarkable 
beauty,  but  lU'i'cminent  among  them  was  the  widow  of 
Caonabo.  Her  queenly  demeanor,  grace,  and  coui-tc.sy, 
won  Ijie  admirat'on  of  the  Spaniards. 

In  the  following  year  (1497)  another  insurrection  broke 
out  among  tribes  of  the  Yega  and  the  vicinity.  The  im- 
mediate cause  of  this  outbreak  was  the  execution,  at  tlie 
stake,  in  accordance  with  the  barbarity  and  bigotry  of  the 
age,  of  a  number  of  Indians,  for  the  offence  of  sacjilegc 


I 
T 


I  f 

!    . 


ri 


"71 


labom 
nil  itic 

n  llicir 


licii  ex-  j 

visited  1 

ruguiiy.  T 

by  til  is  I 

tlie  l)i':^t     'j 

jdcciiMy  i 
liio  liiul  I 
iin>i)i;ii:  j 
•  Iriliiilo  1 
..('  ,L':«>M,    ! 

,s  policv    i 

"I 
rliiglifst 

Te(liiiiv(l 

oi  a  visit    j 

(H'casion 

nacamia, 

10  vessel, 

vliicli  it« 

inarL'ablc 
idow  of 
[courtesy, 

Ion  broke 
The  im- 

)n,  at  the    ji 


try  o 


f  tbo 


saerilej^c 


TIMIUIS  OK    I'lIK  \\'V<T    INIMKS,    KTC. 


501 


Gnai'ioiiex,  tlie  piiiicipal  eaci<[tu',  liud  biTii  an  object  of 
special  interest  witli  tlie  eecU.'siasties  to  wlioiri  was  (!oia- 
niitti'il  ilic  work  of  cwnvfrrniu"  the  islaiulei's.  His  ca>v 
ami  |)liahl(3  disposition  causcil  him  to  listen  patirnlK  lo 
tlieir  instructions,  ami  to  et)uiply  with  nuini'i'uns  t'dinis  ul' 
theii'  ciijoiiiing.  Sdiuo  tiiii'  of  the  Spaniai'ils  having  C'Mh- 
niittcd  an  outrage  iip<iii  his  wiff,  rmarioncx  rei'nsnl  ti) 
listen  further  to  the  doctrines  of  a  I'eligion  whose  [H'ofi  s,;- 
ors  were  guilty  of  such  vilianies.  Shortly  after  this,  a, 
chapel  was  broken  open,  and  images  cnshi'ined  within  it 
Avero  dcstn^yed  by  a  luuuber  of  the  natives.  For  this 
offence,  those  iini)licatcd  were  burned  alive,  as  above  nun- 
tioned.  The  ad  >lantad.)  snp[»i'cssed  th(>  conscfpunt  npi'ising 
by  a  prompt  and  euci'g(Hic  sil/.urc;  of  the  leading  chiels. 
Two  of  th(\se  were  put  to  d-'alh,  but  (iiiarionex  and  the 
others  were  pardoned. 

V>y  the  persuasions  and  inllu'-nco  of  the  rebellious  Tvol- 
dan,  the  unfortunate  caeiipie  was,  in  bl9"\  drawn  into  a 
second  conspiracy  of  tlie  natives.  '^Fhe  plot  was  prema- 
turely developed,  and  (iuai'ionex  fled  Adiu  the  ])l:iins  of 
the  Vega  into  the  mountains  of  Ciuna\',  and  ioiiied  his 
fortunes  to  thopc  of  the  cacique  Mayonabex.  This  gener- 
ous and  noble  chief  received  hiin,  with  his  family  and  a 
few  followers,  nnder  his  protection. 

From  this  retreat,  with  the  assistance  of  Ciguayan  war- 
]'ioi'S,  tlie'  fugitive  was  (Miabled  to  molest  tlie  S[»rniish 
settlements  of  the  low  country  with  impunity,  until  tluj 
Adelantad.o  r)arthe)lomew  invaded  tlio  niounta.in  district, 
dispersed  the  armies  of  ^fayonabex,  and  took  both  him 
and  his  guest  prisoners.  The  conqueror  was  more  placable! 
towards  a  fallen  foe  than  most  of  his  countrymen,  and. 
upon  the  submission  of  the  Cignayans,  was  ready  to  accord 
them  protection  and  favor,  Guarionox  perished,  in  b"j(!)2, 
on  his  passage  for  Spain,  in  the  same  vessel  with  ])oba 
dilla  and  llcddan.     The  ship  foundered  at  sea  in  a  terrible 


I 


::  a 


i 


i-i 


''I 


Vr 


602 


INIMAN    KACKS  UK  AMKltK'A. 


liiiiTiciiiic,  wliicli    ;iit)S('   iiiiiii('(li;itcl_v  al'tri'  lliii   dcnartiiro 
from  Ilispiiiiinhi. 

It  was  uiidt'i'  the  ailiiiiiiistralliiii  (.f  r.()1>;iilill;i  !li;it  llio 
Imliaiis  ol"  Ilis|i;iiii(ila  were  rctliicod  to  a  iikm'i!  CDiiiidfto 
ami  Hystciiiatic.  fDiiditiun  ol'  sla\('i'y  than  lidoi-c.  'I'licy 
were  I'cu'ulai'ly  inn'cclt'il  out  to  tin;  Sjtanisli  |ii'<>pricti>rs 
of  till'  iiiiiK'S,  liy  wlioiii  they  were  coiiipcllcd  lo  lalxir  \\\v 
Ix'yoiid  tlirir  pow'or.sofciidiii'aiK'c,  and  whose  wanton  ci  iirl- 
lies  ;^'.\('it('d  the  .sti'on^cst  individuation  in  the  mind  ol'  tht> 
l)rn('\()lcnt  LasCafas— one  of  the  few  historians  of  li is  a.u'O 
and  nallon,  who  [)ossoss('il  the  inclination  or  couia'jv  to 
])aint  the  I'riicllits  of  his  coimti'ymcn  in  tjirii'  true  cojois. 
Tliis  truly  hi'iicvolent  mmi  (h'votcd  the  greater  port 'i>n  of 
his  lil'e  to  ell'orls  lor  ameliorating  the  condition  of  me  na- 
tives of  the  .W'w  W'oiM,  l)iit  in  liis  sympiitliy  wilh  their 
snU'eriiigs  and  o|i|iiesslons,  Ik;  nnldrtunately  lo>t  si^iit  ot' 
wiiat  was  due  to  another  scarcely  less  tmrortunate  r;ice. 
He  was  anionL!  the  earliest  to  advocate  the  substitution  of 
negro  sla\ery  for  th:il  of  the  Indians,  iiinh'r  tiie  impres- 
sion— douhtjess  in  itseH'just  — that  a  state  of  sorvituile  w:is 
less  intoli.'rable  to  the  one  than  tlie  other.  It  is  to  Las 
Casas  tlial  we  ai'e  indditcd  lor  the  most  I'righirul  detail  ol 
wrong  and  ciaielty  in  the  settlement  of  the  \\\'st  Indies, 
thatcver  disgi'aced  human  nature.  His  tK'scriptions  of  the 
manner  in  wliich  the  native  iiopulation  wa>  aimihilaled  to 
minister  to  the  luxiiiy  and  a\arice — nay,  far  worse,  to  tlu; 
depi'aN'ed  and  wanton  cruelty  of  the  S]iaiiiards  —are  Iright- 
ful  in  the  extreme.      We  can  shari'  in  tlu'  hoiu'sl  indiLiiia- 


lion 


followiu'''  it  en 


old  i*nrehas,  from  whose  "i*ily,ri]nagc'' wecito  tlio 


is: 


In  the  Island  llispaiiiola  the  Sjiauiards  had  their  tirst 


Indian  habitations,  where  theii' cnudties  draue  the  Indi, 


1 1  IS 


to   tl 


leir  shifts,  and  to  their  weal 


dei 


ence,  wiiicii  ('aiisecl 


those  enraged  Lions,  to  spare  neither  man,  woman,  nor 
childe. — 'i^hey  set  up  gibbets,  and  in  honour  of  CilliiST  and 


tjirturo 
Kit  llio 

lllplt'tO 
'I'll.'V 
i|'ii'ti>l'S 
liol'  I';;!' 
I  cl'ilcl- 
(.r  tlitl 
his  ii;^:o 

•iiVt'  ^<> 
colors. 

■li(  III    of       I 

iiif  ii;i- 
ih  llirir 
M-ht  of 
tc   nicr. 

llii  111   of 

iiiilti'cs- 
l(k'  \v;iS 

to  l,;is 
(•l;iil  of 

llidu'S, 
s  ol'  tlio 

ilnl  to 
lO  tllO 

Iri-lit.- 
i(li,uiia- 
■\[c  the 

■ii'  first 

iidiaiis 

Icansi'il 

In.,   nor 

llST  iliul 


TUIllKS  ()!••  TIfK  \\'i:S'r  INDIKS,   KTf. 


o03 


nis  twelve  Apostles   (;is   tliey  Siiid,   ;iim1    eoiiM    llir    |)iiic|l 
Bay  Wors(>?)  tliey  \V(»iil(l   \»a\     \\:\\\^j  jukI   Ihiiim'   tlicin.    "    * 
Tho.  Noliles  jukI  (;()liitii;iii(|ers,  tliey  liroiled  on    Miiilii,,,,^ 
*   '^'   *   Tliey  li;i(l  (loL-'.'J'es  to  limit   lliein  out  of  t  lieir  e  (iicrts 
Wllii'll  lieiioiirecl  the  [loorc  Soiilcs;    iiihI   heeiinse   Soi.ictiiiiis 

the  iiHliiiiis.  thus  |ii- kcij,  would  kill  ;i  Spaiiiiird,  il'  iln'v 

found  oj)J)()rtllliitie,  they  Uiiide  ;i  l:i\v,  tli;it  :iii  huiidivd  ol" 
them  should  I'or  one  S|i;iiii;ii(l  lie  slailie." 

He  elsewhere;  ivmarks: 

''fleiv  [ill  Ciil)a|  was  a  ('ac'if[Ue  natiKvl  irathiH>y,  whieh 
called  his  sMl)J(>ets  ahoiit  him,  and  shewing  them  a  lio\e  of 
(iold,  said,  that  was  the  Spaniards  (lod,  and  made  them 
daiieo  ahoiit  it  very  soleiimly;  and  lest  the  Spaniards 
slionld  have  it,  In'  huileil  it  into  the  liiiier.  I'eiii'j-  taken 
and  eolidemned  to  the  lire;  when  lii'  waS  hound  to  tho 
stake,  a  I'Vier  eaiiie  and  jnvnclicd  hcaiieii  lo  him,  and  the 
teri'ors  of  hell :  Hat  Iniey  asked  if  thm'e  were  aii\-  ."Spaniards 
in  heaiien,  the  l''rier  answered,  yea,  such  as  were  Liood; 
llathuev  replied,  he  would  lather  lio(.'  to  lu^ll,  th-'ii  <''oij 
wlun-e  ail}' of  that  ernell  Nalioii  were.  I  was  oiiee  ]iresent 
saith  C'lsiTs^  when  the  Inhahitants  o('  one  towiie  l)i'on,L:iit  vs 
forth  vietuall,  and  met  vs  with  L^ivat.  Kiniliiesse,  and  tho 
Sp'Uiiai'ds  without  any  cause  sh'W  tlirei>  thousand  of  them, 
of  euery  ag'e  and  S(\\e.  1,  hy  their  counsrll,  sent  lo  other 
Townes  to  meet  vs,  with  ]iromisi'  of  i^ood  dealin.L;',  and  two 

the  Captaiuc,  against 


and  tweiitie  ('aci(pies  met  \s,  which 
all  faith,  caused  to  he  hiiriied." 

In  liisjianiola,  under  the  administ I'atioii  of  0\-aiido,  suc- 
cessor to  I)ol)adil!a,  the  siincrings  and  o])})ressions  rif  tlu; 
overtaskctl  iiati\-cs  I'cached  t  heir  climax.  It  would  he  hut 
a  wearisome!  i\>petition  of  liai'harities  to  eiiuiuci'ate  the 
wrongs  pc  rjiotrated  agtdnst  the  submissive  inhahitants  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  jndncipal  Spanish  settlements,  hut  the 
expedition  against  the  province  of  Xaraguay  merits  a  more 
particular  attention.     This  w^as  in  the  year  loOo.     Behe- 


If 


1 


:i" 


i 


i\ 


■M 


';j!fi 


■m 


r 


•.   .4 


^;#-':  .':' 


■  if''! 


i^;At,i 


I! 


II 


ii 


i  i 


1 1 


!  I 


!  I 


II 


50-1 


INDIAN    RACES  OF  AMKllIOA. 


chio  was  dead,  but  liiH  sister  Anacaoiia  still  maintained  lior 
inllucncc  over  the  natives  of  that  district.  Upon  prctenco 
of  ;ui  intended  iiisun-cciion,  Ovamlo  doterniincd  to  rednoc 
Xaraguay  to  a  condition  as  niiscrablo  and  hopeless  as  that 
of  l!ie  eastern  districts,  lie  started  upon  this  exi)edition 
with  three  huiuli-cd  well-armed  infantry  and  seventy 
mounted  men.  ^Die  army  entered  the  dominions  of  Ana- 
:^;iona  with  the  a])pearancc  of  fi'iendship,  and  the  qneon, 
with  licr  associate  caciques,  was  not  backward  in  rcnderiiig 
to  her  visitors  all  the  hospitalities  of  the  country.  Tj-oops 
of  young  girls,  dancing  and  waving  brandies  of  'palm, 
ushered  them  into  the  principal  villa '■•e,  where  they  were 
received  and  entertained  with  every  liken  of  kindness 
and  good-will! 

It  is  impossible  to  conceive  of  any  adequate  motion  on 
the  part  of  tlie  ferocious  Ovando  for  the  treacherous  cru- 
elty of  his  c(mduct  tov/ards  his  hosts.  lie  afectod  to  be- 
lieve that  a  conspiracy  was  on  foot  among  tiie  natives,  to 
massacre  him  and  his  followers,  but,  judging  from  what 
we  can  learn  of  the  tiraisaction,  there  existed  no  possible 
ground  for  such  a  suspicion.  The  course  taken  to  avert 
the  supposed  danger  was  as  follows.  All  llie  caci('|ues 
were  invited  to  attend,  with  tlieir  people,  at  a  grand  festi- 
val or  exhibition  of  Spanish  martial  exei'cises.  When  the 
unsuspecting  Xai'aguans  had  gathered  in  eager  curiosity 
to  behold  the  scone,  at  a  g"ven  signal,  the  armed  Spaniards 
fell  u})on  the  crowd,  and  a  scene  of  hoj'rible  carnage  en- 
sued. Forty  of  the  cliicfs,  it  is  said,  were  tak(Mi  pi'isonci's, 
and  after  being  subjected  to  the  most  cruel  torments  to 
extort  from  th(>m  a  confession  of  a'uilt,  the  house  where 
they  were  conHnod  was  set  on  fire,  and  the  whole  nundjcr 
perislicd  in  the  flames. 

Anacaona  Avas  cai-ried  to  St.  Domingo,  tried,  adjudg(Hl 
guilty  of  an  attempt  at  insurrection,  and  hanged!  Her 
subjects  were  remorselessly  persecuted;  hunted  from  the'r 


i  I 


ed  lior 
'ctcuce 
rednec 
as  til  at 
edition 
cvcnty 
f  Ana- 
quocn, 
idoring 
Troops 
•palin, 
sy  Avoro 
iiu1nc?3 

tion  on 
us  crii- 
1  to  be- 

ivcs,  to 
a  Avhat 

)0S3iblG 

Ttvert 
iciqucs 

fcsti- 
fU  tlio 
I'iosity 
11  in  rds 
la'C  en- 
^oiicrs, 
■Ills  to 
wlicrc 
umber 


!  I 


U( 


lp:ed 
llcr 


1  tliej' 


TRIBES  OF  THE  WEST  INDIES,  ETC. 


505 


retreats  among  the  mountains,  slain  like  wild  beasts,  or 
brought  into  tlie  most  servile  and  hopeless  bondage,  they 
attempted  no  resistance,  and  submitted  to  the  cruel  yoke 
of  tlieir  tyrants. 

The  ruduetion  of  the  eastern  province  of  Iliguey,  and 
the  execution  of  its  noble  and  gigantic  chief  Cotubanama, 
completed  the  Spanish  conquests  on  the  island  of  Ilispan- 
iola.  The  details  of  the  barbarities  attendant  upon  this 
last  warfare,  as  given  by  I.as  Casas,  arc  too  horrible  and 
disgusting  for  minute  ]'(>cital.  It  is  sufficient  that,  not  con- 
tent Vv'ith  the  destruction  of  the  concpcred  people,  without 
regard  to  age  and  sex,  the  Spaniards  tasked  their  ingenuity, 
to  devise  the  most  cruel  and  lingering  torments  in  the  mur- 
der of  their  prisoners. 

By  such  a  course  of  atrocities  were  the  West  India 
islands  depopulated  of  llieir  original  inhabitants.  The 
summarv  with  Avhich  Purchas  concludes  his  enumeration 
of  various  scenes  of  Spanish  cruelty,  is  too  cpiaint  and 
forcible  to  bo  omitted.  "Dut  \\\\\  doc  I  loii'j,-er  trace  them 
in  their  bloudie  steppes;  seeing  our  Author  that  relates 
much  more  tlien  I,  yet  protesteth  that  it  was  a  thousand 
times  worse.  *  ""  How  may  we  admire  that  long-sulTcring 
of  God,  tiiat  rained  not  a  floiul  of  waters,  as  in  Konlts 
time,  or  of  fire,  as  in  Lob^^  or  of  stones,  as  in  Jonhitas^  or 
some  vengeance  from  hcauen  v})on  these  Models  of  IleLl? 
And  how  could  Hell  forbearc  swallowing  sucli  }M'epared 
morsels,  exceedinge  the  beastlinesse  of  beastes,  inhuman- 
itie  of  wonted  tyrants,  and  diuelishnesse,  if  it  were  pos- 
sible, of  tlie  Diuels." 


h 


.'f 


% 


■*;-f:ie- 


i^-i. 


m 


.u      1    Si-     )l. 


■!■■< 


506 


INDIAN   lUCES  OF  AMKIUCA. 


CHAPTER   III. 

THE  CARIHS TUlilR  ISLANDS  FlIi.ST  VISITED   HY  COLUMBUS — ORIGIN 

AND  LOCATION  OF  THE  RACE — TOKENS  OF  CA^N1UALISM  SEEN  BY 

THE    Sl'A  MAUDS CKl'ISE    AMONG    THE    ISLANDS DEMEANOR 

OF  I'lilSONEliS  TAKEN RETURN    TO  HISl'ANIOLA DESTRUC- 
TION   OF    THE    FORTKE.SS    AT    THAT    ISLAND CAPTURE   OF 

CAONABO  :    IIIf>  DEATH EXPULSION  OF  THE  :>IATIVIi;s 

FROM  THE    CARIRI3EE    ISLANDS. 

At  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  America  by  Christopher 
Columbus,  the  fierce  and  celebrated  race  of  cannibals  which 
forms  the  subject  of  the  present  chapter  was  principally 
located  upon  the  beautiful  tropical  islands,  extending  from 
Porto  Rico  to  the  main  land  of  South  America.  The  ter- 
ror of  their  invasions,  felt  by  the  more  gentle  and  peace- 
able natives  of  the  greater  Antilles,  inspired  no  little 
curiosit}^  and  interest  in  the  minds  of  the  early  voyagers, 
and  Columbus  had  promised  the  assistance  of  the  Spanish 
power  to  check  their  ravages.  Upon  his  second  voyage, 
in  14:93,  the  first  land  made  was  one  of  the  Caribbean  isl- 
ands, and  on  the  following  day,  (November  4th,)  a  landing 
was  effected  at  Guadaloupe.  Here  the  first  intercourse 
took  place  with  the  terrible  Caribs. 

This  singular  race  of  savages,  according  to  tradition, 
had  its  origin  upon  the  continent  of  North  America, 
among  the  mountain  districts  of  the  central  United  States. 
Perhaps  tlic}^  might  have  sprung  from  the  same  stock  as 
the  warlike  Monacans  and  other  savage  tribes  of  the 
interior,  spoken  of  \  early  historians.  "  They  are  said  to 
have  migrated,"  says  ]\Ir.  Irving,  "from  the  remote  val- 
le3'S  embosomed  in  the  Appalachian  mountains.  The 
earliest  notices  we  have  of  them  represent  them  with  their 
weapons  in  their  hands;  continually  engaged  in  wars;  win- 
ning their  way  and  shifting  their  abode,  until  in  the  course 


tribp:s  of  the  west  ixdies,  etc. 


507 


of  time  tlicy  found  themselves  on  the  extreme  end  of 
Florida."  Ilcnce  they  made  their  way  from  one  island  to 
another  to  the  southern  eontincnt.  "Tlie  archil )elaL>o  ex- 
tending  from  Porto  Kico  to  Tobago,  was  their  strong-hold, 
and  the  island  of  Guadaloupe  in  a  manner  their  citadel." 

AVhether  the  foregoing  account  of  the  original  deriva 
tion  of  the  race  be  the  correct  one,  it  would  be  difficult  to 
decide  at  this  distance  of  time.  When  first  known  to 
Europeans  the  different  nations  of  Caribs  were  widely  dif- 
fused upon  the  Continent  of  South  America.  They  were 
to  be  found  upon  the  banks  of  the  Orinoco,  where  their 
descendants  are  living  at  this  day,  and,  still  farther  south, 
in  Brazil.  They  Avere  every  where  noted  for  the  same 
fierce  and  warlike  spirit.  Something.of  the  physical  char- 
acteristics of  the  inhabitants  of  eastern  Asia  has  been 
observed  in  the  Caribs  and  the  Guarani  tribes  who  in- 
habited the  country  north  of  the  Amazon.  As  described 
by  D'Orbigny,  the  following  peculiarities  are  noticeable 
in  most  of  them.  "  Complexion  yellowish ;  stature  middle ; 
forehead  not  so  much  arched  as  in  other  mces;  eyes  ob- 
liquely placed,  and  raised  at  the  outer  angle," 

To  return  to  the  experience  of  the  discoverer  of  the 
New  World  at  the  Caribbee  islands.  At  the  landing  of 
the  Spaniards,  the  natives  fled  from  a  neighboring  village 
into  the  interior.  In  order  to  conciliate  them,  the  visitors 
fastened  hawks'-bells  and  attractive  ornaments  to  the  arms 
of  some  children  who  had  been  left  behind  in  the  hurry  of 
flight.  The  sight  of  human  remains,  among  other  things, 
"the  head  of  a  young  man,  recently  killed,  which  was 
yet  bleeding,  and  some  parts  of  his  body  boiling  widi  the 
flesh  of  geese  and  parrots,  and  others  roasting  before  tlic 
jB.re,"  at  once  suggested  the  thought  that  this  must  be  the 
countrv  of  the  Caribs.  Columbus  took  a  number  of  the 
natives  prisoners,  and  carried  off  several  women  who  had 
been  held  in  captivity  by  the  islanders.     It  appeared  tliat 


! 


Ml 


ir'^F" 


f, 


\ 


,<   IS,/ 


...  .^Ci ''] 


,'     ;>■■.   1^ 


I'i('; 


F 


503 


INDIAN  llACES  OF  AMERICA. 


'^tU'Q 


^:-^ 


4  \ : 

1 

most  of  tlie  men  of  tlio  islau  J  were  away  upon  some  war 
like  excursion. 

Pursuing  his  course  towards  Ilispaniola,  or  Ilayti,  where 
the  (irst  colony  had  been  planted  upon  his  preceding  voy- 
age, Columbus  sailed  by  numerous  islands  of  the  Caribbean 
groape.  He  landed  at  Santa  CruK,  called  Ayay  by  the 
Indians,  and  secured  a  further  number  of  prisoners.  Some 
of  these  were  in  a  canoe,  and  offered  a  liercc  resistance 
Avhon  tliey  saw  their  retreat  intercepted  by  one  of  the 
Spanish  boats.  There  were  two  women  of  the  part}',  one 
of  them  apparently  a  female  cacique,  and  these  showed  no 
less  valor  than  the  men.  They  were  taken  by  upsetting 
their  canoe;  but,  even  in  the  water,  they  resisted  stoutly 
to  the  last,  aVc.iling  thcnibolves  of  every  point  of  sunken 
rock,  where  the}'  could  obtain  a  foothold,  to  discharge 
their  arrows.  One  of  il'e  iii<ni  was  a  son  of  the  queen,  and 
his  "terrible  frowning  brow,  and  lion's  face,"  excited  the 
admiration  of  his  ca|)tors.  The  demeanor  of  the  whole 
party  reminds  one  strongly  of  the  early  descriptions  of  the 
]\Iaquas  or  Mohawks  Avhen  in  captivity. 

"  \Vhen  on  board,"  says  Irving,  "the  Spaniards  could 
not  but  admire  their  untamed  spiiit  and  iierce  demeanour. 
Their  hair  was  long  and  coarse,  their  eyes  encircled  with 
paint,  so  as  to  give  them  a  hideous  expression;  they  had 
bands  of  cotton  bound  firmly  above  and  below  the  muscu- 
lar jiarts  of  the  arms  and  legs,  so  as  to  cause  thein  to  swell 
to  a  disproportionate  size,  Avhich  was  regarded  by  them  as 
a  great  beauty,  a  custom  which  prevailed  among  various 
tribes  of  the  new  world.  Though  captives,  in  chains,  and 
in  the  power  of  their  enemies,  they  still  retained  a  frown- 
ing brow  and  an  air  of  defiance." 

Arriving  at  Ilavti,  Columbus  found  the  settlement  at 
La  Navidad  laid  waste  and  abandoned.  Its  destruction 
was  owing  to  a  Carib  chief  named  Caonabo,  whose  warlike- 
and  commanding  nature  had  gained  him  unbounded  au- 


TRIBES  OF  THE  WEST  IXDIEP,  ETC. 


509 


thority  over  the  natives  of  the  island.  ^J'lio  fact  of  his 
uniting  lunisclf  with  another  race  by  which  his  own  na- 
tion was  regarded  with  tlic  utmost  detestation  aiul  dread, 
and  his  atlainrnent  of  raidc  and  influence  under  snch 
circumstances,  arc  sulTicient  proofs  of  his  enterprise  and 
capacity. 

The  friendly  Indian  chief  Guacanagari  had  in  vain  ex- 
tended his  assistance  to  the  little  hand  of  S})anish  colonists. 
Caonabo  had  heard  at  his  establishment  among  the  moun- 
tains of  Cibao,  of  the  outrages  and  excesses  committed  by 
the  whites,  and  during  the  absence  of  the  admiral,  ho 
made  a  descent  upon  the  fort.  All  of  the  Spaniards  [ler- 
ished,  and  Guacanagari  was  wounded  in  the  encounter. 
As  a  further  punishment  for  his  espousal  of  the  cause  of 
the  detested  strangers,  his  village  was  destro}'ed  by  the 
revengeful  Carib. 

Guacanagari  and  other  ITaytian  Indians  were  taken  on 
board  the  Spanish  vessels,  and,  among  other  proofs  of 
superiority  and  power,  were  shovv^n  the  Carib  prisoners, 
confined  in  chains.  This  seemed  to  affect  them  more 
powerfully  than  any  thing  else  that  they  witnessed.  These 
captives  were  afterwards  sent  over  to  Spain  for  instruction 
in  the  Spanish  language  and  in  the  true  religion,  it  being 
intended  tlnit  they  should  thereafter  act  as  missionaries 
among  their  own  savage  countrymen. 

The  circumstances  attending  the  capture  of  the  Span- 
iards' most  dreaded  enemy,  Caonabo,  are  too  singular  and 
well  attested  to  be  passed  over.  This  was  accomplished 
by  the  celebrated  Alonzo  de  Ojeda,  comiaandant  of  the 
fortress  of  St.  Thomas.  The  Carib  chief  was  able,  it  is 
asserted,  to  bring  no  less  than  ten  thousand  warriors  into 
the  field,  and  his  personal  strei'gth  and  courage  rendered 
him  no  despicable  foe  in  open  combat.  Ojeda  had  recourse 
to  the  following  stratagem  to  secure  his  enemy:  lie  pro- 
ceeded, accompanied  by  only  ten  mounted  companions. 


m 


■■k  I 


I  m 


•i  < 


510 


INDIAN   KACES  OF  AM^KICA. 


1  .  • 


direct  to  the  cliicfs  eiicauipmcnt,  upon  pretence  of  a 
friendly  mission  from  the  admiral. 

The  cacique  was,  after  great  persuasion,  induced  to 
undertake  an  expedition  to  Jsabelhi  for  the  pur})Ose  of 
peacefid  negotiations  Avith  Columbus.  Among  other  in- 
ducements, Ojeda  })romised  him  the  chapel-bell,  as  a  jires- 
ent.  Accompanied  by  a  large  body  of  armed  warriors, 
the  party  set  out  for  tiie  Spanish  settlement.  Near  the 
river  Yagui,  in  the  words  of  ^Mr.  Irving,  "Ojcda  one  day 
produced  a  set  of  manacles  of  polished  steel,  so  highly 
burnished  that  they  looked  like  silver.  Those  he  assured 
Caonabo  were  royal  ornaments  which  had  come  from 
heaven,  or  the  Turey  of  Biscay,"  (the  location  of  certain 
extensive  iron  manufactories);  "that  they  were  worn  by 
the  monarchs  of  Castile  in  solemn  dances,  and  other  hiu-h 
festivities,  and  were  intended  as  presents  to  the  cacique. 
ITe  proi)osed  that  Caonabo  should  go  to  the  river  and 
bathe,  after  which  he  should  be  decorated  with  tliese  oi-na- 
ments,  mounted  on  the  horse  of  Ojeda,  and  should  return 
in  the  state  of  a  Spanish  monarch,  to  astonish  his  subjects." 

The  bold  device  was  completely  successful.  Caonabo, 
en  crou])e  behind  Ojeda,  for  a  short  time  exulted  in  his 
proud  position,  curvetting  among  his  amazed  warriors; 
but  suddenly  the  little  cavalcade  dashed  into  the  forest  with 
a  rapidity  that  defied  j^ursuit.  The  cacique  was  safely 
carried  a  distance  of  fifty  or  sixty  leagues  to  Isabella,  and 
delivered  to  the  admiral.  lie  ever  after  expressed  great 
admiration  at  the  skill  and  courage  with  which  his  captor 
had  duped  him,  and  manifested  a  reverence  and  rcs])ect 
towards  Ojeda  v  hicli  his  proud  and  haughty  spirit  forbade 
him  to  exhibit  in  any  other  presence,  even  that  of  Colum- 
bus himself. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  the  admiral's  second  return  to 
Spain,  in  1497,  Caonabo,  with  several  of  his  rciatives,  and 
a  number  of  other  Indians,  was  taken  on  boaid.     Baffled 


■V* 


}    of  a 

ced  to 

)Ose  of 
licr  iii- 
a  pros- 
arrioi's, 
car  tlic 
)ne  day 
liiglily 
assured 
10  from 
certai  n 
rorn  by 
icr  high 
caciqiu!. 
vcr  and 
|se  orna- 
1  return 
ojeets." 
lonaho, 
in  his 
'arriors ; 
.\st  Avitli 
safely 
hv,  and 
d  great 
captcjr 
respect 
forbade 
Colum- 

turn  to 
res,  and 
Baffled 


■:::;J 


\\\h\ 


!  ! 


TRIBF.a  OF  TIIK  WEST  INU'ES,  ETC. 


511 


by  contrary  winds,  the  vessels  were  a  long  time  delayed  at 
the  very  commencement  of  the  voyage.  A  landing  was 
cU'eeted  at  Guadaloupe,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  fresh 
provisions. 

The  inhabitants  exhibited  their  natural  hostilit_y  of 
disposition,  and  it  was  especially  observed,  as  upon  a 
former  occasion,  that  the  wom«n  were  as  warlike  and  cITi- 
cient  as  the  men.  A  number  of  these  females  were  made 
prisoners,  among  the  rest,  one  Avho  was  wife  of  a  chief  of 
the  island,  a  woman  of  most  remarkable  agility  and  strength. 
Ou  setting  sail,  the  admiral,  desirous  of  conciliating  tiie 
good-will  of  the  natives,  set  his  prisoiicrs  free,  and  gave 
them  divers  presents  in  j^ay  for  the  provisions  and  stores 
plundered  by  his  crew.  The  cacique's  wife  was  allowed 
to  remain  on  board,  with  her  daugliter,  at  her  own  re- 
quest, she  having  become  enamored  of  the  captive  Caonabo. 
This  distinguished  chieftain  died  before  the  vessels  reach- 
ed Spain. 

The  Carib  tribes  who  occupied  the  islands  where  the 
race  was  first  encountered  by  Europeans,  maintained  pos- 
session of  their  homes  as  long  is  courag'^  and  desperation 
could  avail  u'^ainst  the  superior  skill  anci  weapons  of  the 
whites.  Spanish  cupidity,  and  loVe  of  novelty  and  ad- 
venture led  to  the  gradual  occupation  of  the  Caribbee 
islands.  In  some  of  them,  bloody  battles  were  fought :  "  At 
St.  Christopher's,"  according  to  the  Rev.  AV.  II.  Brett,  "in 
1625,  two  thousand  Caribs  perished  in  battle,  whilst  their 
European  invaders  lost  one  hundred  men.  In  the  other 
islands  their  losses  were  equally  great.  These  calamities 
would  cause  a  migratioi  of  trhe  natives  when  they  found  it 
useless  to  fight  any  niore.  Some  of  the  islands,  as  Alar- 
tiuico,  were  suddenly  abandoned  by  them,  after  a  fierce 
but  unavailing  struizu'le. 

''J^'hosc  of  the  Caribs  who  chose  to  forsake  the  islands 
entirely,  would  naturally  take  refuge  with  their  brethren 


,.  .   :•    1^'' 


!  t; 


S? 


r '-: 


1l^ 


512 


INDIAN    KACKS  OF  A.MlllMi'A. 


already  sctl,I(Ml  in  Guiana,  and  l)y  IIkmi-  valor  srcnrc  to 
tlieiiisolves  surli  poilions  of  llio  cuunlry  as  ihcy  iniglit 
tliiiik  pro|)('r  to  occupy;  as  few  tribes  would  l)e  alile,  oi 
indeed  dare,  to  ojipose  tliciii.  A  remnaiit  of  the  Caribs 
still  remained  at  8t.  A^ineent,  and  they  were  transported, 
about  the  end  of  the  last  centuiy,  to  the  island  oi'  iiualtaii, 
in  the  bay  of  Jlonduras." 

This  o)ico  terrible  and  dreaded  I'acc — i^o  dreaded  hy  tho 
Spaniai'ds  that  vague  rL})orts  of  tho  approacli  of  an  army 
of  Cjiribs  could  terrify  the  conquerors  of  Peru  in  tlie  mid.st 
of  their  successes — is  now  reduced  to  a  few  insignificant 
tribes.  They  arc  scaltcj'ed  in  tlic  wilderness  of  Guiana, 
and  mingled  ^vitll  other  nations  of  the  interior.  Ab(Mit 
the  u])pcr  waters  of  tlie  r(jincroon  is  one  of  th('ir  most 
considerable  establishments,  and  the  tribe  th"i'e  located 
numbers  but  a  few  hundred  savaLres,  livinfjr  in  almost  as 
primitive  a  state  as  when  Columbus  first  coasted  along 
these  tropical  shores. 


CIIArXER  IV. 


I  i 

II 


INDIANS  OF  GUIANA  AND  VKNEZUICLA — CLASSIP ICATIOX — TIIR   ARA- 

WAKS FIRST  SKIvN  BY  COLUMIIUS — ENTRY  INTO  THK  (UJLF  OF 

TARIA — HOSPITALITY  OF  THF.  NATIVES — RAEKIGlTs  VISrr 

TO  THE  ORINOCO EARLY  WARS  OF  THE   A1;A  WAK^; — 

VICTORY  OVER  THE  CARIES r.IAUOON  NIUiROES 

PRESENT    CONDITION  OF  THE  AKAWAKS 

OTHER  TRIBES  OF  THE  INTERIOR 

GENERAL  DESCRIPTION- 

The  tribes  who  inhabit  the  wilderness  between  the 
Amazon  and  the  sea-coast  settlements  at  the  north,  upon 
the  Caribbean  sea  and  tlie  Atlantic,  have  been  classiiivHl  as 
belonging  to  the  same  family  with  the  aboriginal  inhabit- 


I 


1 1 

M 


1 1 


jn 


>ciiro  to 

y  tiiiglit 
able,  oi 
;  Ciiribs 
sported, 
aiiattan, 

1  1)\-  liio 
;iu  army 
!ic  midst 
j;i)  ill  cant 
Guiana, 
Al)out 
['ir  most 
;  located 
Imost  as 
id  along 


niE   ARA- 
lULF  OF 
ISIT 


2cn 


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TllinKS  OF  TFIK  WKST  IXDIEJ^,  KIT. 


r.i?, 


I  I 


,1 


M 

1 1 


I 


anta  of  Bni/il.  Tin-  imco  lias  Iti'cii  <1iiiMiiii>)rii(vl  tlm 
"Brasilio  (iuaiimui,"  and  has  been  divided  inlo  iho  luiiions 
of  <  iiiaiaiii,  ('iiril)s, 'riqii,  and  Pjotocudos. 

1)1  <  (iiiaiia  oiuM)!'  tin;  most  proniiiuMit  Irilx's  i«  that  of 
tho  Arawuks.  These  |1{'(»[)K)  iidiabit  a  i^rcat  cxtoiii  of 
couiitiy  direc^lly  ha<'k  of  the  iiaiiow  strip  of  cuUivakMl 
pcii-coast.  Nearly  the  whole  ol'  thrii-  tci'riloiy  is  ji  Rava<.;o 
wilderness,  in  whieh  the  IravelKf  in  vain  seeks  f()r  any 
cvidenee  oC  [)rogress,  or  any  tt^kcns  of  former  eivili/ation 
and  j)rosi)erity.  A  few  rude  figiuvs,  marked  iijion  th(5 
rocks  ill  ciM'tairi  loealilies,  ui'c  the  only  records  of  the,  inim- 
bcrkiss  pjeucrutions  wh'ch  have  passed  away,  leaviiisj;  their 
deseendaiils  precisely  in  tlu;  situation  (.>f  those  who  j)re- 
ceded  them,  and  as  hopxdess  or  careless  of  improvement. 
Th(!  Arawaks  were  tlie  first  na.ti\'(\s  seen  by  Columbus, 
upon  the  occasion  of  hi.s  discovery  of  tlio  continent  of 
South  America,  iuthe  summer  fif  1  I!'S.         « 

The  first  land  made  was  the  island  of  Trinidad,  at  tho 
mouth  of  the  great  river  Orinoco.  No  Indians  were  seen 
upon  the  island  by  a  parly  sent  on  shore,  although  unmis- 
takable tokens  of  a  recent  and  hasty  retreat  were  visible. 
As  tho  vessels  a})i)roaehed  the  Serpent's  Mouth,  (thcEoulh- 
crn  entrance  to  the  .^nilf  of  Turia,)  twenty-nve  of  tho 
natives  mad(5  tlieii*  ajjpearance  in  a  canoe,  ^i'o  the  aslo)i- 
ishmcnt  of  the  admiral,  who  had  expected,  from  the  re])ovls 
at  llisiianiola,  to  find  a  race  of  negroes  in  these  southern 
latitudes,  they  were  of  lighter  complexion  than  any  with 
whom  he  had  before  held  intercourse.  I^heir  figures  were 
well  jtrojjortioned  and  graceful;  their  only  clothing  was  a 
sort  of  turban,  and  a  waistl)and  of  colored  cotton;  and 
their  arms  were  bows  and  arrows.  AVhen  an  attempt  was 
made  to  conciliate  these  wild  voyagers  by  dancing  and 
music,  it  was  mistaken  for  a  sign  of  hostility,  and  thesuji- 
posed  war-dance  was  summarily  stopped  by  a  flight  of 
arrows.  'Jlic  suspicions  of  the  natives  prevented  the 
88 


I 


:M\ 


i 


I 


■\ 


■\-< 


\i 


•"I 


514 


INDIAN  llACES  OF  AMERICA. 


opening  of  any  communication  with  them  until  after  the 
entry  of  the  ships  into  the  gulf  Several  of  them  Avcro 
then  taken  by  upsetting  their  canoe,  and,  after  being  kindly 
entreated  and  encouraged,  were  dismissed  with  the  usual 
})rcsents  of  trinkets  and  hawks'-bclls.  When  the  fears  of 
the  iuLabitants  were  dissi2:)atcd  by  this  procedure,  they 
were  eager  to  crowd  about  the  vessels  in  their  canoes. 
These  latter  were  of  excellent  construction  and  large  size ; 
some  of  them  were  even  furnished  with  a  cabin. 

The  cacique  of  the  county  received  the  Spaniards  at  his 
house  with  the  greatest  respect  and  hospitality,  and  feasted 
them  upon  whatever  luxuries  the  fruitful  soil  produced, 
"Nothing,"  says  Irving,  "could  exceed  the  kindness  and 
amity  of  tliis  people,  heightened  as  it  was  by  an  intelligent 
demeanour  and  a  martial  frankness.  They  seemed  worthy 
of  tlie  beautiful  country  they  inhabited.  It  was  a  cause  of 
great  concern,  both  to  them  and  to  the  Spaniards,  that  they 
could  not  understand  each  others'  language." 

Sir  Walter  Ealeigh  entered  the  Orinoco  in  the  year  1595, 
and  brought  home  some  account  of  the  natives  seen  there. 
As  recorded  by  Purchas:  "The  inhabitants  on  the  North- 
erne  branches  are  the  Tiuitiuas,  a  goodly  and  valiant  ])cople, 
which  haue  the  most  manly  speech  and  most  deliberate 
(saith  Sir  AValter)  that  euer  I  heard  of  whatever  Nation 
socuer.  In  the  Summer  they  haue  houses  on  the  trround, 
oKing  Abiheia  as  in  othcr  placcs:  in  the  Winter  they  dwelt 
dwelt  on  a  tree  ypon  tlic  trccs,"  whcrc  they  built  very  artifi- 
in  t  L- countrey    ^-,^1^   Towncs   and  Villages;    for   betweene 

01  Dnnena.  °  . 

Pel.  Martyr:  May  and  September  the  Rmer  of  Orenoque 
Dec.  3.  lib.  6.  riseth  thlrtie  foot  vpright,  and  then  are  those 
Islands  ouer-flowen  twentie  foot  high,  except  in  some  few 
raised  grounds  in  the  middle.  This  waterie  store,  when 
the  clouds  are  so  prodigall  of  more  then  the  Riuei\s  store- 
liouse  can  hold,  whereby  they  became  violent  intruders 
und  ineroachers  \pon  tlie  land,  and  not  the  violence  of 


1 1 


li 


i 


I  ! 


i! 


after  tlic 
bcm  wcro 
ng  kindly 
tlic  usual 
le  fears  of 
iure,  tlicy 
ir  canoes, 
large  size; 

arcls  at  liis 
,ncl  feasted 
produced, 
dncss  and 
intelligent 
led  worthy 
,  a  cause  of 
5,  that  tliey 

year  1595, 

seen  there, 
ic  North - 

mt  jicople, 
deliberate 

er  Nation 
c  around, 
icy  dwelt 

/erv  artifi- 
betweene 
Orcnoquc 
are  those 
some  few 
ore,  when 
icrs  store- 
intruders 
olcnco  of 


li 


i! 


TRIBES  OF  THE  WEST  INDIES,  ETC. 


515 


cold,  giueth  this  time  the  title  of  "Winter.  These  Tiuitiuas 
neucr  eat  of  any  thing  that  is  set  or  sownc;  Natures  nurs- 
lings, that  neither  at  home  nor  abroad,  will  be  beholden 
to  tlie  art  or  labour  of  Husbandrie.  They  vsc  the  tops 
of  Palmitos  for  bread,  and  kill  Deere,  Fish,  and  Porke, 
for  the  rest  of  their  sustenance.  They  which  dwell  vpon 
the  branches  of  the  Orcnoquc,  called  Capuri  atid  Macnrco, 
are  for  the  most  part  Carpenters  of  Canoas,  which  they 
sell  into  Guiana  for  gold,  and  into  Trinidado  for  Tabacco, 
in  the  excessiue  taking  whereof,  they  exceed  all  Nations. 
AVhen  a  Commander  dieth,  they  ^'se  great  lamentation,  and 
when  they  tliinke  the  flesh  of  their  bodies  is  puti'ified  and 
fallen  from  the  bones,  they  take  vp  the  karkasse  againc, 
and  hang  it  vp  in  the  house,  where  he  had  dwelt,  decking 
his  skull  with  feathers  of  all  colours,  and  hanuinG^  his  TOld- 
plates  about  the  bones  of  his  arms,  thighes  and  Icgges. 
The  Arwacas,  wdiich  dwell  on  the  South  of  the  Orenoque, 
beat  the  bones  of  their  Lords  into  Powder,  which  their 
wiues  and  friends  drinke." 

In  early  times  the  AraAvaks  were  engaged  in  perpetual 
wars  with  the  Caribs.  Those  of  the  latter  race,  wlio  inhab- 
ited the  nearest  Caribbean  islands,  made  continual  descents 
upon  the  main,  but  are  said,  finall}',  to  have  been  worsted. 
The  Rev.  \Y.  11.  Brett  recounts  some  of  the  traditions  still 
handed  down  among  the  Arawaks  of  these  wars.  "They 
have,"  says  he,  "an  indistinct  idea  of  cruelties  perpetrated 
by  the  Spaniards.  Tradition  has  preserved  the  remem- 
brance of  white  men  clothed  with  'seperari'  or  iron, 
who  drove  their  fathers  before  them,  and,  as  some  say, 
hunted  them  with  dogs  through  the  forest.  But  by  far 
the  greater  number  of  their  traditions  relate  to  engage- 
ments between  themselves  and  the  Caribs  on  the  main 
land."  With  peculiar  exultation  they  detail  the  particu- 
lars of  a  victory  obtained  over  a  great  body  of  these 
invaders  by  nicans  of  a  judicious  ambush.     The  Arawaks 


I-:'-- 


:^' 


->'. 


i 


'-'M 


1   -"iSl 


■'m¥ 


']'■! 


19. 

i'i'''' 


K 


;ii 


w      .1.! 


■■■■  4'"  h  '  ■;    '<■ 


r:;"n 


^ 


516 


INDIAN   RACES   OF  AMERICA. 


had  /led  from  tlicir  approach  to  the  ]o\v  marshy  country 
upon  the  Waini,  and  laid  their  anibupcadc  upon  either 
side  of  the  narrow  channel  throngh  which  the  enerny  were 
expected  to  pass,  "The  Carihs  arc  said  t(;  have  had  a 
great  number  of  canoes  of  large  size,  which  followed  each 
other,  in  line,  through  the  mazy  channels  of  the  Savannah. 
As  they  rounded  a  certain  island,  tlicii-  painted  warriors 
in  the  lirsf  canoe  were  ti-.-m.^fixed  hy  a'showcr  of  arrows 
from  an  unseen  enemy  on  l)oth  sides  of  them,  and  totally 
disal)led.  Those  in  the  second  canoe  shared  the  same  fate ; 
the  others,  who  could  not  see  what  had  happened,  hurried 
forward  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  cries,  but  each  canoe, 
as  it  readied  the  flxtal  spot,  Avas  saluted  by  a  deadly  shower 
of  arrows.  '^Fhe  Arawaks  then  rushed  forward,  and  fouglit 
till  the  victory  was  completed.  It  is  said  tliat  onl}^  two 
Caribs  survived,  and  they  were  dismissed  by  the  Arawak 
chieftain,  on  promise  of  a  ransom  to  be  paid  in  cotton 
hammocks,  for  the  manufacture  of  which  their  nation 
is  noted." 

After  the  settlement  of  difficulties  between  the  European 
colonists  of  Guiana  and  the  neighboring  Indian  tribes,  the 
introduction  of  negro  slaves  by  the  former  proved  a  ter- 
rible scourge  to  the  natives.  Great  numbers  of  the  Afri- 
cans escaped  from  their  masters  into  the  wilderness,  and 
there  forming  predatory  bands,  were  long  a  terror  to  both 
whitos  and  Indians.  "The  accounts  which  the  Arawaks 
have  received  from  their  ancestors,  represent  these  negroes 
as  equally  ferocious  with  the  Caribs,  and  more  to  be  dreaded 
on  account  of  their  superior  bodily  strength." 

The  Arawaks  of  the  present  day  are,  like  their  forefath- 
ers, a  more  mild  and  peaceable  race  than  many  of  their 
neighbors.  In  their  domestic  relations  and  general  man- 
ner of  life,  they  do  not  differ  materially  from  the  gener- 
ality of  the  North  American  savages.  Togethei-  Avilh  the 
rude  clubs,  bows  and  arrows,  &,c.,  so  universal  among  bar- 


:)nntry 

cither 

y  wore 

;d  each 
aniian.    1 1 
rarriors    ■■. 
arrows 
totally    I 
nc  fate ;    I 
hurried    j 
1  canoe,    ! 
shower    i 
I  fought    ' 
lily  two 
Arawak 
I  cotton 
r  nation 

lUropean 
|ibos,  the 

d  a  ter- 
Ihe  Afri- 

css,  and 

to  both 
rawaks 

1  neo'roes 

J  ~ 

Idrcadcd 


lorcfath- 
lof  their 
lal  man- 
goner- 
Ivilh  the 
bng  bar- 


TlllBES  OF  THE  WESL'  INDIES,  ETC. 


517 


barous  nations,  tlicy  have  the  more  cfhcicnt  weapons  of 
the  Luiropean,  The  Indian  is  every  where  (piick  to  per- 
ceive the  advantage  of  fire-arms,  and  apt  in  aecpiiring  their 
use.  Gliristian  missionaries  have  devoted  themselves  with 
great  zeal  and  perseverance  to  the  instruction  and  improve- 
ment of  this  tribe,  and  the  natural  kindly  disposition  of 
the  ]'ace  seems  to  favor  the  undertaking. 

Besides  the  Caribs  and  Arawaks,  the  principal  Indian 
tribes  of  Guiana  are  the  Waraus,  and  the  Wacawoios;  in 
addition  to  these  are  the  minor  nations  of  the  Arecunas, 
Zaparas,  Soerikongs,  AVo}'awais,  i^anoghottos,  &c.,  kc. 
]Most  of  these  are  barbarous  tribes,  not  snfliciently  variant 
IVom  each  other  to  render  a  distinct  consideration  valuable 
or  interesting. 

The  vast  wilderness  which  they  inhabit  is  little  visited 
by  whites.  From  the  coast  settlements  the  only  available 
routes  into  the  interior  are  by  means  of  the  numerous  riv- 
ers, U})on  whose  banks  missionary  enterprise  has  here  and 
there  established  a  little  settlement  as  a  nucleus  for  future 
operations  among  the  natives  at  large.  From  Mr.  Brett's  . 
narrative  of  his  own  observation  and  experience  in  these 
wilds,  we  (pdote  the  following  items  of  general  description: 

"The  appearance  of  the  Indian  in  his  natural  state  is 
not  unpleasing  when  the  eye  has  become  accustimied  to 
his  scant}'  attire.  He  is  smaller  in  size  than  either  the 
European  or  the  negro,  nor  does  he  possess  the  bodily 
strength  of  either  of  these.  Few  of  his  race  ex-cccd  live 
feet  live  inches  in  height,  and.  the  greater  nundier  are 
much  shorter.  They  arc  generally  well  made;  many  are 
rather  stout  in  proportion  to  their  heiglit,  and  it  is  very 
rare  to  see  a  deformed  person  among  them." 

In  respect  to  dress,  wliiith,  both  for  men  and  women,  is 
of  the  most  scanty  pro])ortions,  (consisting  only  of  a  Ijand- 
age  about  the  loins,  with  perhaps  a  few  oruanieulal  arti- 
cles of  feather-work  for  state  occasions,)  the  eiforts  of  the 


...  )||, 


>:  i.  ; 


i 


"''*ff;'^!lii.:Jv; 


■  ,! 


518 


INDIAN    HACKS   OF    AMICUK^A. 


iriissioiiarics  li:ivo  cncx'tcd  Hoiiie  cliaiigi'.  in  llicsc  ])r()U_L;li» 
under  llicir  'nillii('ni:(\  In  a  burning-  li>)[)i('al  clinn',  t!io 
proprioliy  ur  policy  of  such  lancicd  ini])rov(Mn(ni  is  vciy 
(pu'siionaljle.  IC  no  ininiodcsty  is  coniicchMl  wlili  iia!vcd- 
iicss  ill  llie  oyos  ol'  tii(i  unsophislicatcd  luitivcs,  il,  woidd 
socni  liardly  worlli  while  to  cnli,^hl.en  them  upon  such  a 
subjtx'l,  for  the  juii'pose  oC  est ablishi  1114-  a  eoiilijnnily  to 
]<lnropean  eiislonis. 

Our  aiillier  continues:  '"riicir  color  is  a  co])[)or  tint, 
j>leasiii^'  to  the  eye,  and  the  skin,  where;  constantly  covered 
from  the  sun,  is  little  darker  than  that  of  the  natives  of 
Soiilliern  Miirope.  'J^heir  hair  is  straight  and  coaisi^,  and 
continues  perfectly  black  till  an  advanced  period  of  lill\ 
^riie  f^eneral  exj)rc>ssioii  of  the  lace  is  jMleasiii'j:',  thougli  it 
vai'ies  with  the  tribe,  aiul  the  disposition  of  each  jx-rson. 
M'hcir  eyi's  are  black  and  piercing,  and  gen(;rally  slant  u|)- 
vvards  11  little  towards  the  temple,  which  would  give  an 
unplcariant  (\\prossion  to  the  i'ace,  were  it  not  I'elievcd  by 
tlie  sweet  expression  of  the  mouth,  llie  forehead  gen- 
erally recedes,  though  in  a  less  degree  than  in  the  vMVican; 
there  is,  however,  much  diffei-cnce  in  this  respect,  and  in 
some  Individuals  it  is  well  formed  and  prominent." 

The  usual  division  of  labor  among  savage  nations  is 
observed  in  Guiana.  'J^he  daily  drudgeiy  of  the  household 
belongs  to  the  Avomen,  who  also  cultivate  the  small  fields 
in  which  the  yuca,  (the  root  from  which  they  ma^-i.  their 
bread,)  and  the  other  cultivatod  crops  arc  raised,  '^^fhe 
men  pursue  their  hunting  and  fishing,  and  undertake  the 
moi'c  severe  labors  attendant  upon  the  building  their  huts, 
the  clearing  of  new  ground,  &e. 

The  native  dwelling  is  generally  little  more  than  a  roof 
of  palradcaf  thatch  supported  u])on  posts,  between  whioh 
hang  the  cotton  hammocks  in  which  the  occiipants  sleep. 
Some  few  im})lcinents  of  iron-ware,  and  articles  of  pottery 
of  a  more  substantial  and  practical  form  than  that  manii- 


.'■•:♦ 


r; 


lie,  tllO 
IS  vci'y 
li;ik('<l- 
would 
siu'li  :i 
uiiy  to 

iM-  til  it, 
■overed 
.ivos  i>f 
sc,  ;ui(l 
of  lilc. 
ougli  it 
person, 
hint  up- 
givc  an 
^vcd  by 
\(\   gcn- 

I'ican; 

uul  in 

ions  is 
isi'liold 
Holds 
-.,  tlicir 
Tlio 
a  KG  tlio 
ir  lints, 

a  roof 
1  whi^h 


s 


4  slcc[). 
pottery 
niann- 


-^--n 


TRinKS  OF  THE  WEST  INDIES,  ETO. 


519 


factnred  by  tlierns(!lves,  are  geuerully  pnxtiutid  by  trade; 
with  the  eoast,  but  these,  ;ii-(3  all  of  tin;  slinpl(>st  description. 
Mai/e,  with  cassava,  yams,  potatoes  and  other  ]-oots, 
e(iiistitnt(>s  their  principal  ve,^etablc  food.  ^rh(>  cassava,  is 
])r«'[tared  by  j^rating',  or  sei'ajiin.ir,  and  snliseqiKait  j^njssure 
in  a  i'eee[)taelo  of  basket-worlc.  'I'h  is  strainer  is  const  ni(;led 
in  tli(^  Conn  of  a,  "Ioii^l^  tidjo,  o[)en  at  the  toj)  and  (ilose.d  at 
the  bottom,  to  which  a  strong  loop  is  att,achcd.  ^J'he  pnlpy 
mass  of  cassava  is  plaeiMl  in  this,  and  it  is  suspended  from 
a  beam.  One  end  of  a,  lai'go  stafl'  is  then  plactcd  through 
the  loop  at  the  bottom,  th(;  woman  sits  upcjii  the  centre  of 


th 


ji: 


or 


att,acli 


les  a  heavy  ;5ton( 


to  tlu!  end,  and   the 


weight  stretches  the  clastic  tube,  wdiich  presses  tlic  cassava 
inside,  causing  the  juice  to  flow  tlirougli  the  interstiec^s  of 
the  ])laited  material  of  which  it  is  made.  This  liquor  is 
carefully  (jollcctcd  in  a  vessel  j)laced  beneath.  It  is  a  most 
deadly  poison;  but  after  being  boihul,  it  becomes  perfectly 
wholesome,  and  is  the  initritious  sauce,  called  casareep, 
which  forms  the  principal  ingredient  in  the  pcppcr-pot,  a 
favourite  dish  of  the  country." 


„■'"•..'  '  :V 


u-r._. 


1  fs;,^! 


iff 


■'  i 


V',; 


III 


■•:^^--::i:-.;* 


TUE  ABORIGINES  OF  PERU. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PHYSICAL    PECULIAniTIES  OF  THE    QUICHUAS,  AYMARAS,  ATACAMAS, 

AND  CHANGOS NATURE  OF  THE  COUNTRY PERUVIAN  WORKS  OF 

ART,  ETC. FIRST  RUMORS  OF  THE  WEALTH  OF  THE  COUNTRY — 

EXPEDITION  OF  PASCUAL  DE  ANDAGOYA FRANCISCO  PIZAR- 

RO  :  HIS  FIRST  VOYAGE  OF  DISCOVERY ALMAGRO's  VOYAGE 

CONTRACT  OF  PIZARRO,  ALMAGRO,  AND  LUQUE THE 

SECOND  EXPEDITION — PIZARRO  AND  HIS  COMPi*  NIONS 

UPON  THE    ISLE  OF  GORGONA CONTINUATION    OF 

THE  VOYAGE TUMBEZ RETURN   TO    PANAMA. 

The  Peruvian  and  Araucanian  races  alone,  among  tlie 
Soutli  .ilmerican  aborigines,  present  subjects  of  interest  to 
the  historian.  The  other  tribes  of  that  great  portion  of 
the  western  continent  arc  at  un  infinite  remove  from  these 
in  the  scale  of  civilization,  and  can  scarce  be  said  to  have 
any  separate  national  histoiy.  We  shall  describe  their 
habits  and  physical  appearance,  much  as  we  should  enter 
upon  the  duties  of  the  writer  upon  natural  history :  an 
attempt  to  arrange  a  serial  narrative  of  events,  as  con- 
nected with  them  would  be  useless. 

Widely  contrasted  with  the  wild  an'l  savage  tribes  of 
the  interior,  and  of  the  eastern  coast,  the  reruvia-:;s  oiler, 
in  their  character  and  liistory,  a  fruitfid  theme  for  the 
attention  and  research  of  tlic  historian  and  t^'c  philoso- 
pher. As  a  nation,  they  Avere,  Avhen  discovered  by  Euro- 
peans, perfectly  un  ique.     Such  refinements  in  government, 


•ji; 


jn::*-\ 


J.*  ^1 


!■■ /I  .i  .V  I  ■  I  s  CO     r  /  /.i  H  li  ti 


>^ 


a^T  \ 


I   V 


I  I 


!! 


ii 


SOUTH  AMEUICAN    INDIANS. 


521 


1 1 
I.. 


such  unity  of  ]MirpoP(>,  ami  su(!li  [jorfoct  systorn,  as  wero 
olisorvablo  in  all  tlu^ir  ciistoins  and  usa,i.';cs,  liavc^  nc^vor  been 
even  attempted,  nuicli  less  aceoinpli.slied,  by  any  other 
eoiniuunity  througliout  the  ,ii,'lobe. 

The  jiliysical  conformat'KMi  of  the  (iuieluia  race,  the 
most  jn'omiuent  among-  the  ancient  iidiabitants  of  J'ern,  is 
somewhat  singular.  The  effects  of  living  at  such  an  im- 
mense elevation  as  that  of  many  of  their  cities,  and  of  the 
gi'oat  plateaus  which  they  inhabit  among  the  Andes,  cnuse 
a  remarkable  development  of  the  chest.  The  rarity  of  tlie 
air  in  mountainous  districts  render  a  much  greater  volume 
of  it  necessary  in  I'cspdration.  The  Quichuas  have  thei'e- 
fore,  according  to  M.  d'Orbigny,  "very  hu\uv,  square 
shoulders,  a  broad  chest,  very  voluminous,  highly  arched, 
and  longer  than  usual,  whicli  increases  the  si/e  of  the 
ti'unk.  ■■■^  ■•'■  The  extremities  are  nevertheless,  very  muscu- 
lar, ar.d  bespeak  great  strength;  the  head  is  lai'gcr  than 
usual  in  proportion  to  the  rest  of  the  body ;  the  hands  and 
feet  are  always  small." 

The  (Quichuas  dilfer,  in  a  marked  manner,  from  most  of 
the  other  South  American  nations,  in  the  features  of  the 
countenance.  These  are  said  in  some  degree  to  approach 
the  Mexican  type.  A  prominent  accpinine  nose,  large  nos- 
trils, the  forehead  somewhat  retreating,  a  moderately  full 
cerebral  development,  rather  a  large  mouth,  adorned  with 
line  teeth,  and  a  short  but  well  dchned  chin,  may  be  given 
as  generally  characteristic  of  the  race. 

The  Quichuas  have  beautifully  soft,  thick,  and  ilowing 
hair,  but  are  almost  destitute  of  beards.  Their  complex- 
ion is  a  brown  olive,  entirely  distinct  from  the  reddish  or 
copper  hue  of  must  of  the  North  American  Indians.  It 
approaches  that  of  the  mulatto  mure  nearh'  than  that  of 
the  ^Aher  Amei'ican  aborigines,  and  is  spoken  of  as  singu- 
larly uniform.  They  are  of  low  stature,  parti. ■uhuiy  those 
who  live  in  the  more  elevated  regions.     Their  general 


Ii 


^i 


'SI 

'  IM 


'' ' '  f  1 


m 


\  M 


^■M 


■'-  'Viffi 


'1 


/'% 


INDIAN  RACES  UF  .A  M  IIIIK.'A. 


plijslogiioiny,  in  the  words  of  tlio  aullioi"  ru,«jvo  cit-i^d,  "is, 
uj)oii  the  whole,  uiiironn,  serious,  rcfieutivi',  iiicl.iiiclioly, 
without,  however,  showing  iiuliHereiieo:  it  denotes  mtlier 
penetration  without  fraidcnerfs.  *  *  Their  leiitures  aUo- 
gether  retain  a  medioerity  (jf  expression,  '^i'he  women 
arc  seldom  very  handsome;  their  noses  arc  not  so  jironii- 
ncnt  or  curved  as  those  of  the  men:  the  hitter,  although 
they  have  no  heard,  have  a  masculine  expression,  derived 
from  their  strongly-marked  features.  An  ancient  vase, 
which  represents  with  striking  fidelity,  the  features  of  tho 
])reserit  race  of  Quichuas  convinces  us  that  f  )r  four  and 
five  centui'ics  their  physiognomy  has  undergono  no  sen- 
sible alteration." 

The  Aymaras,  the  secon  1  in  the  grand  division  of  the 
rcruvian  races,  bear  a,  close  resemblance  to  those  just 
described.  In  early  times  the  strange  and  unnatnral  cus- 
tom of  ilc'ittcning  the  head  obtained  among  them,  as  is  fully 
proved  by  the  contour  of  many  skulls  found  in  their 
ancient  places  of  burial  or  deposit. 

No  material  variation  from  the  Quichuan  bodily  forma- 
tion is  noticeable  in  the  Atacamas,  who  inhabit  the  \\'cstcrn 
slope  o^  the  Andes;  but  the  Changes,  dwelling  upon  the 
hot  levels  of  the  sea-coast,  "are  of  darker  hue:  their 
colour  is  a  tawny,  approaching  to  black." 

The  country  iidiabitcd  by  these  three  races,  although 
lying  within  the  tropics,  and  in  certain  localities  luxuri- 
antly rich  and  fertile,  presents  obstacles  to  the  agricultur- 
alist, which  would  seem  almost  insurmountable.  Nothing 
but  the  whole  industry  of  a  gi'cat  nation,  directed  system- 
atically to  the  work  of  reclamation  and  improvement, 
could  ever  have  made  Peru  what  it  was  in  the  days  of 
the  Incas. 

A  flat  and  sterile  plain,  washed  by  the  Pacific,  forms  the 
western  boundary  of  the  ancient  empire.  On  this  district 
rain  never  fails;  at  least,  the  few  drops  which  at  certain 


^ 


SOUTH  AMKHICAX  INDIANS. 


523 


soiisona  sprinkle  the  siiiTafo,  arc  insunu'icMit  to  avail  in  tlio 
«lij^lit('st  dv'gree  for  tlui  promotion  of  fertility.  From  the 
stiipiMiilons  mountain  rangcH  wliieh  oxtend  in  an  nnbrolcon 
eourse  throughout  the  wi.'Storn  S(>a-l)oarcl  of  South  Ameri- 
ca, imjictuou3  torrent!?  pour  dowii^tlirough  the  plains 
toward  the  sea,  and,  by  a  laborious ^iid  ingolliou^>  diver- 
sion, ihcsG  streams  were  led  by  the  aiieiont  Peruvians  in 
long  and  massive  aqueduets  to  irrigate  the  phiin  or  the 
tri'i'aees  wrought  upon  the  steep  sides  of  the  mountains. 
Some  mention  lias  been  made,  in  a  former  chapter,  of  the 
ruin.iwhieh  still  remain  to  attest  the  advancement  and  en- 
ter}iriso  of  the  ancient  Peruvians,  particularly  of  the  great 
roads  by  which  ready  communication  was  o[>ened  ovei*  the 
most  rugged  and  naturally  impnssable  country  in  the  world. 
A  further  description  of  some  of  these  relics  will  be  given 
hereafter,  as  connected  with  their  wonderful  system  of 
government,  and  its  effects  in  the  accomplishment  of 
public  works. 


il 


!i 


i ' 


Arexico  had  already  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Span 
iards,  and  their  settlements  had  long  been  established  upon 
the  Isthmus,  before  the  world  obtained  any  knowledge 
of  the  western  coast  of  South  Anierica.  The  national 
thirst  for  gold,  oidy  the  more  excited  by  the  successes  in 
contest  with  the  Aztecs,  was  roused  anew  by  reports  gath- 
ered from  the  natives  of  the  Isthmus,  of  a  far  richer  and 
more  magnificent  empire  at  the  South. 

'^riic  first  attempt  to  explore  the  coast  to  the  southward 
had  been  made  in  1522,  by  Pascual  de  Andagoj-a,  but 
he  proceeded  no  further  than  the  Puerto  de  Pinas,  near 
the  mouth  of  the  small  river  Biru.  Two  years  passed 
away  without  any  flirther  discoveries,  at  the  end  of  MMiich 
time,  the  matter  was  taken  in  hand  by  a  man  whoso  char- 
acter leaves  us  at  a  loss  whether  we  should  the  inoi'e  ad- 


r- 


O'Jt 


1M>1AN    liAt'KS  OF  AMKUICA. 


niiro  liis  counigo,  nMlilnflc,  and  iiHlomitabli'  (  iicrj^'y,  or 
execrate  liis  cnicllv  and  uiiscruiiiiloiis  rapacity.  TIuh  iiuui 
WMH  Kraiieisco  Pi/.arro.  ITe  wa^,  lit  tins  time,  almnt  i\(\y 
years  of  iv^{\  tlic  last  ten  «>('  which,  at  least,  hi'  had  passed 
amid  the  stirrinijf  se(>m's  oC  (hscoxery  and  eoiKincst  in  the 
Ni'W  Worlih  lie  1™,  anion^^  othi'i"  ad\ cntin'cs,  shan^l 
tlie  (hin,L;vrs  and  tlio  cxuhalion  oC  N'asco  Nii,^nc/,  (U;  I>al- 
lioii,  in  his  first  ]iassage  ol'  iIk'  Isthmus,  and  his  discovery 
of  lh(!  Weslcrn  Oi'eaii.  lie  was  now  residinjj^  ii(>jir 
I'anani;i,  and  is  said  lo  have  acenmidated  hut  a  small 
landi'd  pi'operty  as  the  reward  ai'  his  long  laboi's  and 
])riva  lions. 

rizaiTo  was  the  iilegitimtito  son  of  a  colonel  oC  inlantry, 
7iani(>d  (lon/ido  I'i/arro,  and  a  woman  of  low  VAwk,  resid- 
ing at  Truxilio,  in  Spniii,  in  which  city  the  future  con- 
queror was  born.  In  the  great  (Miterpriso  of  the  conquest 
of  Peru,  he  was  associated  with  one;  Diego  de  Almagro,  a 
man  of  more  uncertain  origin,  and  l(>ss  favored  hy  worldly 
])rospei'ity,  even  than  himself.  This  companion  in  ai'ms 
WMS,  at  all  events,  a  brave  and  gallant  soldiei".  l-'oi'lnnaleiy 
for  the  two  adventurers,  they  succeeded  in  securing  the 
assistance  of  Hernando  de  Luqiie,  an  ecclesiastic  oc(;upi(>d 
in  IhiMluticsof  his  })rofession  at  Panama.  A\'ilhsni-h  funds 
as  could  be  raised  by  these  three,  a  vessel  was  ])roenred, 
and  about  one  liundi'cd  men  were  enlisted  to  share  the 
danger  and  profits  of  the  expedition.  Pe  ^'''vias,  the  .Sj)an- 
ish  governor,  sanctioned  the  proceeding,  stijudating,  at  the 
same  time,  for  a  proportion  of  the  gold  that  should  be 
brought  home. 

In  November,  152-1:,  Pizarro  set  sail,  leaving  Almagro 
to  }n'(^parc  another  vessel  which  they  had  purchased,  and 
to  follow  as  soon  as  possible.  Nothing  but  disaster  marked 
this  ^►'st  voyage.  Storms  at  sea;  conflicts  with  natives  on 
shore;  sickness,  exposure,  and  starvation,  thinned  the  num- 
bers and  broke  down  the  spirit  of  the  party.      ]''izarro 


.'■■* 


^, 


SOUTH  AMKIUCAN  INDIANS. 


525 


aloiio  a[i[)(':)  "H  to  liuvo  luuiiitiiincil  uii  iiiisliuUou  forlitiulo 
aiitl  (Ictcnniiiatioii. 

No  piovi.siotis  could  bo  procured  at  the  spols  ulicrc  llio 
voy!i<^('rs  land(>(l,  and  it  bccaiix^  necessary  to  send  the  vcs- 
si'l  liack  (i)i'  sii|i|ili(\s.  .Al)oiil  lialC  llir,  coiniiaiiy,  uinlcr 
one  ^^olltelu>;:^o,  was  disj)atrli"d  li>r  lliis  |)ur|)(J!Si',  leaving 
the  rest  of  tlie  adventurers  npon  the  swampy,  huwIidIc- 
Hoiue  ecxist,  not  Jar  fVoni  llic  uioulli  of  tla;  Uiru,  1o  support 
tluMiiHclves  as  bi-st  tliey  could  amid  an  almost  imp(nuli'abl(! 
wilderness  of  I'ank  tropical  vegetation.  iS'early  half  their 
number  perished  before  any  relief  was  (jbtained.  Win  n 
at  tli(!  e\<i'eniity  of  distress,  the  si.^ht  of  a  dislmt  li;.^ht 
amid  lln"  forest  awakened  their  hopes,  and  !N//.iriv),  with 
a  small  scoutin.ij^  P'i''',V,  led  by  this  tok(Mi  of  iiimiini  liabit- 
alion,  priiclialcd  tla^  thicket  to  an  Indian  \illa;.iv.  liis 
hungry  followers  seized  (Hi  whatever  oll'crcd.  As  the  na- 
tives, who  had  at  first  Ih  d  in  leri-oi',  gracbially  ajiproachcd 
and  held  communication  with  them,  their  hopes  wci'e  again 
revived  by  the  sight  of  rudo  ornaments  in  gold,  Jind  by 
the  conPirmation  of  the  reports  concerning  a  rich  empire 
at  the  South. 

It  was  six  weeks  from  the  time  of  his  departure  before 
Alontcnegro  returned  to  rescue  his  remaining  companio"S. 
AVith  renewed  hope  and  zeal,  the  party  reernbarked,  and 
continued  to  coast  along  the  shore.  After  lauding  at  other 
places,  and  experiencing  severe  encounters  with  the  war- 
liice  natives,  it  was  found  necessary  to  return  to  Panama 
to  refit. 

Almagro,  in  the  mean  time,  had  followed  in  the  ?nmc 
course,  with  the  second  vessel,  and  landed  at  most  of  the 
])laccs  visited  by  Pizarro.  lie  was  more  successful  in  his 
engagements  with  the  natives  than  the  first  party  had 
proved;  and  succeeded  in  extending  his  voyage  as  flir 
south  as  the  river  of  San  Juan.  At  this  place  unmistakr- 
ablo  tokens  of  approach  to  a  well-cultivated  and  inhab- 


M 


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■ 

■ 

I 

(' 

i, 


526 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMEKICA. 


itcd  country  presented  tlicmsclvcs.  Finding'  no  further 
tj'ucc-i  of  Pizarro  and  liis  companions,  and  suj^posing  that 
they  nust  have  perished  or  have  been  compelled  to  return, 
Alnuigro  now  turned  his  course  towards  Panama,  lie 
brought  home  more  gold  and  more  favorable  reports  than 
his  [)artner;  but  the  disasters,  losses,  and  miserable  con- 
dition of  tlie  iirst  voyagers  tended  to  throw  almost  insur- 
mountable obstacles  in  the  way  of  a  second  attempt. 

The  three  confederates — Pizarro,  Almagro,  and  Father 
Lu(pic — continued  as  sanguine  as  ever.  The  necessary 
funds  were  obtained  b}  the  latter,  as  is  said,  of  one  Gas- 
par  do  Espinosa,  in  whose  name  he  acted,  and  in  whoso 
behalf  he  stipulated  for  one-third  of  all  returns  which 
shoidd  result  from  a  successful  completion  of  the  immense 
undertaking.  A  solemn  contract  was  entered  into  between 
the  parties,  strengthened  by  all  tlie  ceremonials  of  oaths 
and  religious  services.  Xeithcr  of  the  tw^o  soldiers  could 
write,  and  their  signatures  were  executed  in  their  presence, 
by  the  witnesses  to  the  instrument  of  contract. 

Pcdrarias  had  been  succeeded  by  Don  Pedro  de  los  Eios, 
and  the  new  governor  assented  to  the  second  expedition. 
This  was  undertaken  with  two  vessels,  carrying  about  one 
hundred  and  sixty  men  and  a  few  horses.  The  services 
of  Bartholomew  Kuiz,  a  skilful  pilot,  were  secured.  The 
adventurers  steered  direct  for  the  mouth  of  the  San  Juan, 
and,  landing  at  an  Indian  village  on  the  river,  obtained 
some  plunder  in  gold,  and  seized  upon  the  persons  of  a 
few  of  the  natives.  The  country  appeared  too  populous 
to  olTer  much  chance  of  success  to  such  a  small  band  of 
invaders.  Almagro  was  therefore  sent  back  to  enlist  more 
men  at  home,  while  Ruiz,  with  the  other  vessel,  explored 
the  coast  further  to  the  south,  and  Pizarro  remained  near 
the  river,  with  a  portion  of  the  crew.  The  latter  endured 
much  from  famine,  exposure,  and  fatigue,  during  the  ab- 
sence of  Kuiz.    Attempting  to  penetrate  into  the  interiori 


o  further 
)siiig  that 
to  return, 
una.  lie 
)orts  than 
able  con- 
ost  iusur- 
ii])t. 

id  Father 
neecssaiy 
one  Gas- 
in  whoso 
ns  which 
immense 
)  between 
;  of  oaths 
ers  couhl 
presence, 

los  Eios, 

Dedition. 

bout  one 

services 

;d.     The 

•an  Juan, 

obtained 

;ons  of  a 

opulous 

band  of 

ist  more 

:'xpk)red 

led  near 

endured 

die  ab- 

interior,     I 


il 


SOUTH  AMERICAN   INDI.i2s'S. 


527 


in  hopes  of  finding  a  more  open  country,  they  were  com- 
pletely worn  down  and  dispirited. 

The  pilot,  in  the  mean  time,  had  made  his  way  flir  south- 
ward, lie  had  crossed  the  equator,  and  touched  at  several 
places,  where  the  dense  population  and  well-built  dwell- 
ings gave  proofs  of  no  little  advancement  in  civilization. 
lie  brought  with  him  several  Indian  prisonei's,  taken  at 
sea,  upon  one  of  the  rude  boats,  or  rather  rafts,  called 
"balsas,"  in  which  they  were  voj'aging.  Some  of  these 
were  from  the  port  of  I'umbez,  and  their  marvellous  ac- 
counts of  the  quantities  of  gold  and  silver  used  by  their 
monarch,  roused  anew  the  cu[)idity  of  the  Spaniards. 

Almagro  soon  after  arrived  with  numerous  fresh  re- 
cruits,  and,  what  with  the  glowing  reports  of  liuiz,  and 
this  addition  to  their  force,  the  weakened  and  despairing 
followers  of  Pizarro  regained  their  former  hopes  and  cour- 
age. The  whole  company  again  set  sail  for  the  land  of 
pronnse.  At  Tacames,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Santiago, 
where  the  present  town  of  Esmeraldas  is  situated,  the 
flourishing  appearance  of  the  country  invited  the  voyagers 
to  land ;  but  they  were  o})posed  b}'  thousands  of  armed 
natives,  who  attacked  them  with  great  fury.  It  was  sup- 
posed that  all  the  Christians  must  liave  perished  in  this 
onslaught,  but  for  a  strange  mistake  on  the  part  of  the 
Indians.  A  few  of  the  Spaniards  were  mounted  upon 
horses — a  sight  never  before  witnessed  in  Peru — and  one 
of  the  cavaliers  happening  to  fall  from  his  horse,  the  In- 
dians supposed  that  a  single  enemy  had  become  two.  The 
horse  and  his  rider  were  taken  for  but  one  animal,  and  the 
confusion  and  amazement  caused  by  the  sight  of  such  a 
prodigious  sejoaration,  gave  the  Spaniards  an  opportunity 
to  retreat. 

It  Avas  plain  that  a  greater  force  was  necessary  to  make 
any  advantageous  progress  in  the  new  empire,  and  again 
was  one  of  the  little  vessels  sent  back  to  Panam^a  for  rein- 


--M 


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ir'-' 


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i! 
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1 1 


II 


1 1 


523 


INDIAN  KACES  OF  AlIERTCA. 


forceineiitp,  wliilc  Pizurro  ami  a  portion  of  his  forces  took 
lip  tlicir  f|iiartcrs  upon  llio  little  island  of  Gallo.  '^I'liey 
sun'ered  every  extremity  before  supplies  reaelicd  tluia 
from  the  north,  and  Avheii  two  vessels  loaded  with  stores 
made  their  appearance,  thei-e  was  a  general  er}'  for  return. 

Pizarro,  fortiJled  in  his  determination  by  encouraging 
letters  from  his  allies,  harangued  his  followers,  and  gave 
them  their  free  choice  whether  to  go  forward  in  search  of 
fame  and  wealth,  or  to  return  in  poverty  and  disgrace  to 
Panama.  Thirteen  only  had  the  resolution  to  2>roller  their 
further  services.  The  commander  of  the  store-ships,  Avho 
was  instructed  by  the  governor  to  bring  back  the  party, 
refused  to  leave  cither  of  his  vessels  for  the  use  of  these 
few  valorous  spirits,  and,  grudgingly  bestowing  upon  them 
a  portion  of  his  provisions,  set  sail,  leaving  them,  as  was 
supposed,  to  certain  destruction. 

Upon  this  island,  and  upon  that  of  Gorgona,  twenty- five 
leagues  to  the  northward,  (whitlier  they  migrated  on  a  raft, 
for  better  quarters,)  the  little  party  spent  seven  miserable 
and  solitary  months.  P)y  great  exertions,  Almagro  and 
Luque  procured  another  vessel,  and  the  governor's  per- 
mission to  relievo  their  associates;  but  this  was  lu^t  ob- 
tained without  a  positive  injunction  to  Pizarro  to  return 
within  six  months.  No  recruits  were  taken  on  board, 
beyond  the  necessary  crew  of  the  vessel,  liniz  had  charge 
of  the  craft,  and  the  sight  of  its  a})proach  soon  gladdened 
the  desponding  hearts  of  the  destitute  and  half-famished 
expectants  at  Gorgona. 

AVithout  hesitation  the  little  band  stood  once  more  for 
the  south,  leaving  two  of  their  number  ill  on  the  island, 
in  charge  of  some  of  the  friendly  natives,  who  were  still 
detained  in  their  com})any.  After  twenty  days'  sail,  in 
which  they  passed,  without  landing,  the  spots  of  ioi'mer 
exploration,  the  vessel  entered  the  unknown  guh"  of 
Guayaquil. 


1 1 


1 1 


-^  K 


I 


r-" 


SOUTH  AMERICAX  INDIANS. 


529 


!i 


1 1 

M 


I  ; 


I! 


A'A  llic  Fpaniarcls  (.rirccicd  tlicir  conr.^p  towui'ils  llio  city 
of  TuniLcz,  tlic  residence  (jf  the  Iiuliaii  ciii-tivcs,  tli(\v  en- 
countered many  natives,  in  tlie  balsas  uhirh  served  tlnMii 
for  boa1s.  Tliesc  strange  erafl  wvvc  made  of  lnusoF  ]i;;lit 
"wcjod,  secured  togetlier,  ;iiid  litfi/d  \\illi  masts  and  sails. 
TliC  crews  (if  tliese  I'aCts,  in  tiie  mid-t  of  their  amazement 
at  the  prodigy  before  tlieir  eyes,  itc agnized  the  Indians  on 
boai'd,  and  learning  (Vmii  tl  cin  tli>it  llie  htrimgcrs  were 
bound  merely  npon  e.\[ilorati(.)n,  ixtvumed  to  satisfy  tlio 
curiosity  of  tlie  eager  erowds  gathered  npon  the  shore. 

A  peacefd  eommunication  was  soon  established,  and.  the 
sea-wearied  Spaniards  were  refreshed  by  bountiful  su})plies 
of  the  tropical  luxuries  furnished  by  the  kindly  nalivcs. 
Llamas,  or  Peruvian  camels,  as  they  were  called,  wore  now 
ihv  the  tlrst  time  exhibited  and  oHl'i'dl  to  the  visitors.  A 
great  noble,  of  the  royal  race  of  the  Tneas,  came  on  board, 
and  was  courteously  entertained  by  Pizarro,  who  pointed 
out  and  explained  the  mysteries  of  the  vessel  and  its 
accoutrements. 

The  oflieers  of  the  Sjianish  company  were,  in  turn, 
feasted  at  the  house  of  the  euraca,  or  governor  of  the 
province,  and  were  shov.'u  the  royal  tL'm[)l(!  and  fortresses. 
Some  of  the  apartments  were  adoi-ni>d  with  such  a  rich 
profusitMi  of  massive  golden  ornaments  and  })lating,  that 
the  dazzled  S|)aiiiards  now  trusted  in  the  speedy  realiza- 
tion of  their  long-deferred  hopes. 

Prom  Tund)ez,  Pizarro  coasted  southward  as  far  as  the 
island  and  port  of  Santa,  some,  distance  beyond  the  site  of 
the  ])resent  Truxillo,  stopping  at  vai'ious  towns  and  settle- 
ments (jn  his  route.  The  strangei's  were  eveiy  where  re- 
ceived with  hospitality,  kindness,  and  the  most  lively 
curiosity,  and  enough  was  seen  Inlly  to  convince  tiiem  of 
the  richness,  civilization,  and  prosperity  of  the  thickly 
popidated  enipii'c. 

lieturning  to  Panama,  they  again  stopp.ed  at  Tenibiz  and 
34 


1 1 


'-'p 

':-:i 

"'i' 

4' 

i.J.  % 


titil!:  'V" 


I 


580 


I^sUIAX   KACES  OF  AMP:i{ICA. 


otlier  important  p  jrts,  and  tliencc  brouglit  away  specimens 
of  the  productions  of  the  country;  among  other  things,  a 
number  of  llamas.  At  tlieir  own  request,  several  of  the 
Spaniards  were  left  at  Tumbo^,  to  enjoy  tlie  luxury  and 
case  which  seemed  to  be  oilered  by  a  life  among  the  kindly 
natives.  A  young  Peruvian,  named  Felipillo,  with  one  or 
two  eomj)anions,  was  taken  oii  board  the  vessel,  that  lie 
might  be  instructed  in  the  Spanish  language,  and  that  liis 
appearance  might  satisfy  the  incredulous,  at  home,  as  to 
tlie  cliaracter  of  the  iiil,il)itaiits  of  Peru. 

Tlic  tnmbles  of  the  enter[)i'ising  trio  to  whom  these  dis- 
coveries were  owing  wei'e  not  yet  at  an  end.  The  derision 
and  eonluniely  which  had  tended  so  long  to  damp  tlieir 
spii'its,  was,  i]idced,  changed  to  congratulations  and  eager 
astonishment  at  the  return  and  reports  of  Pi/arro;  but  the 
governor  frowned  upon  the  prosecution  of  the  enterprise. 
"ILe  did  not  wish,"  says  Ilerrcra,  "to  depopulate  his  o^\'n 
district  in  order  to  people  new  countries" — the  gold,  silver, 
and  sheep  which  had  been  exhibited,  seemed  to  him  but 
a  paltry  return  for  the  expenditure  of  such  an  amount  of 
lives  and  money,  and  the  endurance  of  such  hardships  and 
Fullering  as  were  the  fruits  of  the  first  exjjcditions. 

Before  continuing  the  account  of  the  steps  by  Avhieh  the 
great  work  of  conquest  was  fmally  achieved,  it  will  be  well 
to  take  a  brief  view  of  the  condition  of  the  devoted  country 
at  the  period  of  its  discovery. 

The  two  great  monarchies  of  Mexico  and  Peru,  both  of 
them  in  a  state  of  semi-civilization  at  the  period  of  Span- 
ish discoveries  and  conquests,  are  closely  associated  in  our 
minds.  The  thoughts  of  one  naturally  suggests  tlnit  of  the 
other.  'We  shall,  however,  Jind,  iq)ou  an  examination  of 
history,  that  these  nations  wei'c  widely  dissimihu':  iK'itlioi', 
in  all  human  probability,  had  any  knowledge  of  the  other's 
cxi.^tence,  and  no  intercourse  could  have  been  maintained 
b^'tweeii  them  from  a  period  of  the  most  remote  antiquity. 


I 

;     I 
I 

I     I 
i     i 


I' 


SOUTH  AMEKICAN  INDIANS. 


531 


"Witliout  going  into  a  direct  comparison  between  tliese 
countries,  tlieir  respective  governments,  religi(jn,  and  na- 
tional customs,  we  sliall  enter  sufficiently  into  particulars 
in  treating  the  present  subject,  to  give  the  reader  such  a 
general  idea  of  its  details  that  he  can  himself  perceive  the 
contrasts  and  dissimilarities  above  mentioned. 


CHAPTER  II. 

MYTHOLOGICAr.    TIM'  ttIOXS TOl'A    I.NCA    YUPANQUl,  AND    HIS    SON 

IIUAYNA  CAPAC THR  I'KI-lUVIAN  CAPITA T, HKI.IGIOUS  SYSTEM 

GOVERNMENT AGKAUIAN    LAW LI-AMAS PUBLIC  RECORDS  : 

THE  "QUIPU" AGRICULTURE MARRIAGES — WARLIKE  POL- 
ICY  OF    THE    INCAS — THE    GREAT    ROADS — CONTENTMENT 

OF  THE  NATIVES DIVISION  OF  THE  EMPHIE  :    IIUASCAR 

AND  ATAHUALLPA CONTEST  FOR    SUPREMACY. 

According  to  Peruvian  mythology,  the  wliole  country 
was,  in  early  times,  as  savage  and  barbarous  as  the  neigh- 
boring nations  of  the  East.  Manco  Cai)ac,  and  his  sister 
and  wife,  jSfama  Oello  Iluaco,  two  children  of  the  Sun, 
settling  in  the  vallcv  of  Cuzco,  beijan  the  work  of  regen- 
cration.  They  taught  the  arts  of  civilized  life,  and  from 
them  sprang  the  long  line  of  the  Incas  whoso  glorious 
kingdom  vv'as  at  the  height  of  its  prosperity  when  discov- 
ered by  the  Spaniards.  Other  traditions,  more  worthy  of 
study  and  reflection,  speak  of  ^''bearded  white  7nen,^^  to  whose 
immigration  the  commencement  of  improvement  was  due. 

AVe  gather  little  of  connected  or  reliable  tradition  earlier 
than  the  reign  of  Topa  Tnca  Ynpanqni.  This  monarch's 
victories  widely  extended  the  domains  bequeathed  him  by 
his  ancestors.  By  his  warlike  achievements,  and  those  of 
liis  son,  Iluayna  Capac,  the  Peruvian  empire  was  extended 
from  the  southern  })ortion  of  Chili  to  the  boundaries  of  the 


'.1 

M 


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INDIAN  ];A('I':S  of  AMEllICA. 


present  repuVOie  of  Now  Grentul:).  Tlio  centre  of  govern- 
ment, ami  site  of  tli(^  royal  palacf^,  the  greot  temple  of  the 
sun,  find  the  most  celebrated  forlification,  were  at  Cnzeo,  in 
the  ir.terior.  Tlu;  town  Wiis  situated  in  a  Nallcy  of  the 
table-land,  at  an  immense  lieight  above  the  level  of  the 
sea,  an  altitude  which  securc^d  to  it  a  delightful  cliniaie  in 
those  tro])ical  regions. 

The  pi'iiieipal  buildings  of  the  eap'^'d  were  of  hewn 
stone,  Avrcvight  entirely  by  instruments  of  C()})})er,  hard- 
encMl  by  nu  alloy  of  tin;  for,  like  the  ^fexicans,  tlu^  peo]>lc 
of  Pern  were  entirely  ignoi'ant  of  the  use  of  ii'oii.  A  cer- 
tain perfection  of  worlvmaiish!]i,  s<>ldom  atti'iuptcd  in  more 
advanced  natii.ms,  and  (nily  elsewhere  observal)le  in  tlio 
casings  of  the  great  E<2:vi'*ian  i)vramids,  is  dcscriln'd  as 
peculiar  to  the  laying  of  the  cours-s  of  stone  in  these  an- 
cient buildings.  For  the  most  ])art  no  cmnent  Ava.>-:  used, 
but  the  blocks  were  so  accui-atrly  fitted  that  "it  Avas  im- 
possible to  introduce  even  the  l)l;idc  of  a  l-cni fc  bctweiMi 
them."  'Mr.  Preseott,  ii'ivinii',  as  his  authoi'it\-,  the  meas- 
uremcnts  and  descriptions  of  Aeosta  and  Garcilasso,  says: 
"Many  of  rhese  stones  were  of  vast  size;  some  of  them 
being  full  thirty-eight  feet  long,  by  eighteen  broad,  and 
six  feet  thick.  *  *  'J'hcse  enoi'mous  masses  were  hewn 
from  their  native  bed,  and  fashioncMl  into  shape  by  a  peo- 
ple ignorant  of  the  use  of  iron;  they  were  bronght  from 
quarries,  from  four  to  fifteen  leagues  distant,  without  the 
aid  of  beasts  of  burden;  Avere  transported  aci'oss  rivers 
and  ravines,  raised  to  their  elevat(;d  pcxsition  on  the  sic'rra, 
and  finally  adjusted  there  Avith  the  nicest  accuracy,  Avith- 
out  the  IsUOAvledgo  of  tools  and  machinery  familiar  to  the 
European." 

At  Cuzeo  stood  the  great  temple  of  the  sun,  by  far  the 
most  resplendent  Avith  gold  and  ornament  of  all  the  pub- 
lic edifices  of  Peru.  The  description  of  this  centTal  ])oint 
of  the  religions  sj'stem  of  the  country  vies  with  those  of 


il 


! 


i 


I 


1 1 


!l 


i ! 


"1 


SOUTH  AMERICAN    INDlAXS. 


Aral.) 


Tt 


l)iiilt  of 


5  oil 


I 


lacps  in  Arabum  ttUe.s.  It  was  biiilt  ol  stone, 
bv  a  t-tran'j;o  contrast  of  mut^nilicciico  with  rudeness,  was 
tliatclied  witli  sti'aw.  'J'lie  most  striking  object  in  the  in- 
terior wavS  a  huge  golden  sun,  r('[)rescnted  by  the  figure  of 
a  Luniaii  face,  surrounded  with  rays.  This  was  so  jilaec-d 
as  to  receive  the  lii'st  beams  of  the  rising  sun.  Tin:  wliole 
buikling  s}iarkK:d  with  gi)lden  oniann'iit;  evt'ii  ujiuu  the 
outside  a  heavy  belt  of  gohl  is  said  to  ]ia\e  been  let  into 
the  stone  wall  around  the  whole  extent  of  the  edifice. 
Great  vases  of  the  precious  metals  stood  in  the  open  space 
of  the  interior,  filled  with  olTerings  of  maize,  and  no  less 
valuable  material  was  used  for  the  various  tools  and  im- 
plements connected  Avith  the  estid^lishment. 

This  profusion  of  gold  iind  silver,  which,  although  in 
inferior  degree,  was  noticeable  in  the  royal  palaces  and 
temples  thronghout  the  empire,  resulted  from  the  circum- 
stance that  the  mines  were  a  go\-.Tnmeiit  monojHily.  No 
money  was  used,  and  ('(tuMMpiriitly  tlic  wliolr  product  of 
the  country,  in  this  line,  was  collected  in  the  coffers  of  the 
Tnca,  or  displayed  in  the  gorgeous  oi'namei.ts  which 
adorned  the  teih\)les.  The  mines  were  woi-kcd  by  bodies 
of  laborers  systematically  drivfted  from  tlu.^  conunon  peo- 
ple, to  serve  for  specillcd  }>eri()ds. 

The  Peruvians  had  some  idea  of  an  invisible  deity, 
whose  supremacy  they  acknowledged,  and  to  whom  horn,- 
age  was  rendered,  but  the  sun  was  their  chief  object  of 
wor.shi}).  The  moon  and  stars  to(.)k  the  place  of  subordi- 
nate divinities.  Bv  virtue  of  his  office,  ihe  Tnca  was  the 
head  of  the  visible  church,  and  high-priest  of  the  sun; 
all  the  other  religious  functionaries  were  of  the  nobilit}', 
viz:  descendants  in  the  male  line  of  the  royal  funily. 
One  lawful  wife  g..vc  birth  to  the  successor  to  the  throne, 
'.)ut  from  the  innumerable  concubines  kept  by  the  empe- 
ror sprang  the  race  of  Inca  nol)ility,  distinguished  by  dress 
and  occupation  from  the  body  of  the  people. 


''1 


.^1 


.'  'm 


ii 


' ,'  *'  -1^ 


J  f. 


hv 


t.; 


r 


!■&,;?! 


'.^i 


r>34 


INDIAX    RACKS  OF  AMKIilCA. 


A  most  sintjiilar  rcsoniblaiico  to  tl 


i(>  aiK 


lent,  order  of  the 


vestal  viri/iiis  existed  in  lli:;l  of  tin-  I'ci'uv 


laii 


\ 


the  Sun.     Tl 


lese  were  set  a|Kii-t,  at  an  early 


yiiis  of 
for  llio 


services  of  tla;  tein])le,  tlic  |ii'c|iai'all<)iis  of  its  t;i]ics!ry  ami 
oniainents,  aiul  cspeeially  lor  llie  jjrcsei'vatimi  d'  llic  sa- 
cred Jlrc.  'rei'ril)le  jxaialtics  fcjllcved  the  AJolaiii'ii  of 
chastity  by  either  of  tlie.-e  devotees,  always  (^xt'eplliig  tlic 
]»i'ivi](\L;'es  of  the  Iiica,  1o  w  lioni  they  wei'e  sii!)sei'vient  as 
"l)rides,"  or  eoueubiiies.  Th.e  olhce  did  not  Jieeessarlly 
continue  during  life:  many  of  these  "Virgins''  wei'c  dis- 
missed to  th(ur  pat(,'rnal  lajmes  Ciom  time  to  time,  and 
were  ever  thereafter  held  in  great  honor  ami  veiieralion. 
"^I'he  religious  ceremonies  and  f 'stivals  I'amiliar  ti)  the  na- 
tion were  yiiigularly  numerous  and  C(^m|)lieated :  an  enu- 
meration of  tiK^m  would  be,  li)r  the  most  part,  wearisome 
and  devoid  of  interest. 

The  Peruvian  system  of  government  merits  a  more 
particular  attention.  ]Iere,  foi"  the  Ih'st  time  in  the  history 
of  the  world,  we  see  the  results  of  a  paternal  despotism 
carried  to  its  most  extravagant  extent,  yet  meeting  the 
aj>pai'ent  wants  of  the  people,  and  universally  acquiesced 
in  and  approved  by  them.  From  generation  to  genei'ation 
the  whole  mass  of  the  commonalty  was  shut  out  from 
any  jiossibilitv  of  change  or  improvement,  and  subjected  to 
immutable  rules  in  every  employment  or  privilege  of  lif(\ 

The  whole  empire  was  minutely  divided  and  subdivi- 
ded into  districts,  according  to  population,  and  ovei-  each 
of  these  departments  a  curaca  or  governor  was  set  to  main- 
tain law.  The  penal  code  was  sufllcicntly  severe,  and 
rigidly  enforced;  m  all  matters  of  private  right  there  was 
no  room  for  contention  among  the  citi/ens,  as  the  state 
prescribed  every  man's  place  of  residence,  the  amount  and 
nature  of  his  cmploj'ment,  and  the  provision  necessary  for 
his  support. 

The  government  assuniv^d  the  entire  ownership  of  the 


■-"n 


SOUTH  AMEniCAX   INDIAN'S. 


r.;;.- 


soil,  ^vlll(•ll  was  dividLMl  into  tlim'  jvifts  for  llw  rullowit:'; 
uses:  Tlie  first  was  srt  ;i]i;ii-t  Id  siippuri  tin-  ^vllM^'  rxtcn- 
sivo  system  of  i-cliL^iMn  ;  tli"  srconcl  sustniiinl  tin'  i'(i\;i1 
court,  aiitl  fn.ius1i(>(l  llic  '•civil  list "' foi-  t1io.  acfMiniilisli- 
ineut  of  all  ])iil>li('.  woi'lcs,  ;i!ii!  lo  ilcfray  tlio  cui'ivnt  rx- 
pcnsos  of  tlio  ciiipiiv;  jiinl  llic  lliinl  was  ycai'ly  dixi'Icil 
fimoiif^  the  })C<)pl(\  'V\n\  appoi'tioiiimMit  Avas  Uia'lc  to  <;icli 
family,  according  to  its  immlxM's,  and,  unless  some  u'ood 
cause  should  appear  to  the  contrary,  it  is  snpposcfl  that  llie 
same  spot  "was  continued  in  tln^  poss(\--sion  of  its  jM'ojiiic- 
tor  from  vear  to  year,  'JMic  imlilic.'  domains  were  eidti- 
vated  l)y  the  people  in  mass,  and,  in  tht^  manau'i'ment  of 
the  ])riyate  allotments,  vi'jilant  care  was  taken,  liy  the 
appropriate  officers,  that  no  on(>  sliould  be  idl(\  no  one 
ovcrd'jurdcned  with  lal'or,  an.d  no  on(;  in  a  state  of  sulfer- 
mg  froiri  Avant. 

The  oldy  beast  of  Imrdt'n  in  Pei'u  was  the  llama.  TIh! 
immense  herds  of  this  animal  were,  without  ex<'(>ption. 
the  properly  of  the  state,  ami  under  the  maua'ivment  of 
goyernment  ofllcials.  1'IhmvooI  and  hair  of  the  llann  fur- 
nished the  most  important  material  for  the  clothinij,-  of  tiu^ 
"wlicde  population,  but  before  it  reached  it?-  ultimate  d.'sti- 
nation  it  must  ]")ass  thro'^'di  th(>  liaiuls  ofapiiointi'd  aa'cnts, 
and,  after  the  separation  and  ]»ri'parat'on  of  the  portion 
deyoted  to  religions  and  royal  |)urj)oses,  be  erpiitably  par- 
celled out  and  distributc^l  amoiiL!'  the  priyate  families.  ^I'lie 
manril'actnre  of  cloth  was  more  especially  the  business  of 
women  and  children.  Xo  man  had  the  power  to  choose 
his  OAvn  employment.  A  select  nund)er  of  artisans  were 
set  apart  and  insti-ueted  in  such  mechanical  sciences  as 
Avere  known  to  the  age  and  country,  while  tlic  mass  of  the 
population  Avere  employed  in  agricultural  labors,  or,  l)y  a 
systematic  apportionment  among  the  different  districts,  Avere 
engaged  u})on  the  A^ast  Avorks  of  public  utility  or  magnilh 
cenccAvhieh  astonished  tlu^  eyes  of  the  Spanish  inyailei's. 


I 


■  i 


:.  1 


^  II 

.1  .  •;  . 


630 


JM»JAN    LACK.-'  VV  AMI'RICA. 


•  i 


li 


TIio  most  exact  a^'ouiits  were  Isi'pl,  l»_v  ccrtaiii  ai^oinlod 
ofTicors,  of  Ihc  I'Miiiv  pcjiiilaiioii  iiml  rrsoiircis  df  tlie  cm- 


I 


)iri> 


No! 


I        I'.K'lirotlR 


mill,  iiiarria;.:v.  c^r  dcatli,  was  suIII-itmI  to  pass 
'1,  aiiil 


;iii  im;n>Mi.-;i"  aiiioMiit  ofstatislii-al  matter. 


I'olativo  to  t 


IC   C'.JimIi: 


oil    of   llll 


the  soil,  ll:;'  (■.\li-iit  "i'liiainilartiii 


[H'OJ. 


tl 


lie,  till'  [irotlui'iioiis  o 


IS.  i\(' 


\va^ 


Mlailvaiid     1 1 


syst<Muatica!l_v   ivfunirl  to  tlic  projuT  (.Icpai'tm.iil.     Tl 


in 


■■iuoslitiilf  (or  \v 


•111!' 


l»y  wliirli  tJKso  results,  aial 


i'\'en 


liciilai 


as  (I 


iiuk'Ii  more  al'siiact  jai 

events),  weiv  prMpeliiafe'l,  Avas  oxeec( 


r  (lat 
liimi 


OS  niid 


hist 


one; 


y  in'.viiiDiis  ;i 


u.I 


uiii((',!e.     [teoiisi.-|(Nl  ol'thc  "(iii'im/' vi/,:  a  coi'.l  (.fstiMiul.- 


varviiiii'  111  eo 


tl 


ive:tcls  at  roii'u 


lor,  fri.M    wl 
liar  (li 


licli  ( 


lepoiuled 


ininieriu; 


■laiici's. 


A 


series  ol 


:iiol 


111 


ll 


appenda-vs  (which  wwc,  like  the  strands  ofll 


le  mail)  con 


liort; 
-1. 


)f 


ot   N'ai'ioiis  eo 


lors) 


■ei'veil  to  ex  01 


press  any  nmouiil  in  num- 


bers, a.nd  the  did'civnce  in  hue  designated  the  suljeet  to  '! 
whieh  they  were  a[>plied.  'j'lie  endless  eomliinations  whleh  ■  i 
could  1k!  ed'eeted  in  this  system  of  kuots  mi-ht,  as  v/e  can    ij 


[)ereeive,  be  extended  to  the  expression  of  a  very 


readily 

Avidc  range  of  ideas.     In  i 

peculiar  knot,  or 


lie  Vi'ori 
h 


1: 


Mr 


reseott; 


un 


color,  111  tins   \\a\ 


gestcd  what  it  could  not  venture  t 


Co 


V   ass(.)^ 


■ialicii') 


i  no 

SU'--- 


inanner — to  borrow  the    1 
the 


o  represent ;  in  ihe  same 


lomelv    illustration    of  am    old 


writer— as  the  numbi'r  of  the  Commaudment  ealL- 


to 


the  Commandment  itself. 

concoete( 

but  the 

dents  with  metkod,  and  to  refresh  1 


miiR 


I 


M 


Tl 


le  narrative  thus 


I  could  be  communicated  only  by  oi'al  tiadllion 
qnipus  served  the  chronicler  to  arraiiL;-(>  tl 


le  inei- 


iis  memor\ 


.  11 


Jn  some  of  the  sciences,  particularly  in  a.stronomv,  tl 
Peruvians  were  far  behind  the  A/tecs.     A  few  si 


le 


ni^le  ob- 


!i 


scrvations  of  th 


e  liKnomentsof  the  planets;  and  the  ineas- 
uremeiU  of  shadows  to  mark  the  solstices,  ctpiinoxes,  &c., 
formed  the  limit  of  tlanr  speculations  or  experiments.-  Iii 
the  more  practical  and  neeessarv  ans  of  husband 


igrieiilture,  not  even  the  laborious  and 


■y  aiK 


I 


putieni  po])ulaLioii 


i1 


1 

f  ciiv     1 

]i;iSH     1 

lallor, 

1 
1 

»iis  of 

vnn.l    1| 

1       1 

I'vou      1 

torlcal      1 

IS  aiul     1 

tr.uuls      ' 

1   1 

short 

] 

!  those 

i 

1  cord, 

1 

1 

1  11  mil-    1  j 

JL't't  to    1 

,  whldi    j  j 

wc  can    1 1 

1 , 

a  very    | 

"The    il 

\  1 

0  «"-^-  il 

e  same 

111    old      ; 

)  mind    ■ . 

e  thus      ' 

11  lion;      : 

,c  inci-    ;  i 

1 
■ 

lilc  ol>    1  i 

1  mcas-    j  1 

Bs,  *kc., 

^M^  * 

■ 

il 

HOUTir  AMKIUCAN   INPlANri. 


ho  I 


J!     of  China  coiild  excel  the  subjects  of  llii'   Iiicas.     The  ox- 
tiMit  of  till'  a(''[Uc<liiets,  to  ('i)ii(hict  the  iiieiinlaiii-sti'Ciiiiis 


t]iroUL;li  llic  arid  lieMs  wlieri 


III  lic\c 


t  lie  1 11  unci  I. -e 


cxcax'ations  inailc  to   rcacli  a  inoi>l  soil,  tit'lccii  or  twenty 


feet  holow  I  lie  snil! 


lee 


ami   otlnr  iiii;.dity   uiidci'takiiiLfS 
h^ 


wliicli  iiHliVKlnal  cntci'pri.-e  could  never  lia\e  ad'oiupiisli 


Vi],   e\'iiice   llie 


■11 


eiiec 


that  a  < 


Mill     I 


lete    eciill'ali/.alioii    of 


power  can   produce.     A\'cre  it  ii<it  for  the  ruins,  of  wliich 


jiiodcin  1ra\  I'lleis  uiNc  lis  nieasnrciiieiit  am 


1  de. 


cniilioii,  we 


I     shonM  he  teini'ted  to  throw  aside  tlie  early   hisloritsof 


I  ■ 


V 


■rn\ian  aclnevcinent.s  as  irross  cxasj'/cration.- 


'!' 


I"  use 


ol  '.'naiio   lor  inaniirc   wms  coinnion,   and   th(>.    <i"atiicriiit' 


d  and 


and  application  ot  it  were  in  accordance  with  riL;i( 
careful  regulations.  'IMio  di\struction,  or  even  tln^  distiirh- 
ancc  of  tli'^  birds  to  Avhom  the  Ibrniation  is  owinp",  was 
|mnished  liy  death.  A  jtloiiuh  was  uscmI  in  the  enllivaliou 
of  the  laiul,  but  it  was  riidi'ly  and  simply  constructed  of 
wood,  and  was  forced  thronuh  tli(>  earth  by  hninaii  thews 
and  sinews.  ^I'lie  unecpialh^d  di\'ersity  in  soil  and  chniato 
provided  suitable  localities  for  a  variety  in  ve;..%'table  })ro- 
ductions  seldom  seen  within  the  same  limits.     ]3ai 


lanas 


Ind 


ian  corn,  potatoes,  a  grain  c 


|!    other  wclhknown  croiis 


ailed 
fi 


1 


were  succcsstnllv  cii 
<1 


rpuiioa,  aiul  many 
iltivated.    The 


desire  for  stimulants  and  narcotics,  so  universal  to  man- 
hind,  was  satisfied  by  a  liquor  lu'cwcd  from  mai/e,  by  to- 
bacco, and  bv  the  coca  or  ciicn.  A\ho.--e  leaves  ,  osscss  some- 


thing of  the  sedative  ([iial 


l1l(\S    Ol 


the,  latter  [ilant. 


Wc  have  numtioncd  tla^  control  exercised  bv  tl 


le  i;-ov. 


ernment  ovov  the   pri\ate   all'airs  of  every  citizen:    ihis 
extended  e\-en  to  llie  ties  of  alhnity.     Every  })erson  was 


required  to  marry  at  an  ajipomti  •  I  age 


tol 


(cighte 


en  111 


feinal 


es, 


and  twenty-four  in  males,)  and,  although  a  certain  degree 
of'elioice  was  \o\'t  to  the  individual  in  the  seh'Ction  of  a 
partner,  it  must  be  confined  within  a  specified  district  or 
communit}-.     '^I'hc  Tiica  alwaj.'s  married  his  sister,  that  the 


!  I 


,._J 


K.'ill 


f 


I 


5yy 


IXJ'IAN   l.'ACKS  OF  AMKllU'A. 


1 


purity  of  tin;  n-val  MimhI  mijlit,  n,,!  he  coiitiiinliiutol,  Ijia 
SlU'li  uroiiiicctinii  was  ll.rlM.ld.'ii  lifiwccii  ;iii\(iri(i\\iTraiik, 
AltliMii^li  III,,  iiijiss  u\'  thr  |M'.,|,|,.  vvciv  coiislaiitlv  ('III- 
ployed  ill  til.' .)|M.rati(p|is  (.Ci.ra. villi  liii.vl.aii(|i'v,  I  lie  pwllcy 
ol"  llio  liica  (lyiiaslj-  towards  iiri-lilH.iin--  luilions  w.i.s 
etisciilially  warliki'.  Tlu'  yoiitli  of  ih,.  ii,,|,iliiv,  and  r,<[i(«- 
ciully  IIk'  ])i-f'smii|.tivc  licir  to  llic  tlnciic,  wciv  iii>tiiuMtM.l 
111  tlio  arts  ui'  war,  ami  suhjcci.d  to  a  I'oiilinc  of  l.,,dily 
exercise  and  li'ialsol'  rortitudr  not  iinliku  that  jiiMcii.-rd  hy 
the  riid.r  nations  of  Aoitli  Amnica,  in  lliu  iiiilialiun  uV 
tlicii'  I'll! lire  warriors. 

All  extensive  militia  svslem  was  enforeed,  and,  in  time 
of  war,  Iroojis  weiv  dralled  IVom  ihc  diircivnl:  dislrici.s  in 
some  j)ro|)orlion  to  tlie  population ;  re-ard  bein-'  liad  to 
the  hardiliood  ami  en.T-y  ol'iho  various  races,  in  iiiakin,^ 
the  levy.  Axes,  lances,  darts,  hows  and  arrows,  and  slings, 
fonned  the  i.rincij.al  weapons  of  olli'iici".  'I'lie  soldiers 
were  also  sujiplird  with  the  (piillt>d  coats  of  such  com, nun 
use  iu  past  a-vs,  to  ward  olTaiTowsaiid  sword-thrusts,  and 
with  helmets  of  skins  or  wood. 

The  great  I'oads,  led  along  the  niounl<iiii  jidgcs,  or  b^^ 
the  level  ])laiii  ol'  the  sea-coast,  rnrnished  ivady  means  of 
transit  to  the  ro3-al  armies  ihroiighoiil  the  ext.'iit  of  the 
cnipire.  Enough  of  these  yet  remains  to  excite  tlu;  ad- 
miration of  every  traveller.  Of  the  ])rineipal  of  tli(>se 
roads,  ^Er.  I'rescott  speaks  as  h.llows:  "It  was  conclnctrd 
over  pathless  sierras  buried  in  snow;  galleries  were  cut 
for  leagues  througli  the  living  rock;  rivers  w(>re  crossed' 
by  means  of  bridges  that  hung  suspendeil  in  the  aii-;  inv- 
cipiccs  were  sealed  by  stairways  hewn  out  of  the  native 
bed;  ravines  of  hideous  depth  were  tilled  up  with  solid 
masonry;  in  short,  all  the  dilllculties  that  beset  a  wild  and 
mountainous  region,  and  which  might  appall  the  most 
courageous  engineer  of  modern  times,  wn-e  encountered 
and  successfully  overcome.     The  length  of  the  road,  of 


;  I 


1 


•'1,  biU 
1'  i';ilik. 
;lv  fiii- 
pollry 
lis  was 

il   (■S[H!- 

tnn'trd 

luMlily 

jsi'd  by 

iLiuii  of 

ill    111  1 10 

rids  ill 
li;i(l   U) 


making  |i 

I  slings,  1 1 

M)nilunU  jj 

sts,  ami  I 


or  by    ij 

a  I  IS  ot     ,  I 

!  \ 

ol'  llio  i '; 

Uu!  au-  ;  j 

tl.rso  I 

I'lliclrd  1 

Ti'    (-lit  j 

rl'i.)SSt.'il'  j 

11';   pro-  i 

I 

ua1i\o     I 
solid,     i 

ill!  and     I 

1 

.0     llKlSt       I 

uitorcil 


oae: 


.1,  of 


so  I  Til   AMKUICAN    INDIANS, 


039 


wlii.'li  si-attcrod  fraginonls  only  rmiain,  is  \arii-usly  esti* 
nialrd  I'loMi  lirU'i'ii  Inindird  In  two  lliniisand  hiilrs."  No 
ccli'braU'd  coMiiuoror  ol'  ilic  old  wmld  csi'r  |iiiisMr(l  sneU 
jtcrd'ot  system  and  nictlioil  in  tin'  <'oiidiic|  of  ;i  (Miuiiaigu 


as  ( 


lid  I 


K!  hicas. 


Slat 


ions  lor  {•oiiiici's  were  luiili  ni  r('<jii- 


lar  iiilurvals  tliroiii>boiii  tin-  niiiiu  I'oiiics,  bv  nivalis  oT  u  lii<'li 


iiu'ssau'cs    or    Injlit,   bin 


di'iis  ('0111(1    oc  CO 


IH'l' 


ii\-i'y('d    w  itli    111- 
( i  l';iiialirs  am 


I 


crt'dibK'  celerity  to  any  i'c(|iiii'e(l  disi 
stoi'edi(;uses  tilled  with  sniiplie,.  lor  llie  army  stoo<l,  imdir 
eare  of  aiijioiiilcil  ollieeis,  at  eonvenitiil  intiM'Sals,  and  all 
thcso  i)rovisioHs  luid  snjjplii.'S  being  Ciirnislied  Ihmh  the, 
slate  funds,  no  man  felt  them  as  uii  e.xtraordinai  \-  burden. 


A  strange  i)iit   sagacious  jiolicy  was  ol)SiM'\c(l  towanis  a 


IllO  ol    I  lie  Mill  was 


le  cmiijiT  Were 


t! 


coiKjnered  nation.     TIm'  Penu  i;iii  wor: 

immediately  inlroduced;  all  the  laws  ol   ll 

eidbri'cd,  and  its  customs  establislieil ;   but,  that   the   yoke 

might   not.  be;  too  galling,  the   pii\i 

d 


('K''c^  as  ^\(•ll   i\.' 


duties  ol  a 


subject  were  extended  to  the  coii(|Uei rd  pcoj 


!  I 


^J"he  foiiiier  nobles  and  govei'iiors  weie  not  imconiinoiily 
!  continue(l  in  oHiee,  and  a  ]>ati'riial  care  was  taken  of  the, 
j  necessities  and  interests  of  the  whole  ])o]iiilacc.  With  all 
this,  no  stejis  W(M'eomitti>d  v/liicli  would  tend  lO  completely 
denationalize  the  ncwdv-a(;(iuired  i:ouiilrv.  .Lai'Lic  colonies 
of  Peruvians  were  transplanted  from  their  own  country  to 
tlio  new,  and  their  places  supplied  l»_)' an  e([ual  number  of 
those  whose  habitations  they  occupied.  The  language  (jf 
the  conijuerors  was  every  where  introduci'd,  and  its  uso 
encouraged  until,  with  the  la})So  of  years^  a  c(jmplclc  as- 
similation was  brought  about. 

All  this  coiujilctc  course  of  dospollsm  was  said  by  the 
Spanish  historians,  wdio  wi'otc  fi'cMu  observation,  and  be- 
fore the  old  order  of  things  was  entirely  overtuiMied,  to  lie 
{i  precisely  that  Avhicli  was  b(>st  adiapte<l  to  the  I'eriiviau 
il  race,  and  to  the  country  and  climate  wdiich  tlie\-  iiiliabi|(>d. 
T)ie  }M>oplc  were  contented  with  their  lot,  aiui  looked  upon 


,^, 


n 


r,  ii.il 


"*' 


') 


4'm  ■•■ 


.J 


i.iif 


u'i. 


?^i, 


»-10 


INlJlAN   JiACKS  OK  A:MKU1CA. 


Ji' 


.1 


If  I 


I 


II 


I  i 


ilioir  priests  and  rult-rs  wiUi  tho  ulmost  rcvercnco.  "No- 
man  could  be  rieli,"  says  Prescott,  "no  man  could  be  pour, 
in  Peru;  but  all  mi'j;lit  enjoy,  and  did  enjoy,  a  competence. 
Aml)ition,  avarice,  the  love  of,  I'liangi:^,  the  morbid  spirit 
of  discontent,  those  passions  whicli  niost  agitato  the  minds 
of  men,  found  no  place  in  the  bcjsom  of  the  Peruvian.  ''•'  "" 
He  moved  on  i.  \]\o-  same  unbroken  circle  in  v,-hich  his 
fathers  had  mo\(-d  befoj'c  him,  and  in  which  his  children 
Avere  to  follow." 

AVo  cannot  hel[)  a  feeling  of  natural  regret  that  tln^ 
ruthless  invasion  of  the  Spaniards  should  liavo  uprooted 
all  these  ancient  and  venerated  customs.  There  was  not, 
as  wilh  the  Aztecs,  a  bloody  S3\stcm  of  religion,  whoso 
annihilation  coi  :d  reconcile  us  to  almost  any  violence  on 
the  part  of  these  who  came  to  overturn  it.  Inhere  were, 
indeed,  occasional  scenes  of  human  sacrifice  at  the  great 
religious  solemnities;  but  these  were  the  exception,  not 
the  rule.  The  people  at  large  lived  on  in  peace  and 
quietness,  contented  with  the  government  and  institutions 
under  whose  influence  they  liv(?d,  and  by  Avhose  care  they 
were  s(x*urcd  in  the  possession  of  the  competencies  of  lil'e. 

^Vc  have  ali'cady  mcntion(M:l  the  successes  and  conquests 
of  Tupac  Yupanqui,  and  his  son  TTuayna  Capac.  The 
latter  prince,  having  reduced  the  kingdom  of  Quito,  the 
modern  Equador,  took  up  his  residence  at  its  capital,  and 
devoted  his  attention  to  bcautitying  his  acquisition,  and 
establishing  the  Peruvian  policy  upon  a  firm  basis  through- 
out its  liniits. 

Tlie  first  expeditions  of  the  Spaniards  to  the  Peruvian 
coast,  took  place  during  the  latter  years  of  this  monarch, 
and  the  accounts  are  said  to  liavc  filled  his  mind  with 
gloomy  forebodings  of  the  overthrow  of  his  empire.  His 
sagacious  perception  readily  recognized  the  vast  superi- 
ority over  his  own  nation,  evident  in  the  vessels,  arms, 
intelligence,   and   enterprise  of  the  strangers.      ITuayna 


1 1 


I 


"I 


SOUTH  AMERICAN  IXDIA^TS. 


0-. 


11 


lovnviiin 


1 1 


I 


1 1 


Capac  died  about  the  year  1525,  leaving  liis  only  legitimate 
son,  Iluascar,  the  regular  successor  to  liis  throne.  Instead 
of  c(.)n firming  the  old  order  of  descent,  the  king's  fondness 
for  another  son,  named  Atahuall})a,  (Atabalipa,  as  spelt  by 
many  old  writers)  led  liim,  upon  his  deatli-be<l,  to  bestow 
upon  this  favorite  a  portion  i^f  liis  L'ingdom.  LFpon  the  sub- 
version of  the  ancient  dynasty  at  Quito,  Iluayna  Capa(3  liad 
talv'iMi  tlie  daughter  of  the  last  native  })rinee  as  (;nc  of  his 
concubines.  l''i'om  this  union  sprung  the  prince  of  whom 
we  are  speaking.  The  share  of  empire  bequeathed  to 
Atahuallpa  was  tliat  of  his  ni:it(n'nal  ancestors,  in  which 
his  father  had  so  ItMig  I'esidcd,  and  to  whose  improvement 
he  had  devested  his  declining  y(;ars.  The  rest  of  the  wide 
domains  of  Pei'u  were  left  in  possession  of  Iluascar. 

This  nmv  oilier  of  things  [U'oduced  no  evil  ellccts  for 
about  live  vears.  Iluascar  maintained  his  court  at  the 
oKl  i;apital,  Cuzco,  while  Atahua!l[>a  remained  at  (.^uito; 
neither  intiu'fering  v.ith  the  other's  rights  of  jurisdiction. 
Their  respective  subjects  readily  acquiesced  in  the  new 
ai'i'angement. 

Diflerent  accounts  arc  given  of  the  first  causes  of  rup- 
ture between  the  brothers;  but  whatever  occasioned  it, 
the  contest  Avhich  ensued  was  bloody  and  disastrous  in  the 
extreme.  But  for  the  disturbed  and  distracted  state  of  tho 
empire  consequent  upon  this  civil  war,  it  v.-Quld  have  been 
utterly  impossible  for  the  Spaniards,  with  the  insignificant 
force  which  tliey  finally  brought  into  the  field,  to  have 
overcom(i  and  subverted  such  an  immense  and  power- 
ful empire. 

The  first  inqtortant  engagement  between  the  armies  of 
the  contending  princes  took  place  at  Ifambata,  about 
sixty  leagues  south  from  Quito.  In  this  battle,  lluascar's 
forces  were  uttc-ily  defeated,  and  his  victorious  brother 
})ressed  onward  to  Tumebamba,  no  great  distance  from 
Tum!;;./>.     This  city  belonged  to  Atahuallpa's  king'loni, 


LL: 


i  • 


11 


I  1 


li 


!  I 


I  ! 


i  I 
il 


■:  J 


t 


'^i: 


.  I  ,•"  ■' 


542 


INIJIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


,t 


,1- 


but  the  inluibitauts  luul  taken  up  aviiis  in  favin-  of  Iluas- 
car.  Ill  vain  did  tlioy  sue  Ibr  nici'cy  IVoiii  tlio  conqueror: 
the  wliolo  disti'ict  \vas  ravat;od,  and  all  nialo  adults  were 
put  to  death.  ri-occcding  on  his  march,  Atahnall])a 
reached  Caxanialca,  where  he  took  up  his  quartei's,  and 
sent  forward  the  chief  poilion  of  his  army  to  meet  the 
jl)r('es  pi'cpared  for  the  protection  of  the  ancient  ca[>ital 
of  JVru. 

A  Moody  and  desperate  battle  was  fought  near  the  city, 
in  which  the  invader  was  again  completely  victorious, 
lluascar  was  taken  })risonei',  and  placed  in  close  conlinc- 
ment,  but  his  brother  had  enough  of  natural  humanity  to 
order  that  all  respect  should  be  shown  lum  in  his  fallen 
fortunes.  If  we  are  to  believe  some  accounts,  Atahuallpa 
sullied  the  fame  wliicli  his  successes  might  have  acquired 
him,  by  acts  of  the  most  unheard-of  barbarity.  Jt  is  said 
that  he  put  to  death,  and  that  too  by  lingering  tortures, 
all  of  the  royal  family  upon  whom  he  could  lay  his  hands, 
including  the  female  branches  of  the  family,  that  he  might 
cut  oir  all  possibility  of  a  rival  appearing  to  contest  his 
I'ight  to  the  throne.  Arodern  lii"^torians  havie  pointed  out 
so  many  discrepancies  and  improbabilities  in  the  details 
of  this  transaction,  that  they  must  be  now  considei'ed  as 
grossly  exaggerated,  if  not  utterly  false. 

Atahuallpa,  now^  claiming  the  title  of  Inca,  and  rejoicing 
in  the  possession  of  the  whole  of  the  immense  empire  of 
his  father,  held  his  court  at  Caxamalca.  In  the  midst  of 
his  exultation  and  triumph,  news  was  brought  of  a  fresh 
arrival  of  Spanish  ships  upon  the  coast. 


I 


!  I 


SOUTH  AMKIUCAX   INlJlANS.  5.1:3 


ClIArTKll  III. 

riZAKHO's  VISIT    TO    SPAIN    AM)    Ari'LICATION    TO  TIIIC    I'.M  TKnoH 

HIS  Foiiii  r.KOTiir.iis — i'I'nds  iM!oci;iti;i)  I'oii  a  ni;\v  i;xi'i;|)1'I'ion 

TO    I'KIIU — VKSSKI.S  A(iAI.V  IMTTKI)  OUT  AT  I'ANA:\IA  —  I,A\I)I.Na 
OF  TIIK    SPANIAHDS    lI'o.X  Till'    I'KKUVIAN    COAST — IMJINJIKK 

AT    COAliKK TIIK     IMAHCII     TOWAKDS    TUMIiH/. MATTM'S 

ON  THK    JSMC    OF   I'U.NA — TCMIiKZ    DESKRTKI) — sKTTI.i:- 

MENT  OF  SAN  MKiUKI, .MAIKII    K\TO  Till';    INTKIMOR 

PASSAGE     OF    THE    AN'DKS — MESSAGES     FItOJI 

ATAHUALLl'A ICNTItY     INTO     CAXA^IALCA. 

As  Pi/iUTo,  Almagro,  and  Lu(|iic,  received  no  ciicour 
agcMiieiit  from  tlio  governor,  at  Panama,  in  tlio  prosecution 
of  tlicir  [ilans;  and  as  tlieir  i'lmdrf  were  exliausted  l)y  the 
first  e.\[)editions,  it  became  necessary  to  seek  the  assistance 
of  some  powerful  patron,  or  to  abandon  the  e!ii(M'[)rise. 
In  this  emergency,  LiKpie  advised  an  immediate  a}t})]i('alioij 
to  the  Spanish  court.  In  tlio  discussion  of  the  (piestion  as 
to  who  should  undertake  this  duty,  Almagro  strongly 
urg<'d  the  ex})ediency  of  trusting  the  Avliole  matter  to  the 
prudence  and  soldiei'ly  intrepidity  of  his  unlettered  com- 
panion-in-arms, Pizarro.  lie  was  the  man  wlio  had  seen 
and  experienced  more  than  any  other  of  the  nature  of 
the  land  of  promise,  and  his  unllinching  detei'mination 
and  perseverance  seemed  to  cpialify  him  as  Avell  to  press 
his  suit  at  court,  as  to  undei'go  tlie  disappointments  and 
physical  hardships  of  the  conquest  itself. 

Pi/arro  consented  to  the  proposal,  and  sailed  for  Spain, 
when;  he  arrived  early  in  the  summer  of  1528,  carrying 
with  him  specimens  of  Peruvian  art  and  wealth,  tf)gether 
with  natives  of  the  country,  and  several  of  clic  beasts  of 
burden  peculiar  to  Peru.  lie  was  favorably  received,  and 
his  accounts  were  credited  by  the  Emperor  Charles  the 
l^'ifth;  and  the  royal  consent  was  obtained  to  the  }u-oscca- 


\}: 


i^^'J 


■I!. 


r 


!  I 
II 

il 

ii 


I 


5-i-l 


INDIAN    KACKri  OF  AMKlllCA. 


lion  of  tlic  Diighty  undertaking  of  conqucrit.  No  iiccuniary 
assistance,  however,  was  rendered  or  }n-oiniscd.  Prospec- 
tive lionoi'rf  and  cinolunients  wei'e  liestowed  upon  Pi'-carro 
and  Ills  two  associates,  contingent  upon  their  success,  and 
tlic  latter  to  Ijc  drawn  entirely  from  the  conrpaered  nation. 
Pizarro  w;is  to  ho  govcriior,  adelautado  and  iilguacil 
mayor  of  Peru,  which  onieo  he  was  to  till  for  life,  and  to 
which  a  lavize  salary  was  to  he  attached.  Ahiia'-i,i'o  was 
placed  in  altogether  an  iiiflo-Jor  po:-ition,  a-;  connuamler  at 
Tunibe/. ;  and  Father  Linpie  was  declared  Biidiop  of  thai, 
district,  novv'  to  he  converted  into  a  see  of  the  cliurch. 
One-fifth  of  the  gold  and  silver  to  he  obtained  h}'  plunder, 
and  one-tcntli  of- all  gained  hv  mining  v/as  reserved  as  a 
roval  jierquisite. 

Pizarro  irnmediatelv  set  himself  to  raise  funds  and  enlist 
men  for  tlic  proposed  conquest.  Itc  Avas  joined  hy  his 
four  brothers,  one  of  whom,  Hernando  Pizarro,  v.-as  a 
Jegitimaic  son  of  Gonzalo.  The  other  three,  Gonzalo  and 
Juan  Pizarro,  and  Francisco  dc  Alcontara  were  illegitimate 
children,  and  connected  with  the  hero  of  our  narrativ^e, 
the  two  first  on  the  father's  side,  the  latter  on  that  of 
the  mother.  » 

It  ^vas  no  easy  matter  to  provide  money  for  the  necessary 
expenses  of  so  hazardous  an  exploit  as  that  proposed;  but 
fortunately  for  Pizarro,  Hernando  Cortez,  the  renowned 
conqueror  of  Mexico,  was  at  this  time  in  Spain,  and,  after 
seeing  and  conferring  with  him,  f..rnished,  from  his  own 
am.}. 'e  stores,  Avhat  was  needed  to  complete  an  outfit. 

Upon  Pizarro's  return  to  America,  serious  quarrels 
ensued  between  him  and  Almagro,  who,  as  a}^]iears  .justly, 
thought  himself  grossly  neglected  in  the  arranLrenients 
entered  into  witli  the  Spani-sh  govei-mnent.  Lmpic  also 
distrusted  the  good  fiith  of  his  emissary,  and  it  seemed 
too  evident  to  both  of  these  parties  to  the  old  contract, 
that  Pizarro  would  readily  throw  them  aside,  should  occa- 


1 1 


,  I 


1 1 


!| 


•| 


1  i 


■m 


.h 


ss,  an 


uiiiarv    t 
rospec-    '; 
i'i'/.iirro 
d 

iKition. 
iiguacil 

aii'l  to 
a'o  was 
indor  at 

v'i  tliat 
c;luircli. 
)liin(U'r, 
,-L'(l  as  a 

1(1  enlist 
1  Lvliis 
),  v/as  a 
/alo  and 
ti'itlniatc 
uTativc, 
that  of 


jcd;  but 

now  nod 

lul,  alter 

llii:.;  uwn 

it. 

[juarrels 

justly, 

fcnients 

ine  also 

[seemed 

(iitract, 

id  occa* 


ii 


! 


!  1 


:   I 
1   I 

11 


I    I 


SOUTU  AMERICAN   INDIANS. 


515 


sion  offer,  and  advance  liis  own  relations  in  their  stead. 
These  dilliculties  were,  by  Pizarro's  representations,  prom- 
ises, and  concessions,  for  the  time  smoothed  over,  and 
three  vessels  were  fitted  out  at  i^anama  lor  the  u'rand 
expedition.  Those  in  which  the  recruits  liad  been  brought 
ove]'  from  Spain,  were  Jiecessaiily  1  jft  upon  the  otlier  side 
of  the  Istlnnus. 

It  was  not  until  January,  of  l-jui,  that  the  a(lventur':-rs 
set  sail.     The  company  consisted  of  less  than  two  hundi'cd 
men,  twxuity-seven  of  whoni  were  provided  with  horses; 
the  advantage  of  even  a  small  body  of  cavalry  in  fights 
with  the  Indians  having  been  so  strikingly  apparent  in  the 
proceedings  at  Mexico.     Tumbez,  on  the  southern  shore 
of  the  gulf  of  Guayacpril,  was  tlie  port  for  which  the  little 
fleet  steered  its  course,  but,  owing  to  head  winds  and  other 
difficulties  in  navigation,  a  landing  w^as  made  at  the  bay 
of  St.  Matthew's.     I'izarro,  with  the  armed  force,  went  on 
shore  at  tins  place,  not  far  from  where  E.^meraldas  now 
stands,  and  marched  southward,  while  tlie  vessels  coasted 
along  the  shore.     Feeling  himself  strong' enougli  to  com- 
mence scj-ious  operations,  the  unprincipled   invader   no 
longer  put  on  the  cloak  of  friendship,  but  without  warn- 
ing fell  upon  the  first  Indian  town  in  his  route.     This  w^as 
in  the  district  of  Coaque.     The  natives  fled,  leaving  their 
treasures  to  be  seized  and  plundered  by  the  Spaniards. 
A  considerable  quantity  of  gold,  and  a  great  number  of 
the  largest  and  most  valuable  emeralds  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  rapacious  adventurers.      The  spoil  was  collected, 
and  publicly  distributed,  according  to  regulated  portions, 
among  the  company,  it  being  death  to  secrete  any  private 
plunder.     The  royal  fifth  was  deducted  previous  to  the 
division. 

The  vessels  were  sent  back  to  Panama  to  excite,  by  the 
display  of  these  treasures,  the  cupidity  of  new  recruits, 
while  the  little  army  continued  its  marcli  towards  Tumbez. 
35 


1 1 


■    '%'\ 

■<(,'  ■■*'r 

:„^.! 

■Miii^'.k 


i       "it 


I     'I 

I 


Xf 


fi .' 


I, 

■  i 


■■'t 


■  H^' 


5  i(\ 


INDIAN  liACKS  OF  AMKlilCA. 


I 


TIk-  natives  of  tlic  vill;i,m\s  tliron.^li  wliicli  \\wy  passed, 
U'jii-iiiiii:-,  ill  ;idv!UK'e  of  the  Spniiiai'ds'  ;ip})r()ucli,  tlio  course 
jtiii-siiol  at  Concjiu',  aliamloiu^il  tlii'ii'  Iiodu'S,  l)i\irinj2;  all 
lli'-ir  \aluablcs  wilh  llinn.  Prisatioii  ami  .sun'oriu.u'  (Mi- 
sitcd.  The  tnipical  liral  (-f  tiie  country,  faniiiic  and 
i'aliir'iu^,  l)cij,'an  to  dislicailcn  the  troops.  AVoi'sc  tlian  all. 
a  siii'jiilarand  Jiialignant  cutaneous  disease  began  to  spread 
anioiii!,-  llicni.  ]jarL|,'c  warts  tn-  vascular  cxcrcscnccs  broke 
out  iijiou  those  atiacke(l,  v.hieli,  if  t)[)ened,  bled  so  pro- 
fusely as  to  cause  d(>ath.  '•''i'lic  (uiiihMuie,"  says  I'rescott, 
"wliieii  made  its  first  a])pearaiice  dui'Mig  thi.-;  in\-asioii,  ami 
wliieii  did  cot  lon_L;'  sniA'ive  it,  sj)read  o\cr  the  whole 
country,  s[)ai'in,'^'  neithei'  native  nor  white  man." 

The  distresses  of  the  Sjianiards  were  soincAvhat  velii^ved 
by  the  arriA';d  of  a  v'.\'<sel  from  Paiuuna,  hi  which  came;  a 
numb,-!'  of  new  slate  otlicers,  a]>{)ointed  by  the  iMnpcror 
Charles  since  J'i/ano's  departure  from  Spain,  bringing 
uith  tluan  a  quantity  of  provision.  With  some  slight 
further  rrinforccincnt,  the  commander  brought  liis  troops 
to  ll;e  gulf  of  Guayar}uil,  and,  1)y  invitation  from  the  isl- 
ander-;, wh.o  had  nov>u-  b-eeii  nMbiccd  b}'  the  Peruvian 
monarehs,  atul  still  nriintaieetl  a  desultory  warfare  wilh 
their  I'oi'ces,  \v'  tool:  up  his  <iuarters  upon  the  isle  of 
riina.  'I'he  inhabitants  o{  'rmulx'Z,  (lying,  as  we  have 
mentioned,  upon  the  southern  shoi'c  of  the  gulf,  and  oppo- 
site the  island,)  came  over,  in  large  nund)ers,  to  welcome 
tlu!  whites,  trusting  to  liieii-  friendlv  demonstrations  at  the 
time  («f  the  early  ex})e(lif  ions.  Dilliculties  soon  arose  fiN^m 
tlm  bringing  of  these  hostile  Indian  rac(\s  in  contact. 
Pi/arro  was  told  that  a  consj)iraj;y  had  bciui  i'ormed  l)y 
some  of  the  islaiul  clTu'I's,  to  massacre^  him  and  his  n)llow- 
(>rs,  W'ithout  delay,  he  seiztMl  upon  the  accused,  and 
dcli\-  u'ed  tliem  over  to  th(-ir  old  enemii\s  of  Tundie/,  for 
desii'uction.  The  conscipience  was  a  furi(jus  atl;iek  by  the 
island,  rs.     The  thousands  of  dusky  warric^rs  who    sur- 


II 


mg 


loii,  :unl 


0   w 


hole 


SOUTJI  AMEUlCAiV  INDIANS. 


bi'i 


roiir.dcd  the  little  cncanij)m(Mi1,  wore  (lispc>rs('(l  ntid  di'ivi-n 
into  the  thickets,  with  vri'v  siiuiU  loss  to  tlu",  well-uriiuH 

1  iii;iil-cl;ul  lMiro[>o;uis.      '1"1k'  discluirsjce  ol'   niiisketrv 

,1  the  I'ush  oC  mounted 


JUH 

aiu 


I 


men,  g 


lis1eiiin<_r  with  d(.T( 


ciisive 


armor,  seldom  failed  to  hreak  the  lines,  and  conl'use  tiie 
movements    even    of   the   hi'avest   and   most    deter 


minei. 


savafics. 


Afttn'tluMr  victory  l^i/iii'i'O  found  his  situation  extremely 
precarious,  for  the  encMuies  whom  he  had  driven  inU)  the 
forest  continued  to  harass  and  weary  his  aiany  by  night 
attacks,  and  the  diiVnailtv  of  pi'dcui-ing  provisions  daily 
inci'cased.       lie  became  desirous  of  passing  over   to  liie 


mam  as  sjieedily  as  ]iossil>li>,  and  h 


1  h 


IS  a'ood 


()rtun 


Mlt 


him,  at  tliis  period,  such  as 
"an 


istance  as  reniU-recl  tlu>  contiti- 
ce  of  his  enterprise  more  hopi'ful.     This  was  aObrded 


by  the  arrival  of  the  celebrated  llcrnaiulo  de  Soto,  whose 
romantic  advcr.tures  in  afterdif(>,  have  been  briclly  chron- 
icled in  the  eai'ly  jiart  of  this  volume,  under  the  title  of  the 
l^dorida  Indians.  De  Soto  brouo-ht  out  tmc  hundred  men 
and  a  considerable  numher  of  horses.  'I'lius  reinforced, 
the  connnander  of  the  expedition  at  once  undertook  the 
transportation  of  his  men  and  stores  across  to  'l^uubez. 

Instead  of  rejoicing  their  eyes  with  the  splendor  of  this 
celebrated  city,  and  luxuriating  in  its  wealth,  the  Spaniards 
found  the  whole  place  dilapidated  and  deserted.  Such  of 
the  Indians  as  appeared,  manifested  a  decidedly  hostile 
disj)Os'tion,  and  several  of  the  ])arty  engaged  in  transport- 
ing the  baggage  and  ]M\)visions,  u])on  balsas  or  rafts,  were 
seized  and  slain.  ?^Iost  of  the  houses  of  the  city  were 
found  to  l)C  destroyed,  and  the  costly  ornaments  and 
decorations  were  all  stripped  from  the  i  ,mj>l(\  It  cannot 
be  ccrtaiidy  known,  at  this  day,  what  were  the  causes  for 
this  conduct  on  the  part  of  the  peojile  of  'fumbez.  The 
curacaof  the  place  was  taken  ]  prisoner  by  s(jnui  ol  Pi;<ai'ro\s 
n)en,  and  liis  explanation  of  the  niattcu'  was.  that  the  wai 


'f  ■■>■  i'l 


"it 


M'    '^ 


:«i,    1 


w  W 


m 


t 


■  f 


m 


•>, 


3 

'(^; 


1 1 


1 1 


I  ! 


!  I 


r.i8 


I\T)IAX  HACKS  OF  a:\ieru'a. 


witli  the  Puna  islanders  Imd  resulted  in  this  demolition  of 
the  city.  No  certain  intclligenee  was  ever  obtained  of  tlie 
fate  of  those  whites  who  luid  heen  lell  at  Tunibcz  at  the 
time  of  the  former  ex])edition  of  discovery. 

It  now  became  evident  to  Pizarro  that  he  should  have 
some  fixed  ])laec  of  seltlemcnt,  where  his  troops  might 
encamp  nnd  live  in  safety  until  a  j)roper  oppoi'tunity  pre- 
sented it.self  for  more  active  operations.  He  thcri'lbrc  i^et 
himself  to  explore  the  country  to  the  southward.  In  c(^!i- 
ductingthis  examination,  he  made  use  of  a  more  concilia- 
tory policy  than  heretofore,  in  liis  intercourse  with  the 
natives,  and  took  pains  to  restrain,  for  the  "time,  the 
rapacity  of  his  followers.  The  result  was  that  the  Indians 
were  in  turn  fricndlj^  and  hospital)le.  A  settlement  was 
made,  and  the  foundation  of  a  town,  called  San  Miguel, 
commenced  on  the  river  Piura.  Nund^crs  of  the  natives 
were  reduced  to  vassalage,  and  distributed  among  the 
Spaniards  to  aid  in  the  labor  of  improving  and  extending 
the  village. 

Pizarro  had  gathered  information,  bv  means  of  the  in- 
terpreters  in  his  company — the  natives  formerly  taken  by 
hira  to  Spain— of  the  political  state  of  the  eountrj^,  and  of 
the  present  location  of  Atahuallpa,  at  or  near  Caxamalca. 
He  had  secured  a  considerable  amount  of  gold,  which  was 
scut  bade  to  Panama,  by  consent  of  the  company,  and 
applied,  after  deducting  the  perquisites  of  the  crown,  to 
defray  the  expense  of  fitting  out  the  expedition. 

The  whole  summer  was  spent  in  these  operations,  and 
it  wiis  not  until  the  24th  of  September,  1532,  that  the 
commander  was  prepared  to  lead  his  small  army  into  the 
interior.  His  whole  force  was  less  than  two  hundred  men, 
from  whom  it  was  necessary  to  deduct  a  portion  for  the 
purpose  of  garrisoning  San  Miguel.  On  the  march  towiirds 
the  enormous  range  of  mountains  which  they  were  to 
cross,  the  Spaniards  refrained  from  rapirje  and  plunder. 


i  i 


1.  (4 


litiori  of 
3d  of  tlio 
QZ  at  the 

lid  have 
IS  iiii.u'ht 
nity  pre- 
I'cfore  set 
In  e'lTi- 
com-ilia- 
with  tlie 
time,  the 
e  Indians 
mcnt  was 
n  ^liguel, 
le  natives 
mong  the 
L^xtendini^ 

:)f  the  in- 
talvcn  by 
|v,  and  of 
lixamalca. 
Ivhich  was 
lany,  and 
;rown,  to 

Uons,  and 
that  the 
into  tlie 
Ired  men, 
In  for  the 
|i  towards 
^vere  to 
plunder. 


!! 


1 1 


ii 


SOUTH  AMERICAN  INDIANS. 


549 


They  were  therefore  rcecivcd  with  kindly  curiosity  by  the 
inhabitants,  and  in  tlieir  progress  availed  themselves  with* 


out   molestation    ol 


th 


|iul)lie 


fortresses   and   sheltered 


stopping-places  prepared  U])on  the  high  roads  for  the  use 
of  the  royal  armies,  '^rhcy  were  delighted  with  the  rich 
and  highly-cultivated  appearance  of  man}' of  the  bcautii'ul 
V  lilies  passed  upon  the  route. 

The  company  consisted  of  .one  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven  men,  of  whom  sixty-seven  were  m<ninted.  From 
this  number,  nine  malcontents  were  suirered  by  the  pru- 
dent leader  to  i-eluni  to  San  Miguel,  u[)on  pretence  that 
the  garrison  h-ft  there  was  too  weak,  but  in  reality  to  pre- 
vent the  spread  of  disi^ontent  among  the  troops. 

In  a  hopeful  spirit,  and  with  strengthened  confidence  in 
their  commRnder,  the  little  cavalcade  pressed  on  to  Zaran, 
a  feitile  settlement  amid  the  mountains.  A  few  leagues 
south  of  this  })lace,  at  Caxas,  a  garrison  of  the  Inca's  troops 
was  said  to  be  stationed,  and  tluther  Pi/arro  sent  an  em- 
bassy, under  the  direction  of  De  Soto,  to  ojien  a  commu- 
nication with  the  prince.  4'he  messengei's  were  absent  no 
less  than  a  week;  but  they  finally  returned  in  safety, 
accompanied  by  one  of  the  ofriccrs  of  the  Tnca,  bearing 
rich  ju'cscnts  and  mcjssages  of  welcome  and  invitation 
from  tlie  monarch  in  person.  Pizarro  received  this  noble 
Avith  the  respect  duo  to  his  rank  and  position,  bestowing 
upon  him  such  gifts  as  would  be  most  attractive  in  the 
eyes  of  a  person  ignorant  of  European  arts.  At  his  de- 
parture, the  envoy  was  charged  to  tell  his  sovereign  that 
the  band  of  whites  was  subject  to  a  great  emperor  of  a 
distant  country;  that  they  had  heard  of  the  Inca's  great- 
ness and  conquests,  and  had  come  to  proll'cr  their  aid  in 
his  wars. 

Continuing  their  march,  the  Spaniards  reached  the  foot 
of  the  Andes.  Nothincr  but  the  fiercest  couraQ:e  and  the 
most  undaunted  resolution,  both  excivod  to  the  utmost  by 


;.  11)1 


< . 


5r.o 


INDIAN    ItAi'KS  OF  AMlilMCA. 


1, 


tl 


ilio  hope  of  l»()Uii(11es.s  I'iclics  iiiid  T(  waid,-!,  coiilil  luive 
stiiuulaUMl  siicli  ii  liainll'iil  ol'  advoiiturcis  to  uiidcrtako 
tlio  ascent  of  lliis  ciionnoiis  range  oC  niiiiiniaius,  wIuto 
nothing  couhl  .save  thum  from  utter  destriietion,  sh(iiil(I 
the  lorbearanee  of  (hi'  natives  eeast\  IMic  niai)i  niniinlain 
roail,  strelcliing  oil"  to  the  southward  t(nvards  the  aiieient 
.Peruvian  capital,  templcil  tln^ni  to  take  their  course  in  that 
direction,  while  ai^ross  tlie  mountains  a  narrow  and  dilll- 
cidt  pass  led  towards  tlie  encani})ment  of  the  Inea.  It  was 
detei'miiicd  to  push  on  in  the  originally  i)roposcd  direc- 
tion. The  vast  and  rugged  elevations,  rising  one  beyojid 
anotlui-.  must  have  a})peared  to  the  unpractised  eye  totally 
iusurmouutablc. 

.1   »     .«     :K     Those  cverlaatiiifr  clouds, 
Sopilliiiu' ;iikI  li.irvcst,  morning,  noon,  and  niylit, 
Still  wJRM'i;  llify  were,  slcadl'Mst,  immovable^ 
.^o  nia.s.sivi",  yet  so  shadowy,  so  othon'al, 
As  to  bi'long  rathor  to  Ileuven  than  Earth — 
*     *     They  seemed  tlic  barriers  of  .1  World, 
Saying,  Thus  far,  no  farther!" 

The  accounts  of  modern  travellers  have  familiarized  us 
with  the  details  of  the  dangers  attendant  icpon  a  passage 
of  the  Andes.  What  then  must  have  been  the  attempt 
by  these  pioneers,  totally  ignorant  of  the  route,  and  mo- 
mentarily expecting  an  attack  from  the  natives  in  ptisscs 
where  an  army  could  be  effectually  checked  by  a  handful 
of  resolute  men.  Their  fears  of  Indian  treachery  proved, 
however,  groundless;  they  reached  the  summit  in  safety, 
and,  while  encamped  about  the  fires  rendered  necessary 
by  the  sharp  air  of  those  elevated  regions,  messengers 
again  appeared,  sent  by  Atahuallpa  to  meet  them.  A 
present  of  llamas  proved  most  acccj)table  to  the  Avcaried 
and  suil'cring  troops,  and,  from  all  that  could  be  gathered 
by  communion  with  the  ambassadors,  it  did  not  ap])ear 
probable  that  they  \yould  be  molested  upon  tiicir  route. 


,'  ■■:» 


yh 


POUTJl  .AMKUICAN  1NI>1ANS. 


551 


Tiitl1(.  (loiilit,  was  (iili'i'taiiioil  hy  Pi/arro  lliat,  tlio  Tnca 
fullj  iiitiMi(l('(l  to  entrap  aiw]  sci/.c  him  a.-;  sdoii  as  he  sIk'hM 
he  completely  in  his  powcf,  aii'l  siin'ouinli'd  Ity  an  \v\v- 
sistil)lc  force  of  his  s.il)jcc;ts.  it  was  ascertain  > I  that 
Ataluiallpa  was  encamped  with  a  large  army  only  three 
mil(>s  from  Ctixanialen,  and  that  the  city  was  al-imdoned 
!)}■  its  inhabitants.  This  had  a  thrcatcain;^  ap[)e;ir;;ne;', 
bnt  tlio  Inca  continued  to  send  fri.'ndly  mcssa,cres,  and  as 
it  was  too  late  to  thiid<  of  retreat,  even  had  ih-  Ir  lieart; 
now  failed  them,  the  Spaniards  descended  the  eastern  slope 
of  the  Andes,  and  (Mitei'e(l  the;  Nalhy  of  Caxamalea.  l'iV(>ry 
tiling-  now  seen  gave  tokens  of  ])rosperity,  industry,  and 
shill.  "  P)clow  the  adventurers,"  says  Prescott,  "with  its 
white  hons(\s  glitt(;rin,q"  in  the  sun,  lay  the  little  city  of 
Caxamalea,  like  a  sparkling  gem  on  the  dark  skirls  of  the 
sierra."  Farther  on,  the  immense  eneampment  of  the  1  nea 
was  seen  in  the  distance,  spotting  the  rising  ground  with 
countless  tents.  Marching  tlirough  the  valley,  the  troops 
entered  tlic  vacant  cit}''  u})on  the  loth  of  November  (luo2). 


CIIArTKR    IV. 

FIRST  INTKRVnnV  WITH  THE  IXC  A PLANS  FOR  HIS  CAl'TIMf  K — KNTRY 

OK  ATAHUAIJ.l'A  INTO  CAXAMALCA ADDItKSS  OK  TllK  CIIAl'f.Al.N 

ATTACK    ]jy  THi;   Sl'ANl  AKl  DS  :    KKARKCI.  MASSACUK  OK  THH  NA- 

TlViiS,  AND  SEIZURE  OF  THE  IXCA I'KISONERS  AND  PLUXDEU 

OBTAINED — THE  PROMISED  RANSOM — HERNANDO  PIZARRO's 

VISIT  TO  PACIIACAMACA CHALLCUCHIHA MESSENGERS 

SENT  TO  CUZCO — IMJIENSE    TREASURE  COLLECTED  AT 
CAXAMALCA — TRIAL  AND  MURDER  OK  ATAIIUALLPA. 

A  small  party  of  horse,  led  by  Hernando  Pizarro  and 
by  the  brave  and  chivalrous  Dc  Soto,  was  at  once  dis- 
patched to  report  to  the  Inca  the  arrival  of  the  Spaniards. 


II 


I 


L:r- 


111 


m 


? 


ih>2 


INDIAN    HACKS   OF''   AMKUICA. 


(. 


li 


I  I 


l);isliin<.;  boltllv  up,  tijM.n  llicir  spiiih'il  liorsrs,  tlio  Span- 
ianls  oiitorod  tlic  si>at'o  o(;('nj)i(«d  by  the  JVnivian  camp, 
aiul  soon  stood  ill  ilicioval  prcstMieo.  7\tahu;illpa,  distin- 
Pfuisliod  by  the ''liorla,"  or  criiiisoii  IViuji^o  bound  aroiind 
the  (brclioad,  an  (Hiiaiiu'iit  jicculiar  lo  thu  liicas,  sat  cx- 
poi'l'ui;^^  Ihvir  arrival,  surrouudod  by  his  oHiccrs  of  state. 
Ho  did  not  so  far  unbend  liis  dignity  as  to  ))av  the  least, 
attention  to  tlie  novel  appearaneo  of  the  stcel-elad  caval- 
cade, but  kept  his  eyes  immovably  fixed  upon  llie  ground. 
Without  dismounting,  lleriuindo  saluted  the  monureli, 
and,  through  l'Vli})il]o's  interjjvetation,  made  known  his 
general's  avowed  ])urpos(  s,  and  earnestly  recpicsted  tho 
king  to  visit  the.  S])anish  camp  in  person.  One  of  the 
attendants,  speaking  in  behalf  of  his  master,  briefly  replicnl, 
"It  is  well." 

irernando  still  persisted  in  requesting  the  monareli  to 
make  known  his  pleasure,  and  to  speak  to  them  })erson- 
ally;  whei'cupon  Atahuallj)a,  turning  his  head,  and  look- 
ing u{)on  him  with  a  smile,  announced  that  he  was  then  in 
the  observance  of  a  fast,  but  would  visit  the  Spanish 
quarters  on  the  ensuing  day.  lie  further  directed  that 
the  troops  should  conrmc  themselves  to  the  buildings  situ- 
ated upon  tlie  plaxa  or  public  square. 

Do  Soto  is  said  to  have  been  mounted  ujion  a  noble 
charger,  and,  to  excite  the  admiration  of  the  Inca,  he  put 
his  horse  to  his  fidl  speed,  and  wheeling  suddeid\',  drew 
him  short  up  immediately  in  front  of  the  monarch.  Ata- 
hualljia's  nerves  were  proof  against  this  disjtlay,  and  he 
gave  no  signs  whatever  of  any  emotion.  It  was  after- 
wards r-ported  that  ho  caused  several  of  his  attendants  to 
be  put  to  death  for  cxhil)iting  alarm,  upon  this  occasion, 
at  the  fury  and  spirit  of  the  wardiorse. 

Some  of  tlic  women  of  tho  royal  household  now  offered 
the  Sjianiards  the  fermented  drink  of  the  eountrv,  "chi- 
cha,"  in  golden  goblets.     This  tluu-  drank  in  thcii-  saddles, 


I 


1 1 


ftOUTll  AMKIUCAN   INDIANA. 


and  llicii  spurred  back  to  tlio  tMic;uii|iiii(iit  at  CiiXiunalcn. 
^riirir  r('[H)rt  of  llic  poNvd- of  lln'  I'cniviiiii  ft'i-cc  l.'ii(1('(l 
yroally  to  discourage!  the  little  ImikI  of  adM'Htiircrs,  hut 
\]y  st'i'vod  to  nci'vc  tlirlr  lu»ld  ;iii(l   nii,-ciii|iul()iis  li'iidcr 


01 


to  a  iiioi'c  (U'Ici'iu 


iiiit'i 


hUl'hoM' 


lu'i'ojlccliii"!:  tlu>  su 


I'l'CSS 


ol'  Cortcz   in  sccnuin^i!'   ll.  >  jjcrsou    <»r   Moulc/unia,   and 
tlirou-'li  liini,  for  the  time,  conti'olliuv:  lln-  olliccrs  of  tlic 


cajiital,    Pi/iirro  drtonuiiu'd  upon   tlu;  sanii-  policy 


li 


lie 

made  known  liis  re.-'(iUiti(.>n  to  his  oIlieiM'S,  and  tlien  pro- 
ceede<l  Id  distrihuti^  sentiiirls  at  points  wliere  liiey  could 
command  a  \  iew  of  (he  approaches  to  the  city,  and  of  the 
IV'rn\  ian  ciimp. 

At  da_yd)rt>ak  on  the  followin;^'  morning,  Pizarro  com- 
Juenced  his  arrangements  for  tlu;  surprise  and  captur*'  of 
the  Inea.  The  great  snuare  (moiv  projjcii}',  in  this  in- 
stance', a  triangle)  was  surrounded  with  low  buildings, 
with  large  entrances  on  the  same  level  with  the  inclosed 
.space.  They  were  built  partly  of  stone,  but  mostly  of 
uidjurnt  In-ick  or  clay.  'I'he  Spanish  cavalry,  in  two  sep- 
arate bodies,  re  sj)ectively  under  command  of  ITernando 
Vv/.iwvo  and  De  Soto,  was  concealed  in  large  halls,  from 
whie'h  a  sally  could  be  nia<le  at  a  moment's  wai'uing.  The 
foot-soldici's  were  stationed  in  another  quarter,  where  iliey 
could  most  promptly  second  the  eflbrts  of  the  horse;  and 
two  small  falconets,  constituting  the  only  artillery,  were 
placed  nndei"  charge  of  an  officer  called  Pedro  de  Candia, 
from  the  place  of  his  birth. 

The  IVi'uvian  moiuirch,  on  his  part,  made  preparations 
to  ap})ear  in  the  utmcv^t  stnt(>,  and  to  impress  the  eyes  of 
the  strangers  with  his  power  and  magnilicence.  So  nnich 
tinu>  was  occupied  in  the  movements  of  the  innnense  ^n'"!}'? 
that  it  was  after  noon  before  the  Tnea  arrived  at  the  city. 
lie  Avas  al)()ut  to  pileh  his  camp  witliont  the  walls,  and 
postpone  his  visit  till  the  foUowin.g  moi'uing,  had  not 
PizaiTo  sent  a  message,  earnestly  requesting  him   lujt  to 


■i: 


!sJ:f 


'■■i\ 


WA 


«.  -r-;l 

w 


55-1 


INDIAN  KACES   OF  AMHl^lCA. 


delay  liis  coming,  as  all  was  ready  lor  Lis  entertainment 
Entirely  uiususpicious  uf  the  jici'iidious  intention  of  the 
Spaniiii'ils,  Alaliuall])a  complied  with  the  request.  ]t'\vas 
nearly  sunset  wlicii'he  entered  the  town,  accompanied  by 
thousands  n})on  thousands  of  obsequious  but  unarmed 
attendants,  Jle  was  borne  by  numbers  of  his  people  upon 
a  high  palanquin,  on  a  seat  of  massive  gold,  hung  about 
and  adorued  with  the  most  brilliant  feathered  work.  Jlis 
dress  was  equally  magnilicent,  and  sparkled  with  the 
rarest  gems. 

Arriving  at  the  middle  of  the  great  sq^iarc,  Avilh  his 
peo])le,  to  the  number,  as  was  computed,  of  from  live 
to  six  thousand,  ranged  in  respectfuk  silence  around  him, 
Atahuull})a  was  surprised  to  sec  nothing  of  the  l']uro- 
peans.  rresently,  however,  the  chaplain,  Vicente  de  Val- 
verde,  made  his  appearance,  and,  addressing  the  Inca, 
commenced  a  long-winded  oration  ujion  the  religion  of 
the  Spaniards,  the  authoi'ity  of  their  monarch  and  of  the 
Pope,  and  the  purposes  of  the  expedition;  and  concluded 
by  exhorting  him  to  discard  his  idolatrous  worship,  to 
receive  that  now  proffered,  and  to  acknowledge  himself 
the  subject  of  the  emperor!  Old  Purelias  gives  the  fol- 
lowing outline  of  tlie  ecclesiastic's  oi'ation:  "■  l!x':(:ll(:ut 
L(jrd^  it  behoveth  j'ou  to  know,  '^Jdi'if-,  GOD  in  'i'rinitie  and 
Vnitie  made  the  world  of  nothing,  and  formed  a  man  of 
the  Ivirth  whom  he  called  Adam^  of  whom  we  all  hauc 
beginning.  Adiun  sinned  against  his  Creator  by  disobe- 
dience, and  in  him  all  his  posteritie,  except  IMSYS 
CilKlST:  who,  being  God  came  down  from  Heaven  and 
tooke  flesh  of  the  Yirgine  AfAiUK;  and  to  redeen\e  ]\Iaii- 
kinde,  died  on  a  Crosse  like  to  this  (fur  which  cause  we 
Vv^orship  it;)  rose  agai)i  the  third  day,  and  after  Ibrtie  dayes, 
ascended  into  lleaut'U,  leaning  for  his  Vicar  in  Earth  Saint 
Ptlcr,  and  his  Successours,  which  we  call  Popes;  v.ho  hauc 
giueii  to  the  most  Puissant  King  of  Spaine,  iMnperour  of 


I 


I 


I 


!l 


SOUTH  AMERICAN  INDIANS. 


uoo 


tlie  Romanes  tlic  Monarchy  of  the  Worhl.    Obey  the  Pope, 
and  r(>ceiiic  tlic  faitli  of  Ciuiis'i';  and  if  yee  shall  hclccue 
it  most  holy,  and  that  most  false  which  yee  ham",  yee  shall 
doc  well;  and  knowc  that,  doing  the  contrarie,  wc(>  will 
make  warre  on  you,  and  will  take  away  and  breakc  your 
Idols;  therefore  Icaue  the  deceiuablc  religion  of  your  false 
Gods."     All  this,  (to  him)  tedious  and  incomprehensible 
jargon  -was  interpreted  to  the  Inca — according  to  report, 
yith  some  rather  ludicrous  errors,  in  the  exphinalion  of 
the  religious  dogmas.    ITe  hstoned  in  silence  until  he  heard 
the  arrogant  and  insolent  conclusion,  when  not  eyen  the 
a])athy  or  self-control  of  the  Indian  was  suQ'icient  to  enable 
him  to  conceal  his  indignation.     He  replied  in  language 
befitting  a  king,  that  no  man  could  claim  superiority  oyer 
him,  and  that  he  would  ncycr  abjure  the  religion  of  his 
country.     "  For  the  Emperor,"  he  said,  according  to  Pur- 
chas,  ''hec  could  be  pleased  to  be  the  friend  of  so  great  ti 
I'j-ince,  and  to  know  him:  but  for  the  Pope,  he  would  not 
obey  him,  which  gauc  away  that  which  was  not  his  ownc, 
and  tooke  a  Kin<2:domc  from  him  whom  hee  had  ncuer 
scene:  as  for  Religion,  hee  liked  well  his  ownc,  and  neither 
would  nor  ought  to  call  it  in  rpicstion,  being  so  ancient 
and  ajipi'oued,  especially  seeing  Christ  dyed,  which  ncuer 
befell  the  Sunnc  or  j\[oone."    Then  taking  fi'om  the  Pi'iest's 
hand  the  Bible  or  breyiary  which  he  held   forth  as  the 
authority  for  his  unheard-of  assumption,  the  Inca  threw  it 
upon  the  ground,  angrily  announcing  his  determination 
of  calling  the  Spaniards  to  a  speedy  account  iov  their 
presumption,  and  for  the  wrongs  already  inflicted  upon 
his  nation. 

The  friar  soudit  out  Pizarro,  and  uraed  him  to  make 
an  immediate  attack,  offering  him  absolution  for  any  sin 
he  miu'ht  commit  in  so  doinu'.  '^fhe  fierce  Spaniard  and 
his  imnatient  troo})S  were  but  too  ready  to  afi'cj.t  tliis 
advice.     All  day  had  they  kept  their  stations  in  a  condi- 


if" 


HW\ 


Kv»^' 


i* 


^l 


■m 


o56 


INDIAN    llACES  OF  AMERICA. 


M 


tion  of  tho  most  trying  suspense,  ready  every  moment 
to  be  called  to  action.  The  appointed  signal  was  instantly 
given,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  discharge  from  the  falconets 
and  muskets,  the  wlujle  force  rushed  furiously  upon  the 
unarmed  crowd  of  natives.  Never,  in  the  history  of  the 
world,  was  a  more  bloodv  and  remorseless  massacre  com- 
mitted.  Tn  the  short  space  intervening  between  sunset 
and  darkness,  several  thousand  of  the  miserable  wretches 
were  slain  unresistingly.  In  vain  did  the  nobles  throng 
round  their  monarch,  with  noble  self-devotion  throwing 
away  their  lives  for  their  master,  and  opposing  their  bodies 
to  shield  him  from  the  weapons  Avhose  force  the\'  had  no 
means  to  avert,  '^fiie  unlia})py  prince  was  taken  prisoner, 
and  securely  coufmed  in  an  adjoining  building.  The 
Spaniards  were  greatly  struck  with  the  appearance  and 
noble  demeanor  of  their  nwal  captive.  lie  is  represented 
as  not  far  from  thirty  years  of  age,  of  a  well-built  and 
commanding  figure,  witli  regular  features  and  a  singular 
majesty  of  expression — "his  countenance  might  have  been 
called  handsome,  but  that  his  eyes,  which  were  blood-sliot, 
gave  a  fierce  expression  to  his  features." 

The  only  Spaniard  wounded  during  this  bloody  and 
horrible  transaction  was  Pizarro  himself,  who  received 
a  Avound  in  the  hand  from  one  of  his  own  men,  wdiile 
endeavoring  to  ward  off  a  blow  aimed  at  the  })crson  of 
the  Inca. 

Next  day  the  Indian  prisoners  were  set  at  work  to  bury 
the  heaps  of  their  slaughtered  companions,  and  detach- 
ments of  troops  were  sent  over  to  Atahuallpa's  former 
place  of  encampment.  These  returned  in  a  few  hours, 
driving  in  great  numbers  of  prisoners  of  both  sexes,  many 
of  the  women  being  those  belongimif  to  the  Inea's  house- 
hold.  The  Spaniards  reserved  Jis  many  slaves  as  their 
need  or  pride  required;  the  rest  of  the  prisoners  Avere  set 
free,  contrary  to  the  advice  of  some  in  the  army,  who 


SOUTH  AMERICAN  INDIANS. 


557 


were  strenuous  that  tliey  should  be  maimed  or  massacred. 
The  victors  were  now  at  liberty  to  plunder  at  will,  and 
their  extravagance  and  waste  bad  lull  scope.     '^J'lie  vast 
flocks  of  llamas,  so  long  the  pride  and  supjiort  oi'  the 
country,  and  over  which  such  a  systematic  and  v/atchl'ul 
care  had  been  exercised  for  ages,  were  slaughtered  with- 
out stint,  or  left  to  roam  necrlected  among  the  mountains, 
The  stores  of  beautiful  fabrics  of  wool  and  cotton,  with 
which  the  city  was  stored,  were  open  to  the  depredation 
of  all;  and  no  small  amount  of  plunder,  in  gold,  silver, 
and  emeralds,  was  secured  at  the  Peruvian  camp,  or  taken 
from  the  bodies  of  the  slain,  and  laid  by  for  future  division. 
'^J'hc  Inca  was,  meanwhile,  treated  with  a  certain  respect, 
but  his  person  Avas  most  carefully  guarded.     He  was  al- 
lowed the  services  of  his  attendants,  who,  throughout  his 
captivity,  sliowed   no  diminution   of  obsequiousness  and 
respect,  Init  bowed  as  Innnbly  before  their  revered  mon- 
arch in  his  fallen  fortunes,  as  when  he  sat  upon  his  throne 
of  sta+'?,  the  :irbiter  of  life  and  death  to  all  around  him. 

AtahualljKi  could  not  fail  to  perceive  what  was  the  mas- 
ter motive  to  all  acts  of  his  captors.  Appealing  to  this, 
he  })romiscd  Pizarro  that,  if  he  would  engage  to  set  him 
at  liberty,  the  floor  of  the  room  where  they  then  stood, 
should  be  covered  with  gold  for  his  ransom.  The  size  of 
the  apartment  is  variously  stated,  but  it  was  at  least  sev- 
enteen feet  broad,  and  twenty  or  thirty  in  length.  As  the 
Spaniards  appeared  to  look  upon  this  promise  as  an  idle 
boast,  the  Inca  raised  his  hand  against  the  wall,  and  added 
that  "he  woidd  not  merely  cover  the  floor,  but  would  fill 
the  room  with  gold  as  high  as  he  could  reach." 

Pizarro  accepted  the  oircr,-and  a  line  was  drawn  around 
the  room  at  the  agreed  height.  I'hc  gold,  whether  in  the 
form  of  bars  and  plates,  or  of  vases  and  staUiary,  was  to 
be  piled  without  being  broken  np  or  reduced  in  bulk. 
Besides  this  undertaking,  which  was  to  be  accomplished 


1 1 


1 1 


L. 


*...1ll 


558 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMEllICA. 


I 


I! 

!  i 


witliiii  t\'o  montliR,  a  smaller  room  was  to  be  filled  "twice 
full  of  silver,  in  like  manner."  Afcsseni^ers  were  immedi- 
ately  commissioned  to  order  gold  from  every  qnarter  of 
the  kingdom,  to  be  brought  as  speedily  as  possible  for  the 
raiisoui  of  the  monarch. 

Iluascar,  hearing,  in  his  place  of  confinement,  of  the 
rin'ersc  which  had  befallen  his  l)rother,  at  once  opened  a 
conunuuication  with  Pizarro,  and  made  offers  still  more 
magnificent  than  those  of  Atahnallpa,  if  the  Spaniards 
would  espouse  liis  cause.  Pizarro  expressed  his  determin- 
ation to  hear  the  claims  of  both  parties,  and  to  decide, 
from  the  evidence  that  should  be  adduced,  as  to  their 
respective  rights.  Huascar  was,  very  shortly  after  this, 
put  to  G'.  :th  by  his  keepers,  as  was  generally  believed,  in 
accordance  with  secret  instructions  from  Atahnallpa. 

Tlie  royal  mandate,  commanding  tlie  desecration  of  the 
nuignificent  temples  and  palaces,  by  stripping  them  of  their 
wealth  of  precious  metals,  was  obeyed  as  speeddy  as  prac- 
ticable. Gold  came  in  to  Caxamalca  in  large  quantities, 
but  the  difficulty  of  conveyance  caused  no  little  delay. 
While  waiting  the  completion  of  his  captive's  undertaking, 
i'izaiTO  sent  emissaries  to  Cuzco  to  examine  the  condi- 
tion and  wealth  of  the  country,  and  dispatched  his  brother 
.1  [ernando,  with  a  small  party  of  horsemen,  to  visit  the 
city  of  Pachacaraac,  three  hundred  miles  distant,  upon 
the  sea-coast.  Hernando  returned  to  Caxamalca  with  glow- 
ing reports  of  the  beauty  and  fertility  of  the  country 
through  which  he  had  passed  on  this  expedition.  He  had 
visited  the  city  for  which  he  had  directed  his  course,  and 
had  destroyed  the  great  idol  upon  the  temj)le,  the  former 
object  of  worship  to  the  inhabitants,  and  which  had  been 
allowed  to  maintain  its  place  by  the  Peruvian  conquerors, 
and  to  receive  joint  homage  with  the  sun.  Tn  crossing  the 
rocky  and  rugged  mountains,  the  shoes  of  the  horses  gave 
out,  and,  as  no  iron  Avas  to  be  procured,  it  w;is  necessary 


I! 


1 


I  ! 


!l 


.1UTH  AMERICAN  INDIANS. 


559 


to  replace  tliem  wi'l,    -Ivcrl  or,  as  some  say,  with  a  mix- 
ture of  silver  and  copper. 

Ilei'iiando  brouglit  back  with  him  Cluillcuchima,  a  vet- 
eran ofllcer  of  the  Inca's,  and  tlie  most  esteemed  and  trust- 
worthy of  his  generals,  lie  voluntarily  accompanied  tlie 
Spanish  cavalcade,  having  been  told  by  its  leader  tliat  hij 
monarch  desired  to  sec  him.  When  the  o]d  soldier  came 
into  his  master's  presence,  (barefoot,  and  ijarryiug,  accord- 
ing to  custom,  a  small  burden,  in  token  of  inferiority,)  he 
lamented  audibly  that  he  had  been  absent  at  the  time  of 
his  capture;  and,  weeping  bitterly,  kis-;ed  the  liands  and 
feet  of  tlie  fallen  prince.  Atahuallpa  preserved  the  calm, 
unbending  dignity  which  he  ever  assumed  in  communica 
tions  with  his  subjects. 

The  messengers  sent  to  Cuzco  demeaned  themselves 
with  the  utmost  pride  and  insolence.  The  whole  of  the 
long  journey  was  accomplished  in  litters  or  sedan-chairs, 
borne  by  the  natives.  At  the  royal  city  these  emissaries 
superintended  the  stripping  of  the  great  temple  of  its 
golden  plates  and  ornaments,  of  which  a  vast  weight  was 
prepared  for  transportation  to  Caxamalca. 

At  the  latter  place  of  encampment,  the  Spanish  army 
was  very  considerably  nMnforced  in  the  succeeding  month 
of  February,  (looo,)  by  the  arrival  of  Pizarro's  old  com- 
rade Almagro.  He  brought  with  him,  from  the  Spanish 
settlements  on  the  Isthmus,  two  hundred  well-armed  sol- 
diers, fifty  of  whom  were  cavalry.  Thus  recruited,  Pi- 
zarro  was  eager  to  extend  his  conquests  and  acquisitions. 
The  ])romises  of  the  Inca  were  not,  as  yet,  wholly  falfilled, 
although  such  piles  of  treasure  were  accumulated  as  might 
well  astonish  and  satisfy  even  the  eyes  of  the  rapacious 
Spaniards.  The  beauty  and  finish  of  many  of  the  mas- 
sive vases  and  figures  were  long  after  admired  by  the 
artists  of  Europe.  Among  the  representations  of  natural 
objects  wrought  in  the  precious  metals,  was  the  car  of 


,**r- 


'Isi 


I  \ 


560 


INDIAN   HACKS  OF  AMEIilCA. 


nuiizc.  Of  tliis,  tlie  leaves  and  tassel  wore  perfectly  imi 
tateJ  in  silver  work,  the  yellow  kernel  witliin  glistening 
willi  the  purest  gold. 

It  was  dctei'mined  to  acquit  the  Inca  of  any  further  ful- 
filment of  his  promise,  but  to  retain  him  a  prisoner,  and 
at  onec  to  l>re:ik  up  and  divide  the  treasure.  Some  of  the 
more  beautiful  specimens  of  art  were  reserved  to  be  sent  to 
Spain;  the  rest  was  melted  into  ingots  by  the  native  arti- 
sans. "The  total  amount  of  the  gold,"  as  stated  and  com- 
puted by  Mr.  Prescott,  "was  found  to  be  one  million,  three 
hundred  and  t',venty-six  thousand,  five  hundred  and  thirty- 
nine  yx.so.^'  cic  oro,  which,  allowing  for  the  greater  value  of 
money  in  the  sixteenth  century,  would  be  equivalent, 
probably,  at  the  present  time,  to  near  Ihrce  millions  and  a 
half  nf  pounds  slerliiKj,  or  somewhat  less  than  Jifteoi  millions 
ai'.d  a  h(df  of  dollars.  The  quantit}^  of  silver  was  esti- 
mated at  fifty-one  thousand  six.  liundred  and  ten  marks." 
The  gold,  as  above  estimated,  is,  indeed,  more  than  thrice 
the  sum  that  the  same  weight  of  the  precious  metal  would 
be  worth  at  the  present  day.  The  2^^so  de  oro  is  said  to 
have  been,  specifically,  about  equal  to  three  dollars  and 
seven  cents. 

Of  all  this  booty,  the  crown  had  its  fifth,  and  the  rest 
was  distributed  in  various  proportions  among  the  numer- 
ous claimants.  But  a  small  allowance  was  made  to  the 
new  recruits,  and  still  less  to  the  settlers  at  San  Miguel. 
Certain  sums  were  devoted  to  the  establishment  of  the 
Catholic  religion  in  the  new  country. 

Ilaving  now  obtained  all  that  was  to  be  expected 
througli  the  Inca's  intei'vention,  at  least  without  such  de- 
lays as  their  impatient  spirits  could  not  brook,  tlie  unprin- 
cipled horde  of  freebooters  whose  proceedings  we  arc  now 
recording,  determined  to  rid  themselves  of  a  captive  who 
had  become  an  incumbrance. 

'l.^he  ridiculous  farce  of  a  trial  wius   gone  thi'ough,  at 


^ctlj  imi 
glistening 

I'tlicr  ful- 
)ner,  and 
ne  of  the 

)c  sent  to 
tive  arti- 
:ind  com- 
on,  three 
d  thirty- 
value  of  j 
-livalent,  j 
^is  and  a    '' 

miiUons    j 
»^as  esti- 
marks."    j 
n  thi-ice    i 
l1  would    j 

said  to    ' 
ars  and    I 

I 
I 

the  rest  j 

numer-  j 

to  the  i 

^figuel.  j 

of  the  I 

v'peeted 
ucli  de- 
unprin-    j 
I'G  now 
ve  who 

igh,  at 


.liJ 


a. 


I 


SOUTH  AMERICAN   INDIANS. 


OGI 


wliicli  .sueli  nconsutions  ns  llio  following  wore  made,  aii'l 
pretoiided  to  be  sustuined:  He  luid  been  guilty  of  polyga 
my;  of  "squanderiiig  the  publie's  revenues  sineo  tiid 
conquest;"  of  idolatry  [I];  (;f  the  murder  of  liis  brotlicr 
Tluascar;  and  of  striving  to  exeite  a  rebellion  against  the 
.Spanish  authorities!  Tliis  last  ehargc,  the  only  one 
brought  before  the  self-constituted  court  which  is  worthy 
of  comment,  was  utterly  unsustained.  The  country  was 
perfectly  ([nirt,  and  even  the  ingenuity  of  the  prejudi(!cd 
judges  luilcil  to  connect  tlie  royal  captive  with  any  atteni))t 
at  insurrection.  It  is  ^^aid  that  the  malice  of  the  interpre- 
ter Feli[»illo  induced  him  to  distort  the  testimony  adduced. 
This  fellow  had  been  engaged,  as  if:  said,  in  a^  intrigue 
with  one  of  the  Inca's  women.  The  uscfuhu  s  ^  the 
interpreter  protected  him  from  punishment,  Vit  t  (Ex- 
pressed indignation  of  the  prince,  excited  tl  ■  p^  rmanent 
rancour  and  ill-will  of  his  inferior. 

The  unhappy  Atahuallpa  was  sentenced  '■o  be  burned 
alive  in  the  public  square  that  very  nigh  '>7hen  his 
doom  was  made  known  to  him,  he  at  first  resorted  to 
every  entreaty  and  expostulation  to  move  his  murderers 
from  their  diabolical  purpose.  With  tears  he  reminded 
Pi/arro  of  the  treasures  he  had  lavished  on  the  S})aniards, 
and  the  good  faith  which  he  had  always  shown,  and  ju'omised 
a  ransom  llir  greater  than  that  before  brought  in,  if  he  could 
but  have  time  to  procure  it,  and  if  his  life  were  spared. 
Seeing  that  entreaties  and  supplications  availed  nothing, 
the  dignity  and  firm  spirit  of  endurance  of  the  monarch 
returned,  and  he  calmly  awaited  his  terrible  flite.  By  the 
light  of  torches  he  was  brought  out  and  chained  to  the 
stake,  and,  at  the  last  moment,  submitted  to  the  disgrace- 
ful mockerv  of  an  administration  of  the  sacraments,  and 
a  formal  profession  of  Christianity,  that  a  speedier  form  of 
death  might  be  awarded  him.  He  perished  by  the  infa 
mous  garotte. 
SB 


I , 


h 


1 1 


1 1 


li 


h 


■4 


r  J 


.( 'i;- 


i  ' 


m^r 


■Ail 


■  i  'i 


502 


INDIAX  HACKS  OF  AMKKIOA. 


HtTiiniido  do  Solo,  !i  iiKiti  wlio,  wilhtlu!  fiiults  of  liirt  age 
niid  nation,  was  vastly  snpi'i'ior  to  tlu;  inorciless  villains 
with  will  Mil  he  was  assi)ciat('d,  was  absent  at  tin;  time  of 
this  transaction,  and  on  his  rctniMi  condcnuHHl  tin'  pro- 
ceeding; in  strong  terms.  A  small  pi'oportion  of  the  compa- 
ny thought,  the  same  with  Do  Soto,  concerning  the  innrcUir, 
bnt:  liy  liir  the  greater  nund)erwero  but  too  glad  to  bi;  rid 
of  a  troid)lesome  eaj)tive,  to  trouble  tliemselves  about  the 
means  ol'  aceom])lishing  their  [)ur})oso.  'I'hosc  chii-lly  con- 
cerned, lelt  sulliciently  tin;  disgi'a(!c  attendant  upon  their  i  j 
uets,  to  endeavor  to  shift  tlu;  responsibility  upon  each  other.     \  \ 


In  "  I'urchas,  his  I'ilgrimage,"  is  the  following  summary 


of  tl 


u-  cud   of  tin 


huall} 


)a: 


Ih 


ii'iheipal  aii'eiits   in  the  mui'der  of  Ata- 


)wneit  they  kille(l  juni  not witlisiaiiding,  ani 


1 


m  a  nin'ht  stran 


le( 


I  1 


inn. 


liut  ( 


jO(| 


the 


•iglitcous  .1  nilge, 


seeing  this  villainous  act,  sull'ered  none  of  those  Spaniards 
to  die  by  the  course  of  iS'ature,  but  brought  them  to  cuill 
and  shameful!  ends.   *  *  vMmagi'o  was  executed  by  Piear- 


ro,  and   he  si; 


une 


bv  V 


OULT 


Al 


mauro 


an( 


I  1 


iim 


\ 


iet;a  (ic 


V 


Casti'adid  likewise  put  to  death.     .K)hii  i'icarro  was  slaine 

of  th 

si; 


iniiaiis. 


Martin,  an  other  of  the.   Urelhi'tMi,  was 


line   Willi 


f 


aneis. 


''eidiiiaiidiis    was    iiiipi'isoin'( 


d 


HI 


Spaine  i\.  his  end  viiknowiie;   (ioii/altVi  was  done  to  death 
by  Cbisea.     Soto  died  of  thought  in   floritla;  and  ciuill 


warres  e 


ale  v{i 


)  tuc  rest 


1 


eru. 


A  condition  of  anarchy  and  intci^tino  disturbance  °uo- 
ceedenl  the  death  of  the  Inea,  and  the  rude  shock  given 
by  the  S])anisli  invasion  to  the  old  system  of  aii)iti-ary, 
but  l\\ci\  and  unehanaeable  laws.  Seeinui;  the  value  at- 
tached  to  the  precious  metals,  the  natives  in  many  insttuiecs 
followed  the  example  of  the  conquc'rors  in  ])lundering  and 
destroying  the  jniblic  edifices  of  their  own  country.  I'he 
quantity  of  gold  and  silver  conveyed  away  and  concealed 
for  ever  from  the  covetous  eyes  of  the  Europeans  was  said 
to  have  inlinitely  surpassed  that  which  they  bad  secured 


'  I 


^ 


I  : 


M 


h'xA  age 
villiiins 
tiino  of 
he  pro- 
compiv 
imirdor, 
I)  he.  rid 
)()Ut  llio 
■  lly  con- 
i)U  their 
■li  olhcr. 
iiiniiKii'y 
•  of  AUi- 
lin-j,-,  iuul 
IS  ,l^nl.^'l', 
>p;iiiiiirds 
I  to  (Miill  • 
|by  riijiu'- 
Vacciv  do 
IS  slainc 
•(Ml,  was 
)iifd    ill 
to  d>!ath 
id  ciuill 


ncc  "'ic- 
•k  given 
ibitrary, 
valne  at- 
iiistanees 
n<''  and 
ry.  "  The 
oncealed 
was  said 
secured 


1 1 

l! 


I  I 


t  i 


! 


SOUTH  AMKKICAN   INDIANS. 


na 


Ci'S 


ciiai'ti:k  v. 

MAIiClI  TOWAHnS  CUZCO — OlM'OSITION  ^>l'  Till;   NATIVDS — DKATII   ()l» 

TnPAIfCA,  ANDMUIIMKI!  ftl'  (11 A  M.CIMIIIM  A .M  AN(()  CA  I'AC — ENTIIY 

l.NTO  TIIKCAl'ITAI, IIOOTV  OUTAIMCU — KSCAl'IC  OF  MANCO,  AND 

(iKNKiiAr,  iNsn{i!i:t"rif)\ — siiuiK  orcr/co — UKvrcusr.snr  thk 

SI'ANIAUDS — civil,  WAUS — I'l'liTIIKl!  IIOSTI  I.ITIKS  Ol'  MANCO 

<:AI'A(; ("UL'Kl.TliKATMKNTOF  TIIK  NATIVKS DKATII  OF 

MANCO  CAI'AC — KKI'OUMS  CNDKIl   I'KDHO   DK   I,A  (iAS- 

CA — TUl'AC     AINIAHir — INSirilliKCTION     Ol'"   17HI 

rilKSKNTCONDITIOiN  OKTIIK  I'KKUVIAN  INDIANS. 

riZAiiuo  now  dechircd  the  sovereignty  of  Peru  to  bo 
vested  in  a  brother  of  Atahnalipa  nan\ed  Toparco,  and  the 
ceremony  of  coronation  was  duly  perl()rn>ed.  1^'urtlier 
stay  at  Caxumalca  was  deemed  nnadvisable,  and,  with  tiie 
new  Inea  in  company,  thcSp.'o.ish  army  j)ushed  on  towards 
the  ancient  capital  of  Peru,  over  the  magnificent  road  of 
the  Incas.  The  ascent  of  tlie  mountain  ridges  was,  indeed, 
arcbioiis  and  perilous,  as  the  road  was  intended  only  for 
foot  i)assengers  and  the  agile  Peruvian  shcej)  or  "camel," 
as  the  animal  was  designated  by  early  writers.  As  in 
former  progresses,  the  granaries  and  halting-places  ]ire- 
])ar('d  for  the  royal  armies  sup[)lied  abundant  food  and 
shelter. 

'^riic  first  attempt  upon  the  part  of  the  natives  to  arrest 
the  })rogress  of  the  cavalcade,  was  at  Xauxa,  where  tliey 
collected  to  oppose  the  passage  of  a  considerable  stream. 
]{esistancc  proved  unavailing:  the  cavalry  dashed  through 
tlu^  river,  and  dispersed  the  crowd.  Pizarro  encamped  at 
Xauxa,  and  commissioned  Do  Soto,  with  sixty  mounted 
men,  to  go  forward,  and  sec  that  all  was  safe  foi^  a  further 
advance.  As  that  cavalier  approached  Cuzco,  after  cross- 
ing the  Apurimac,  a  tributary  of  the  Amazon,  his  com 
mand  was  Ijeset  by  a  hostile  force  of  Tndians  among  the 


H 


» ' 


m 


I'l 


il' 


•  r 


504 


INDIAN  HACKS  OK  AMKIiU'A. 


I  ' 
I  I 


il 


M 


(l;ui<^orou.s  pusses  of  tlio  iiiountaiii  wliirli  he  must  cross  to 
rciiuh  the  (JMpitiil.  IJy  su[u'rliiiiii;ui  etl'orls,  tlie  little  party 
niana<^e(l  to  force  ix  way  against  the  enemy  until  an  rle- 
vated  plateau  \Viia  gained,  where  there  was  mom  lor  the 
movements  ol'  tlie  horses.  The  natives,  becoming  more 
liuniliar  with  the  arms  and  moile  oi'  lighting  adopted  l»y 
till!  Spaniards,  lought  with  their  natural  courage  and  reso- 
lution, but  could  accomplish  little  after  the  cavalry  had 
attained  an  advantageous  j)osition. 

During  the  night,  De  Soto  and  his  men  were  ghuhK-ncd 
by  tlio  arrival  of  Almagro  ujion  tlic  lield,  with  most  of  tlie 
cavalry  left  at  Xauxa.  J'i/arro  had  i-eceived  a(U  ic(;s  of 
the  danger  to  which  his  advance  was  exposed,  :iiid 
])romptly  forwarded  assistance.  'l\\c.  whole  S})anish  force 
finally  assembled  at  Xacpiixaguana,  but  a  few  miles  (h^m 
Cuzco.  In  this  delightlul  valley,  a  favorite  resort  of 
the  I  Ilea  nobility,  whose  country-seats  were  every  wher,. 
scattered  over  its  surface,  the  army  encamped  for  rest  and 
refreshment.  At  this  place  various  charges  were  brought 
up  against  the  noble  old  wurrior,  Challcuchima.  The 
uew  liica,  'J\>parcn,  had  died  during  the  halt  at  Xauxa, 
and  it  was  thought  convenient  to  attribute  his  death,  Jis 
well  as  the  recent  hostile  movenients,  to  the  machinations 
of  this  dangerous  prisoner.  He  was  tried,  condemned, 
and  burned  alive — the  usual  method  of  execution  adopted 
by  the  Spaniards  in  the  case  of  an  Indian  victim.  It  is  to 
be  trusted  that  another  generation  will  look  upon  the  bar- 
barities still  persisted  in  among  the  most  enlightened 
nations  of  the  present  age,  with  the  same  sensations  that 
are  now  aroused  by  the  remembrance  of  the  cruelties  so 
universal  in  former  times. 

A  new  elainumt  to  the  throne  of  the  Incns  had  now 
arisen  in  the  person  of  Manco  C'apae,  a  brother  of  the  ill- 

rincc. 


pr 


sph 


came  boldly  to  the  Spanish  camp,  explained  the  grounds 


.''* 


:--q 


I  I 


cross  to 
.Ic  party 

I  lor  iho 

llj^    lliol'i', 

)j)UmI  l>y 
:uitl  ivso- 
airy  luul 

huldciKMl 
3st  of  llio 
d vices  ol' 
sod,    ami 
iiish  lorc'O 
lilos  iVoiii 
rosorl  of 
M-y  wlior.. 
^'  rest  and 
brought 
a.     'riio 
Xauxu, 
death,  iifl 
liiKitious 
idemucd, 
adopted 
It  is  to 
the  bar- 
ightened 
ions  that 
lelties  so 

had  now 

)!'  the  ill- 
;i1t  elided, 
Ltrounda 


SOUTH   AMKUIOAN   INDIANS. 


505 


of  his  elaitn,  and  ri''iucstt;d  the  aid  of  I'lzurro  in  c.stahliHli- 
ing  his  lights.  TIk!  general  reeeivcd  him  kindly,  uiid 
sei'ined  to'aeeede  to  the  proposal.  In  conipuny  with  thin 
new  ally,  alter  (Hie  nutre  unimportant  skirmish,  tlu;  Span- 
iards entered  (Ju/eo,  on  t)r  about  the  IHth  of  Novemlier, 
loJiu.  They  were  delighted  with  the  extcuit  and  inagnili- 
cenee  (»!'  tlie  city,  and  the  liveliness  and  gaycty  of  its 
inhabitants. 

'J'eniples,  public  ediliees,  roy.il  jialaces,  and  places  oC 
sepulture,  wei'o  every  where  laiisacked  in  seart^h  of  gold, 
but  orders  had  been  given  by  Pi/arro  that  private  property 
yliouhl  be  respected.  'I'he  rapacious  plunderers  were  dis- 
satislied  with  the  amount  ol' treasure  discovered,  although 
no  eoiKpiest  in  tlie  history  of  the  world  was  over  rewarded 
by  siicli  a('(pusitions  ol"  the  precious  metals,  and  proccicded 
to  suliji'ct  some  of  tlu;  natives  to  the  torture,  to  compel  a 
disclosure  of  their  secret  ])laees  of'dcjiosit. 

"Ill  a  cavern  near  the  city,"  says  Treseott,  "they  found 
a  nnmbt-r  (jf  vases  of  pure  gold,  richly  embossed  with  the 
ligures  of  serpents,  locusts,  and  other  animals.  Among 
the  spoil  were  lour  golden  llamas,  and  ir\i  or  twelve 
statues  of  women,  some  of  gold,  others  of  silver,  'which 
juerely  to  see,'  says  one  of  the  conquerors,  wilh  some 
'ii(i'icd'.\  '  was  truly  a  great  satisfaction.'"  Upon  the  march, 
no  small  amount  of  booty  had  been  secured:  "In  one 
})haH',  for  example,  the)'  met  with  ten  planks  or  bars  of 
solid  silver,  each  piece  being  twenty  feet  in  length,  one 
foot  in  Iji'eadtii,  and  two  or  three  inches  thick." 

Maiieo  Capae  was  solemnly  crowned  at  Cuzco,  by 
I'izarro,  who,  with  his  own  hand,  pr(,\sentcd  the  im})erial 
badge,  the  "  borla"  or  red  scarf  for  the  forehead.  The  con- 
quero!  iri'anged  a  system  (if  government  for  the  eit.y,  giving 
his  brothers  Uon/alo  and  .luan  the  princijial  authority. 
The  iiati\  's  seemed  to  ac<]uiesce  readily  in  the  new  regu- 
lations, and  joined  hilariously  in  the  festivities  of  the  time. 


ij 


;  I 


I  I 


i  I 


I  1 
i  ! 


I  i 


n: 


^1 


•■;J 


-r_:j 


4 
1 


566 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


Pizarrc  r.ow  bctliouglit  liiinscirof  establisliing  v,  capital 
for  the  new  country  in  a  more  convenient  location  than 
either  Cuzco  or  (^uito,  and  in  January,  1535,  the  founda- 
tions of  the  city  of  Lima  were  laid.  Hernando  Pizarro 
had  been  previously  sent  io  Spain,  with  substantial  speci- 
mens of  the  newly-acquired  ti-easures.  His  appearance  at 
court,  and  his  details  of  strange  adventure,  excited  an  un- 
precedented enthusiasm  and  astonishment.  Large  addi- 
tional emoluments  and  authorities  were  conferred  upon 
tlie  principal  actors  in  the  conquest ;  and  Hernando  returned 
to  America,  accompanied  by  numerous  adventurers  eager 
for  fame  and  fortune  in  the  new  world.  Almagro  received, 
by  royal  grant,  authority  to  conquer  and  possess  an  im- 
mense district,  southward  of  Peru;  and  thither  he  took  up 
his  march,  after  a  long  series  of  bickerings  and  quarrels  with 
Juan  and  Gonzalo,  rcs])ecting  conflicting  claims  at  Cuzco. 

The  comiuerors  of  the  empire  of  the  Incas  became  care- 
less and  secure:  they  little  dreamed  that  there  yet  existed 
a  warlike  and  determined  spirit  among  the  down-trodden 
natives,  fated  soon  to  raise  a  storm  on  every  side,  which 
not  even  Si)anish  valor  and  doiro:ed  determination  could 
readily  allay. 

The  young  Inca,  ALanco  Capac,  indignant,  at  the  conduct 
of  the  rulers  at  Cuzco,  and  disgusted  with  the  shadow  of 
authority  whicli  he  was  himself  allowed  to  exercise,  made 
his  escape  from  the  surveillance  of  the  Pizarros,  and,  rous- 
ing the  whole  country  to  arms,  intrenched  himself  be\ond 
the  Yucay.  Juan  Pizarro  in  vain  undertook  his  recapture. 
With  a  small  body  of  cavalry,  he  did,  indeed,  gain  a  tem- 
porary advantage,  but  the  effect  of  superstitious  fears  no 
longer  operated  to  dismay  the  Indian  warriors,  and  it  was 
only  by  virtue  of  hard  knocks,  and  by  actual  superiority 
in  skill,  weapons,  end  endurance,  that  they  could  be  con- 
quered, '^^riie  numbers  of  the  enemy  were  so  great,  and  so 
fast  increasing,  that  Juan  was  obliged,  in  a  few  days,  to 


W' 


capital 

)U  than 
founda- 
rizarro 
il  npeci- 
rancc  at 
1  an  un- 
^c  addl- 
ed 11 1)011 

returned 
3rs  eager 
received, 
3  an  im- 
!  took  n}) 
rrcls  witli 
at  Cuzco. 
imc  care- 
it  existed 
i-troddcn 
0,  wliieli 
on  could 


p  conduct 
iiadow  of 
jiso,  made 
|ind,  rous- 
Ifbevond 
[■eca})ture. 
lin  a  tem- 
Icars  no 
liid  it  wa8 
iperiority 
li  be  con- 
|at,  and  so 
days,  to 


SOUTH  AMEIUCAX  INDIANS. 


507 


1 1 


i  I 


return  to  Cujcco,  wliicli,  as  lie  was  informed  by  a  mes- 
Benofcr,  was  now  bcsieu'cd  1)V  tlic  Indians  in  still  more 
overwhelming  force. 

In  the  cleirant  langnaw  of  ^Fr.  Prescott:  " The  ext(Misivc 
environs,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  were  occui>i('d  by 
a  mighty  host,  which  an  indefinite  computation  swell. d  to 
the  number  of  two    hundrc^d   thousand   warriors.      The 
dusky  lines  of  the   rndian  battalions  stretched  out  to  the 
verv  verii'e  oC  the  mountains:   while,  all  around,  tlie  eve 
saw  only  the   crests  and   waving  banners   of  chieftains, 
mingled  with  rich  panoplies   of  feather-work,   which   re- 
minded some  few  who   had  served  under  Co]'t(\s  of  the 
military  costume  of  the  Aztecs.     Alx^ve  all  rose  a  f  )rcst 
of  long  lances  and  battle-axes  edged  with  co[)per,  which, 
tossed  to  and  fro  in  wild  confusion,  olistened  in  tlie  ravs 
"  of  the  setting  sun,  like  light  |)layiiig  on  the  surface  of  a 
dark  and  troubled  ocean.     It  was  tlu'  first  time  that  the 
Spaniards  had  beheld  an  Indian  army  in  all  ils  tci-i'ors; 
Ij    such  an  army  as  the  TiK'as  led  to  battle,  wIumi  the  b;inner 
j !    of  the  Sun  was  borne  triumphant  over  the  land." 
i  i         It  is  almost  inconceivable  that  such  a  handful  of  men 
!  i    as  were  gathered  within  the  eity-walls,  should  have  been 
able  to  repel  the  Ii)rc6  now  gathered  about  them,  and  to 
maintain  their  position   until   the  enemy,   wearied  witli 
hopeless  encounters,  and  sulVcring  from  want  of  pi'ovision, 
should  be  obliged  1o  draw  olf. 

The  buildings  of  Cuzeo  were  nearly  all  covered  with  a 
neatly  arranged  thatch,  and  this  the  assailants  easily  ig- 
nited by  means  of  bunring  arrows,  'i'he  whole  city  was 
wra})t  in  flames,  and  the  Spaniai'ds,  encamped  in  the  great 
plaza,  nearly  perished  irom  the  heat  and  smok(\  When 
the  flames  subsided,  al'ter  several  days  of  terrible  confla- 
gration, one  half  of  the  })roud  capital  was  a  hca}>  of  ruins. 
Fierce  l^attles  and  desj)erate  hand-to-hand  encounters 
succeeded:  the  Spaniards,  with  their  accustomed  bravery, 


I ' 


il 


■:'J 


i 


if! 
if  if 


'^m 

m 


-.4 


,4 


OltO- 


INDFAN  ]:ACKS  OF  AMERICA. 


again  mihI  •A<.r.\\\\  cliarucd  the  enemy  in  tlic  field,  but  tlieir 
numbers  \wre  so  <ji'rat,  tliat  success  in  these  skirmishes 
was  eventuallv  usi^lcss.  ^IMic  sallies  from  the  city  were 
met  and  resisted  with  the  most  determined  valor.  As  at 
the  siege  of  Nfexit-o,  the  Indians  seemed  to  be  careless  of 
their  own  loss,  so  long  as  they  could  lessen  the  nuird)ers 
of  the  wliitf^s,  in  howi^vcr  inferior  degrees.  They  no  longer 
fled  in  teri'oi'  at  tlic  aj)proach  of  the  horse.  They  had  even 
avaiUnl  lli(>niselves  of  such  of  these  nseful  animals  as  fell 
into  tiu  !i  hands.  Several  of  them  were  seen  mounted, 
and  tlu>  Inca  himself,  "accoutred  in  the  European  fashion, 
rode  a  wai'-horse  which  he  managed  with  eonsideiable 
address,  and,  with  a  lor.g  lance  in  his  hand,  led  on  his  fol- 
ic »vers  to  the  attack."  There  are  bounds  to  the  physical 
endurance  of  man  and  beast,  and  the  Spaniards  were 
obliged  to  submit  to  the  siege,  and  to  wait  until  assistance 
should  arrive  from  without,  or  until  the  eiuMuy  should  be 
weary  of  keeping  watch  upon  them.  ^JMie  greatest  annoy- 
ance was  in  the  possession,  by  the  Indians,  of  the  great 
f'oi'tress,  from  the  high  towcMs  of  which  their  missiles  were 
hurled  with  deadly  effect  upon  all  within  rc^ach. 

It  was  determined  to  storm  this  intreiichment,  and  the 
sor\'ice  wns  most  ijallaiitly  ]'(i  fornied.  .(nan  I'i/.ai'i'o,  a 
cavalier  sjioken  of  as  supei'ioi-  to  either  of  his  brothei's  in 
iiumanity,  lost  his  life  in  its  accomplishment.  'I'he  Peru- 
vian commander,  after  defending  his  post  in  person,  with  the 
most  desperate  valor,  scorning  to  be  taken  prisoner,  threw 
himself  headlong  from  the  highest  tower,  and  p^'risiied. 

The  siege,  wliich  had  commenced  in  the  spi'ing,  contin- 
ued until  August,  wluMi,  after  months  of  anxiety  and 
snfl'cring,  the  little  baml  of  S[)aniards  wei'c  I'cjoiecd  lo  see 
the  Inca's  forces  taking  their  departure.  They  had  been 
dismissed  by  their  leader  to  go  home  and  attend  to  the 
necessary  duties  of  husbandry.  Maneo  inti'enched  him- 
sell'at  ^l'and>o,  south  of  the  Yucay. 


i 

'■if 

M 

t  tlieir 
niislies 
y  were 

As  ut 

MOSS  of 
ambers 

longer 
id  even 
i  as  fell 
ounted, 
fashlou, 
derable 

l.isfol- 
ihysieal 
Is  wore 
;sistaiiee 
loiikl  be 
■1  annoy- 
grcat 

es  were 


I 


(1  tlie 
an-o,  a 
KM's  in    I 

rem-    I 
•ithtlio 

thi'cw 
le.l. 

coiitin- 

y   and 

I  to  see 

d  been 

to  the 
d  L'un- 


SOUTU  AMERICAN  INDIANS. 


m 


Tl 


10  rismji:  among 


th(  1' 


Vruvians  was  v.^ry  ext<Misive  an< 


1 


well   coiu'C 


I'ted.     (ii'cat  nnnibci's  of  dctaclicd  |ilaii1at'H)iia 


and  scttU'inents  were  desti'oyed,  and  tl 


j^"j 


icir 


naiiisli   occii- 


})ants  slain.     Ti/an'o  :nadi.' S(n'ei'al  iiu^lTcctual  a1tcnij)ts  to 


send  reliisf  to  tlie  irairison   at  Cm 


/.!•(-,  wliieli  onl\-  I'csn 


Itcd 


in  heavy  loss  to  his  own  |)i'<>|ile.  A  general  Urling  of 
gloom,  apprehension,  an(l  disconlcMt  pievailed,  and  not  a 
few  til'  llie  settlers,  at  lama  and  I'lsewhere,  wlto  anxious 
to  abandon  tlu'  eoniitry. 

I  '[»()ii  the  r(M,nni  ol'  Aln 
ditioii  to  Chili,  and  his  sei/nru  of  Cn/.co,  he  sueci'cdcd   in 


la'jTo  ii'oni   his  ( 


lisasti 


•oils    CXIX! 


(lri\  iii'j' 


the  1 


Ilea  li'oin 


Taliib 


>  into  ihc  iiiounliuns,  w  here  he 


sough  1  out  a  solitary  plaee  of  eonccalii  Kilt  until  ojipoitunity 


shoidd  oflrr  for  au'ain  arousiiiL!;  1 


lis 


peoi 


)lc: 


to  rcs'stai 


lee. 


In  the  desolating  eivil  wars  which  ensncil  among  the 
ri\al  Spanish  claimants  of  tlu;  country,  the  lights  and 
prosperity  of  the  native  inhabitants  were  uttei'ly  disre- 
garded, 'fhey  were  unseru|)ulously  enslaved  and  mal- 
treated  wluM-cNcr  the  power  of  the  Spaniards  exteiide<b 


In  the  d 


istrac 


t.Ml 


sl;iU^  ol 


the  eountrv,   the 


auaiii 


renewed  his  elVorts  at  resistance  to  h 


young"  I  Ilea 


lis  suhlecls   ()]) 


j)ressors.  Sallying  from  tinu^  to  time  from  an  encampment 
among  the  mountains,  between  Cu;^co  and  tlu.'  sea-coast,  he 
did  no  littl(>  injury  to  the  Spanish  setdements,  and  rendered 
1ra\'eHing  uiisaCe,  except  in  large  and  ^vell-arnle(l  coni- 
})anies.  Although  frequently  defated  by  Pizarj-o's  troops, 
he  would  only  retire  to  medif.'ite  fresh  attacks,  and  the 
Spanish  commamler  linally  thought  it  advisable  to  ojaii  a 


ncuotiatioii  wi 


th  1 


iim. 


A  iiieetimj-  was   aceort 


liii'.d 


V    aii- 


poiiitcMJ   in  the  \alley  of  the  Yucay.  but  the  attempt.-^  at 

I     ])acitication  were  ren(hM'(ul  al)oi'tive  liy  mutual  outrages. 

A  nc'jro  messeiiLi'er,  S(Mit  bv   Pizurro  to  the   Inca  with  a 


as  robbed  and   n 


1  b 


iiirilercii   ii\-  vom 


jiropitiatoiy  olfering,  w 

of  the  natives.     The  Spanish  commander  chose  to  att  rilnite 

the  act  to  Maiiec^'s  oi'ders,  and  proci.'ciled  to  retaliate  by 


1 1 


m 
■If 


I 


11 
'Jil 


■  !>• 


llr'J 


'  II 


570 


INDIAN  RACKS  OF  A^rI•:PJ^"A, 


tiio  d.'iptardly  and  cruel  nuirdor  of  a  3'oung  and  i  ■■  aiinu 
T.ili'  ol'  *ho  Inea,  -wlio  was  a  pvisoner  in  liis  ]*('V/er  Siif? 
was  stripped  naked,  beaten,  and  afterwards  sliot  wiili 
arrows.  This  crueltv  was  endured,  ou  tlie  ])ai't  of  the 
victim,  with  true  Indian  fortitude.  AVhat  a  stranac  con- 
tradiction it  appears,  that  a  mau  like  tliis,  with  hi.-  d\in^t.' 
li|)S  (he  was  assassiriated  in  1541)  should  have  ])ron(iuiiced 
the  name  of  irim  whose  whole  teaching  and  example 
breathed  the  s])i]'it  of  gentleness  and  m(>rcy,  and  that  his 
last  effort  should  have  beeu  to  kiss  the  figure  of  the  cross, 
di'awu  b_y  his  fmgcr,  iii  his  on'u  blood,  npon  the  floor. 

As  the  Spanish  population  of  the  coimtrj  increased,  the 
condition  of  the  Indians  became  more  and  more  wi'ctehed 
and  deplorable.  The  old  scenes  at  the  West  India  Islands 
were  recnacted,  and  the  brutal  populace  seemed  to  uiako 
cruelty  and  wanton  outrage  a  luattcr  of  emnlatiou.  It 
was  not  enough  to  enslave  the  helpless  natives,  and  lo 
compel  them  upon  insuflu'ient  nourishment,  and  scai)ti\v 
clothed,  to  undergo  the  killing  labors  of  the  mine^  ami 
])lantations;  but  the  most  cajn-icions  outrages  were  v,yvv\ 
where  committed.  The}'  Avcrc  hunted  with  dou's,  for 
the  sake  of  sport;  all  that  they  esteemed  sacred  was 
desecrateil ;  theii'  women  were  violated  in  the  luost. 
shameless  manner;  and  cruel  tortures  and  death  awaiteti 
him  who  should  resist  the  oppressor,  or  invade  his  rights 
r)f  property! 

One  of  the  most  notoriou'-'  ab'  .■'s  in  tlie  system  of 
Spanish  government,  and  which  was  maintained  until  after 
tlu^  insurrection  of  1781,  was  called  the  "Eepartiiuento." 
This  was  a  compulsory  distribution  of  Kuropeau  goods, 
which  the  natives  were  compelled  to  i.)urchase  at  cnoi-mous 
prices,  "The  law  was  doubtless  intended,"  it  is  said  by 
T.-chudi,  "in  its  origin,  for  the  advantage  and  convenience 
of  the  native  Indians,  by  supplying  them  with  necessaries 
at  a  reasouable  price.    But  subsequently  the  Ke])artimiento 


V  4; 


'•  a)  ".fill 

)t  wiih 
of  tho 
gu  coll- 
.  (Iviim 
ounced 
x;nn}«1e 
,hat  his 
ic  cross, 
1)1  )i', 

scd,  the 
retched 
Islunds 
o  ia:d\0 
i>ii.  It 
and  io 
scanti\v 
ic^  and 
e  every 
i;,'^,  for 
il  was 
most, 
;nvait^'d. 
rights 

cm  of 
lil  after 
iicuto." 

goods, 

'IIIIOUS 
aid   1)}' 

iiience 
\<sarie3 
mit'iito 


;  I 


il 


I! 


.SOUTH  AMERICAN  INDIANS. 


571 


became  a  'source  of  oppression  and  fraud,  in  the  hands  of 
the  provincial  anthoritios." 

11  le  system  -which  regulated  the  services  of  laborers  in 
the  mines  or  on  the  plantations  went  by  the  nnme  of  the 
"  M  ita."  Those  Indians  who  were  placed,  by  the  operation 
of  tliis  species  of  conscription,  under  the  })o\ver  of  the  })ro- 
jn'ietors  of  the  soil,  were  in  a  far  more  miserable  condition 
than  slaves  in  whom  the  master  has  a  property,  and  whose 
health  and  lives  he  has  an  interest  in  preserving.  Such  a 
mis'-rabie  pittance  as  was  doled  out  foi'  their  support,  and 
.so  severe  and  unceasing  Avas  the  labor  I'ccpiired  at  their 
hands,  that  an  almost  incredible  number  perished.  "  Some 
writers  estimate  at  nine  millions  the  number  of  Indians 
sacr'ficcd  in  the  mines  in  the  course  of  three  centuries.'' 

When,  by  the  intervention  of  Las  Casas,  Lhe  wi'ongs  of 
the  Indians  received  attention  from  the  Spanish  coui't,  and 
extensive  jirovisions  were  made  for  their  freedom  and 
protection,  all  Peru  was  in  a  state  of  tumultuous  excite- 
ment. It  was  the  general  determination  not  to  subm't  to 
such  an  infringement  of  the  luxuries  and  prolits  of  ]\l  )  in 
the  New  World,  as  that  of  placing  the  serfs  under  the  care 
of  the  laws.  In  the  midst  of  this  tui'inoil,  in  1544,  the 
brave  and  patriotic  Inca  was  slain  by  a  }>arty  of  Span- 
iards, who  had  fled  to  his  camp  during  the  factious  disturb- 
ances by  whi'',h  the  European  settlements  were  convulsed. 
They  paid  the  forfeit  for  this  act  witli  their  lives. 

I'he  first  elfectual  stejis  taken  in  behalf  of  the  wa.-led 
and  oppressed  ]V'ru\ians,  were  under  the  viceroyalty  of 
Pedro  do  la  Gasca,  between  1547  and  1550.  liy  his  ef- 
foils,  a  careful  iiupiiry  was  instituted  into  the  coiulition 
of  the  slaves;  their  arbitrary  removal  I'rom  llieir  native 
districts  was  prohibiteil;  and,  al)ove  all,  sti'ii't  ivgniations 
were  made,  and — not  without  strong  ojiposiMon — enforced, 
Ijy  which  the  kind  and  amount  of  their  labor  was  precisely 
laid  down. 


';:3 


H  '■; 


1  : 


INDIA  \    IlAflKS  OF  AMKllICA. 


m-'. 


i 

■i. 


1 1 


I 


Tupac  Amaru,  a  sou  of  Afanco  Capac.  wlio  had  resided 
aiiioii<^  the  remote  niouutaiu  districts  of  tlic  iuterior  since 
liis  flithcr's  death,  was  taken  prisoner  and  }>ut  to  death 
during  the  period  tliat  Francisco  do  Toledo  was  viceroy 
of  I'ci'u.  One  of  his  descendants,  Jose  Gabriel  Condor- 
e:nmni,  l^nown  as  'riij)ac  Amaru  the  Second,  in  after-times 
fi'.'irfnlly  revengcMl  the  injuries  of  his  family  and  country- 
men. 'rh(!  insurrection  which  he  headed  l)roke  out  in 
ITS  I.  The  lapse  of  two  centuries  of  o])pression  had  thin- 
ucd  the  tceniin^^  population  of  Peru  iu  a  mtio  scarcely 
])reced(Mited,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  European  weapons, 
and  military  skill,  both  (jf  which  they  ha<l,  lo  a  cej'tain 
extent,  adopted,  reiulered  them  dangerous  oncuiies,  and 
enough  of  the  old  patriotic  spirit  and  tradition  of  former 
glory  remainiMl  to  alford  material  for  a  fearful  outbreak. 


The    I'Hig    depressed    and    humiliated    natives    rallied 


around  the  descendant  of  their  ancient  line  of  lucas  with 
the  greatest  entluisiasm,  and,  in  their  successful  attacks 
upon  various  provinces  where  Spanish  authority  had  been 
cstablisheil,  }n"oved  as  merciless  as  their  former  o})prcssors. 
(ii'cat  numbers  of  Sp.aniai'ds  pei'iMicd  during  this  rebellion, 
but  :t  was  finally  crushed;  and  LiO  Inea,  with  a  uund)er 
of  his  family,  iidling  into  the  hands  of  the  S])anish  author- 
ities, was  barbarously  jiut  to  death.  "They  were  all 
quart(U'ed,"  says  Bonnycastle,  "in  tiie  city  of  Cuzco,  cx- 
cejiting  Diego,  (a  brother  of  Tupac,)  who  had  cscaj)ed. 
So  great  w.'is  tlie  veneration  of  the  I'cruvians  for  "^I'ujjac 
Amaru,  that  when  he  was  led  to  execution,  they  prostrated 
themselves  in  the  streets,  though  surrounded  by  soldiers, 
and  uttered  piercing  cries  and  exclamations  as  they  beheld 
the  last  of  the  Children  of  the  Sun  torn  to  pieces." 

])ic<iO  ft'so  J  -ished  by  the  hands  of  tlu^  executioner, 
twcnU  years  afterwards,  upon  the  accusation  of  having 
instigated  a  n^  oit  which  occurred  in  Quito.  Ji  is  said 
that  the  insurrection  of  the^Indians  under  Tupac  Amaru — - 


I 


1 1 


SOUTH  AMEHIOAN  INDIANS. 


573 


Mio  liist  iinpoj'tiuit  ellort  made  by  tlunn  to  rt'cstaljlish  tlicir 
aiiciciit  independence— cost  mk^pc  tliun  one  hundred  thou- 
sand lives. 

Since  the  great  rcvohitions  in  South  AnKM-icn,  and  the 
estabhsluuent  of  the  independence  of  the  Jlepnljlics,  the 
Indian  popuhition  of  I'ern  have  made  noti-iHing  advance. 
A(;cording  to  tiie  account  of  Dr.  Tschu<li,  a  hile  Iravi-llti- 
in  tliecounti'j-,  they  "have  made  immense  progress.  Dur- 
ing tlie  civil  war,  which  was  kept  up  iiniuterru})tedly  {'<>', 
the  s})ace  of  twcnly  years,  they  were  taught  military  ma- 
ncijuvrcs  and  the  use  of  lire-arms.  After  every  lost  battle, 
the  retreating  Indians  cai'ried  wilh  them,  in  their  flighl, 
their  nuiskcts,  which  they  still  keep  carefully  conceahMl. 
They  are  also  acquainted  wilh  the  niainifactun)  of  gun- 
powder, of  which,  in  al!  their  festivals,  they  \v.ni  great 
quantities  for  sipiibs  and  rijckets." 

'^i'he  same  writer  d(.scri!)es  tiic  present  charactcn"  of  the 
race  as  gloomy  and  dislrnstlid.  The  C'hristian  religion 
Las  been,  at  least  in  nan c,  almost  universally  diil'used,  but 
the  observance  of  its  liks  is  mingled  wilh  many  relics  ol' 
the  ancient  suj)erstitions  of  ihe  country,  wliile  the  bigoti-y, 
errors,  and  evil  example  of  too  many  of  those  who  have 
acted  as  its  ministers  could  hardly  result  in  the  inculcation 
of  the  true  S]vii'it  of  their  hiith.  During  the  whole  })eriod 
of  Spanish  authority,  from  the  time  of  the  first  landing, 
the  Catholic  ecclesiastics  were  unwearied  in  endea,vors  to 
promulgate  their  religion.  Their  success  in  effecting  at 
least  an  outward  acceptation  of  its  doctrines,  has  been  no 
where  more  signal  than  in  South  America. 


II 


■■„  \\  s 


i0 


•I  n 


[_L 


t 


_i 


'l'   ' 


jM^ 


■J 

'if. 


» 


THE  ARAUCANIAN   RACE. 


CHAPTKll   1. 

rilEIU  LOCATION,  AI'PKAllANi'K,  ivrc. — IMfllCHAs'  DKSCItlPTIO.N  OKCHf 

LI DIVISION  OF  THK  TIUBlvS PKHUVIAN  CONQ'JKSTS — AGKICUL- 

TURE,  ARTS,  ETC.,  AMONG  TIIK  NATIVES — ALMAGKo's  INVASION 

EXPEDITION  OF    PEDRO    DF,  VALDIVIA FOUNDING  OF  ST. 

JAGG BATTLES  WITH  THE  MAPOCHINIANS — DESTRUCTION 

OF  SPANISH  MINERS PEACE  WITH  THE  PROMAUCIANS. 

The  different  tribes  belonging  to  this  bold  and  warlike 
race  inluibit  (■liili  and  western  Patagonia,  commencing 
about  latitude  thirty  degrees,  and  extending  to  Terra  del 
l''ueuo.  The  Pecherais  of  that  island  have  also  been  classed 
ill  the  same  family,  and  their  general  conformation  of  fig- 
ni'e  and  features,  except  so  far  as  the  withering  influence 
of  cold  and  squalid  destitution  have  deteriorated  the  race, 
would  seem  to  warrant  the  conclusion  that  the  two  nations 
were  of  identical  origin. 

'i  ^(e  mountaineers  of  Chili  are  of  a  much  lighter  com 
plexion  than  the  aboriginal  nations  either  north  or  south 
of  them;  the  tribe  of  Boroanos  in  particular  have  been 
described  as  being  little,  if  any,  darker  than  Europeans. 
The  men  arc  tall,  hardy,  and  vigorous,  with  exceedingly 
muscular  limbs:  their  faces  are  broad,  and  their  features 
rather  heavy  and  coarse,  but  without  the  appearance  of 
stu[)idily  or  dullness:  they  have  the  bright  eye  and  coarse 
blaek  hair  of  the  Indian.  Some  of  them  arc  noticed  with 
heavy  beards,  but  generally  this  a])pciidagc  is  lliiu  and 


THE  AUAUCANIAN   HACK. 


i::> 


i 


sciuitv,  and  tlic  common  burbai'ous  custom  of  cnulicp.ting 
it  with  sonic  substitute  i'or  twcc/.cr  is  resorted  to. 

Altliou^i^h  u  considerable  (bdcrcuce  is  ol)Scrvablv!  between 
the  inhabitants  of  llic  mountains  ami  tlio  ])lains,  in  size, 
Complexion,  ^c,  yrl  the  similarity  in  lan<i;ua<j,'c  and  ,uvn- 
eral  aj)pearancc  is  considered  suHicient  to  wnn-aiit  \\\c 
conclusion  that  all  originally  K})rung  from  the  same  stock. 

In  "IVirchas  his  Pilgrimage,"  we  find  the  following 
quaint  description  of  the  physical  aspect  of  the  country: 

"It  is  called  Chili  of  the  chilling  cold,  for  so  the  word 
is  say<l  to  signifie.  'J'lic  Hills  with  their  high  looke.s,  ct)ld 
blasts,  and  couetous  encrochings,  driue  it  almost  into  the 
Sea:  only  a  uiirrow  Valley  vpcu  lowly  submission  to  her 
swelling  adversaries,  obtayneth  roomc  for  fiuo  and  twcntio 
leagues  of  breadth,  where  it  is  most,  to  extend  her  si)a- 
cioMs  li.'uglh  of  two  hundred  leagues  on  that  shore:  and 
to  withstand  the  ocean's  furie,  slice  paics  a  large  tribute 
of  many  sli\ allies,  which  yet  in  the  night  time  slice  can 
hardly  i)erf( )rme ;  the  miserable  Hills,  in  their  Frozen  chari- 
tie,  not  imparting  that  naturall  bountic  and  dutie,  till  that 
great  Ai'biter  the  Sunnc  ariseth,  and  sendeth  Day  with  his 
lightdiorsc  troupe  of  Sunnc-beamcs  to  brcake  vp  those 
Icie  Dungeons  and  Snowic  Turrets,  wherein  Kiglit,  the 
^Mountaines  Gaoler,  had  locked  the  innocent  Waters. 
Once,  the  })Oore  Valley  is  so  hampered  betwixt  the  Tyran- 
nicall  Meteoi-s  and  Elements,  as  that  sliee  often  quaketh 
with  I'eare,  and  in  these  chill  Fcuers  shakctli  of  and  looscth 
licr  bi\st  ornaments. 

-X-  -:<•  "And  sometimes  the  neighbour  hils  are  infected 
with  this  pestilent  Feuer,  and  tumble  downe  as  dead  in 
the  plaine,  thereby  so  amazing  the  fearcfull  Eiuers,  that 
they  runne  quite  out  of  their  Chniii, ells'  to  seeke  new,  or 
else  stand  still  with  wonder;  and  the  niotiue  heat  failing, 
fall  into  an  vncouth  tym[)anie,  their  bellies  swelling  into 
spacious  and  standing  Lakes." 


!\  j; 


w 


576 


INDIAN'  HACKS  OF  AMKUICA. 


When  tlio  w.'stcin  i-oast  of  South  America  was  first 
visited  1)V  lliii'openiis,  ;i  poi-tioii  of  Chili  was,  as  beforc- 
nieiitioiuui,  sul)jei;t  lo  llio  roruvitiu  monarchy.  The  Clii- 
han  tiihcs,  aeconliiig  to  A[olinn,  were  lifteeii  in  Tiunil)er, 
ciich  iii(h'pciuleiit,  Jiml  govcrncl  l)y  its  Ulmcii,  or  etieiiiue. 
"  these  tribes,  beginniiij^  at  the  north  and  pi'oceeding  to 
the  south,  were  called  Copiajuns,  Coquimbanes,  (iuillo- 
tanes,  Ma})oehiniauH,  l^ioinaueians,  Curtis,  Cuiupics,  Pcn- 
coiies,  i\  raucanians,  Cunehes,  Chilotes,  Chinquilanians, 
Pehucnehes,  Puelches,  and  iluilliehes."  The  first  four  of 
these,  about  the  middle  of  tlie  fiCteentli  century,  were  re- 
duced by  the  Tnea  \^ipanqui,  without  much  opposition, 
but  the  .Promaucians  opposed  so  vigorous  a  resistance  that 
the  ])rogrcss  of  the  ]\Tuvian  arms  was  effectually  stayed. 
The  conquered  provinces  were  allowed  to  retain  their  na- 
tional government  and  customs,  npon  payment  of  tiibute 
to  the  Inca. 

The  Chilians  were,  at  this  early  pei'i(;d,  not  <j\)\y  bold 
and  sldllful  in  war,  but  had  made  much  greater  advances 
in  the  arts  of  civilization  than  any  other  South  American 
race  excq)t  the  Peruvians.  The  country  was  too  popu- 
lous to  be  sustained  by  the  precarious  pursuits  (^f  hunting, 
fishing,  kc,  and  a  rude  but  systematic  cultivation  of  the 
soil  had  become  universal,  ^riie  vegetable  productions 
brought  under  cultivation  were  mostly  the  same  with  those 
used  in  Peru,  and  the  native  sheep  or  "camel,"  was  domes- 
ticated, as  in  that  country.  This  animal  furnished  the 
wool  for  the  garments  of  those  who  inhabited  the  western 
vallies — the  wilder  races  of  the  east  and  south  were  clothed 
in  skins,  jirincipallv  of  the  guanaeo,  a  species  of  wild  goat. 

Their  hottses  were  generally  square,  built  of  bi'ick,  or 
of  wood  plastered  with  clay,  and  thatched  with  rushes. 
Culinary  utensils  were  formed  of  stone,  wood,  or  earthen- 
ware. Tliey  wrought,  with  some  skill,  in  the  usual  metallic 
productions  of  the  country,  using,  like  the  l^cMivians.  a 


11 


II 


1 1 
1 1 


I! 


i. 


"^11 


I  \ 


,i 


V // K    /'.')  >  v.; ff' A.    or    iiiK    (  () n /I  n.  1. 1: li.i a. 

"  Alm  AURo,  iii>tiiicl  d!' .Klviiiiciiii.':  alorii;  llie  luvt-l  c'luinliy  on  llie  a)Uat,  cliosu  lo 
limrcli  iicru!<s  iho  nuiuriliiiiis  by  ii  nmu!  lliul  was  sliurliT,  iiulfcU,  but  almost  imp'-actica- 
ble.  Ill  lliu  iittcmpl,  his  troops  were  cxpost-d  to  every  calumity  which  iiieu  can  sufl'er, 
rnim  I'atigiie,  (loin  lamiiii',  aii<l  troin  the  rigors  of  the  chinate  in  those  t;lovato<l  roKioiw.' 

—  IloilKRTSON. 


«  1  ,    .  M 


mtin  I 


,:'t';'-: 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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'^'^ 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  873-4503 


u. 


^ 


% 


:\ 


\ 


o^ 


■■;' 
•.I. 


THE  ARAUCANIAN  KACE. 


577 


■i 


hardened  aJloy  of  copper,  with  otlicr  metals,  as  a  substitute 
for  iron.  In  common  with  the  latter  nation,  a  system  of 
recording  events  or  statistics  by  the  "quipu,"  was  all  that 
was  observable  as  analogous  to  the  art  of  writing. 

The  Promaucians,  whose  courage  and  patriotism  had  a 
century  before  checked  the  advance  of  the  royal  forces 
of  the  Inca,  were  found  no  less  fornudable  by  the  first 
Spanish  invaders.  Alniagro,  after  his  fiightful  passage 
of  the  Cordilleras,  in  which,  as  is  said,  he  lost  one  hundred 
and  fifty  Spaniards,  and  some  ten  thousand  Indian  allies, 
was  Avell  received  by  the  tributary  provinces  of  Chili. 
lie  collected  no  small  booty  in  gold,  which  he  distributed 
among  his  followers,  and  continued  his  march  to  Coquimbo. 
Here  he  was  guilty  of  an  act  of  barbarity  too  common 
wherever  the  Spaniards  of  that  time  wore  successful  in 
their  Indian  campaigns.  Two  of  his  soldiers  had  been 
put  to  death  at  Guasco,  in  consequence  of  some  acts  of 
rapacity  or  violence,  and  in  revenge,  Almogro  seized  and 
burned  alive  the  chief  of  the  distinct,  wUh  his  brother 
and  twenty  other  of  the  native  inhabitants. 

Marching  into  the  province  of  the  Promaucians,  the 
Spaniards  found  an  enemy  superior  to  any  before  encoun- 
tered. Not  even  the  terrors  of  the  cavalry  and  weapons 
of  the  Europeans  could  daunt  the  Iji'ave  mountaineers, 
who  rallied  under  the  banners  of  their  chiefs  for  the  pro- 
tection of  home  and  country.  A  single  battle  was  sufh- 
cient  to  satisf)'-  the  invaders  that  little  was  to  be  gained 
by  any  further  advance,  and  Almagro,  with  his  troops, 
returned  to  Peru,  as  heretofore  related,  to  seize  upon 
Cuzco  as  being  contained  within  the  grant  made  to  liim 
by  the  crown. 

In  1540,  Pedro  de  Yaldivia,  a  bold  and  active  Spanish 
soldier,  and  high  in  the  confidence  of  Pizarro,  was  com- 
missioned to  lead  the  second  expedition  against  the  pro- 
vinccH  of  Chili.  He  took  with  him  two  hundred  Spaniards 
37 


I 


I ; 


ll 


'III 


I 


i 


m 


ir 


m 

III!  '      '^ 


■ 

i 

j{ 

,     »!i^ 

..f 

,> 

"^ 


578 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMEIIICA. 


and  a  large  hody  of  Peruvians,  with  the  intent  of  form- 
ing a  colony  and  commencing  a  permanent  settlement. 
Some  of  the  domestic  animals  of  Europe  were  taken  for 
use  of  the  new  colony,  and  a  number  of  women  and  eccle- 
siastics were  added  to  the  company. 

Crossing  the  mountains  during  the  favorable  season  of 
summer,  Valdivia  entered  Chili,  but  found  on  his  arrival 
that  the  northern  tribes,  freed  from  the  yoke  of  the  Incas, 
were  disposed  to  reassert  their  former  independence.  The 
want  of  union,  however,  prevented  them  from  being  able 
to  stem  the  progress  of  the  Spaniards.  The  invader 
pressed  on,  crushing  all  opposition,  to  Mapocho,  the  j)rov- 
ince  where  he  founded  the  city  of  St.  Jago. 

While  the  new  capital  was  in  progress  of  construction, 
the  natives  of  the  district  fell  boldly  upon  the  intruders, 
burned  their  buildings,  and  drove  them  into  a  fort  which 
they  had  constructed  in  the  centre  of  the  town.  The 
Spaniards  were  eventually  victorious;  but  the  spirit  of 
the  Mapochonians  was  not  broken,  and  for  years  afterwards 
they  continued  to  harass  the  settlers  in  every  possible 
manner.  The  opening  of  the  rich  mines  of  the  valley  of 
Quillota  reconciled  the  colonists  to  every  danger  and 
privation;  and,  for  convenient  communication  with  Pern, 
a  vessel  was  built  in  the  river  Chile,  which  flows  throutili 
that  district. 

Valdivia  now  sent  emissaries  to  Peru,  under  convoy  of 
thii'ty  mounted  men,  to  beat  up  for  recruits.  These  mes- 
sengers were  eight  in  number,  and,  as  a  bait  to  new  adven- 
turers, their  "spurs,  bits,  and  stirrups  he  directed  to  bo 
made  ot  gold."  A  body  of  Copiapans  attacked  this  party 
on  iheir  ronto,  and  dew  all  except  two,  named  Alonzo 
Monroy  and  I'edro  Miranda,  whom  they  carried  to  their 
uimcn  or  cacique.  By  the  intervention  of  the  chief's 
wife  their  lives  were  spared,  and  they  were  engaged  to 
teach  the  young  prince,  her  son,  the  art  of  riding.     The 

j  j 


THE  ARAUCANIAN   RACE. 


579 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE  ARAUCANIANS  PROPER — CHARACTER  AND  HABITS  OF  THE  TRIBE 
HOUSES    AND    DRESS — SECTIONAL    DIVISIONS    AND    GOVERN- 
MENT— SYSTEM    OF  WARFARE — COURAGE   AND    MILITARY 

SKILL RELIGIOUS  BELIEF  AND    SUPERSTITIONS 

PATRIOTISM     AND     PUBLIC     SPIRIT     OF     THE 

NATIVES — Molina's  eulogium. 


p**i 


i 


ungrateful  Spaniards  took  advantage  of  the  confidence 
placed  in  them,  to  murder  their  charge  and  escape  on  the 
horses.  They  succeeded  in  reaching  Peru,  and  procured 
a  considerable  number  of  adventurers  to  try  their  fortunes 
in  the  new  and  promising  regions  of  the  south. 

The  Chilians  did  not  quietly  submit  to  Spanish  en- 
croacliments.  The  inhabitants  of  Quillota,  by  an  artful 
stratagem,  drew  the  Spaniards  connected  with  the  mines 
into  an  ambuscade,  and  murdered  nearly  the  whole  num- 
ber; they  followed  np  their  advantage  by  burning  the 
miUtary  stores  and  the  vessel  which  had  been  built  at 
the  river  Chile.  Valdivia  had  the  good  fortune  or  skill 
to  overawe  or  conciliate  the  Promaucians,  and  an  alliance 
was  formed  between  the  Spaniards  and  that  tribe. 


t4 


\.^%^ 


Pushing  his  conquests  and  acquisitions  further  to  the 
southward,  the  Spanish  commander,  in  1550,  founded  the 
city  of  Conception,  but  as  the  occupation  of  this  spot  led 
to  the  important  events  connected  with  the  Araucanian 
war,  we  will  follow  the  order  of  Molina,  and  give  a  brief 
account  of  the  warlike  people  with  whom  the  Spaniards 
were  now  to  contend. 

This  author  speaks  enthusiastically  of  the  noble,  char- 
acter of  the  Araucanians,  their  physical  perfection,  and 


ii 


t 


M 


I 


-q 


580 


INDIAN  RAC1«:;4  OF  AMKlllCA. 


tlioir.  po\  ^rs  of  enduranco.  Tic  says  "tlioy  arc  intrepid, 
inimatcd,  ardent,  patient  in  endnrin;^-  faligne,  ever  ready 
to  sacrifice  their  lives  in  the  service  of  tlieir  country,  en- 
thusiastic lovers  of  liberty,  which  they  consider  as  an 
essential  constituent  of  their  existence,  jealous  of  their 
honour,  courteous,  hos])itable,  faitlifid  to  their  enj2;a,^e- 
ments,  gratc>ftd  for  services  rendered  them,  and  generous 
and  hmnanc  towards  the  vanquished."  Tluiir  failings,  on 
the  other  hand,  arc  "drunkenness,  debauchery,  presump- 
tion, and  a  haughty  contempt  for  all  other  nations." 

The  district  of  Arauco,  irom  which  the  nation  takes  its 
name,  is  but  a  small  i)rovincc  of  the  country  iidiabited  by 
the  race.  This  lies  in  the  beautiful  region  between  Con- 
ception and  Valdivia,  extending  back  among  the  moun- 
tains. The  inhabitants  dwelt,  in  primitive  simplicity, 
conOTCgated  in  no  large  towns,  but  thickly  scattered  over 
the  country  in  small  rural  villages.  Their  domestic  and 
household  arrangements  were  little  more  refnied  than  wo 
have  described  as  common  in  Chili.  Polygamy  was  gen- 
erally practised,  and  "the  size  of  their  houses  proportioned 
to  the  number  of  women  they  could  maintain." 

They  wore  woolen  clothing,  woven  fi'om.  the  fleece  of 
the  native  sheep,  and  consisting  of  close  fitting  under  gar- 
ments, and  over  all  the  national  Poncho,  a  most  conve- 
nient and  easily-constructed  cloak,  especially  adai^ted  to 
the  use  of  horsemen.  The  women  wore  long  dresses, 
Avitli  a  short  cloak,  both  fastened  with  ornamental  brooches 
of  silver. 

The  Araucanian  system  of  government  is  described  by 
^folina  as  being  an  hereditary  aristocracy.  The  country 
was  divided  from  north  to  south  into  four  sections,  the 
mountainous  region  at  the  east,  the  high  land  at  the  base 
of  the  Andes,  the  adjoining  plain,  and  the  sea  coast.  Each 
division  was  under  the  nominal  sway  of  a  Toqui,  or  su- 
preme cacique,  but  the  real  power  was  in  the  body  of  the 


9 

1' 


---q 


itrcpid, 
r  ready 
try,  cn- 
'  us  ail 
jf  tli(>ir 
ciigagc- 
;encrou3 
ings,  oil 

rcsuinp- 

,  " 

takes  its 
bited  by 
;cn  Coii- 
a  moun- 
nplieit}^ 
'cd  over 
stic  and 
than  wo 
,vas  gen- 
ortioncd 

IcccG  of 
idcr  gar- 
convG- 
iitcd  to 
dresses, 
i)rooclie3 

Iribed  by 
country 
ons,  the 
the  base 
Each 
1,  or  su- 
y  of  the 


'  ii 


THE  AKAUCANTAN    RACE. 


581 


nobility  or  Uhnenes,  wlio  jircsidcMJ  over  tlio  variouH  sul)- 
divisioiis  of  the  state,  and  who  decided  in  grand  council 
upon  pubUc  matters.  Our  author  docs  not  speak  very 
higldy  of  the  judicial  institiilioiis  of  the  country.  Much 
trouble  ensued  from  a  system  of  retaliation  by  which  minor 
offences  were  allowed  h)  be  punislKnl.  The  capital  crinu'S 
were  "treachery,  intcuitional  homicide,  adulteiy,  tlu;  rob- 
bery of  any  valuable  article,  and  witclicraft.  Neveithc- 
less,  those  found  guilty  of  homicide  can  screen  thcms(dves 
from  ]ninishment  by  a  composition  with  the  relations  of 
the  murdered."  hiach  father  of  a  family  assumed  and  ex- 
ercised absolute  power  over  his  wives  and  children,  luid, 
by  the  custom  of  the  country,  he  was  not  responsible  even 
for  taking  their  lives. 

In  war,  as  among  the  ruder  N^(jrth  American  tribes,  the 
direction  and  comnumd  of  the  armies  was  not  coTd'ci'red 
upon  the  supreme  civil  potentate,  uidess  from  his  known 
skill  and  braveiy  he  was  deemed  filly  competent.  A 
war-cliicf  was  not  unusually  api)ointed  fVom  among  the 
inferior  officers,  and,  when  this  was  done,  an  absolute  dic- 
tatorship was  vested  in  the  chosen  lcad(;r. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  S{)iuiiards  in  Chili,  the 
Araucanians  began  to  supply  themscl  ves  with  horses.  Those 
which  they  obtained  in  battle  multiplied  to  an  immense 
extent,  and  the  native  inhabitants  speedily  acquired  a  re- 
markable degree  of  skill  in  their  training  and  management. 
Swords,  lances,  slings,  bows,  pikes,  and  clubs  were  the 
national  weapons. 

Such  skill  in  the  arts  of  war,  in  fortifications,  in  military 
regularity  and  discipline,  and  such  bravery  and  efficiency 
in  the  open  field,  as  was  evinced  by  the  Araucanians  in 
their  long  contests  with  the  Spaniards,  entirely  exceed 
any  thing  recorded  of  the  other  American  races. 

The  terrific  destruction  caused  bj'  artillery  failed  to  con- 
fuse or  appal  them.     In  the  words  of  Molina:  "As  soon 


X 


M>| 


f? 


'!!  4;!i 


lA 


%i 


582 


INDIAN  llACES  OF  AMEUICA. 


,i-. 


"v;',.     ■ 


as  the  first  line  is  cut  down,  tlic  second  occupies  its  place, 
a:  .1  then  the  third,  until  they  linally  succeed  in  breaking 
the  front  ranks  of  the  enemy.  In  the  midst  of  their  fury, 
they  nevertheless  preserve  the  strictest  order,  and  perform 
all  the  evolutions  directed  by  their  ofliccrs.  The  most 
terrible  of  them  arc  the  club-bearers,  who,  like  so  many 
llei-culescs,  destroy  with  their  iron-pointed  maces  all  they 
meet  in  their  way." 

A  fter  a  battle,  the  prisoners  taken  were  held  as  slaves 
until  ransomed  or  exchanged:  in  some  rare  instances  a 
single  captive  would  be  sacriliced.  This  was  done,  (with- 
out torture,)  after  the  jKM'formancc  of  a  singular  preliminary 
ceremonial.  The  victim  was  brought  forward  "upon  a 
hoi'se  deprived  of  his  ears  and  tail — as  a  mark  of  igno- 
miny." The  proper  ollicers  then  handed  him  a  pointed 
stake,  and  a  number  of  small  sticks.  lie  was  compelled 
to  dig  a  hole  in  the  earth  with  the  stake ;  and  to  throw  the 
sticks  severally  into  it;  naming  at  each  cast,  one  of  tlie 
most  renowned  chiefs  of  his  'ountry,  "while,  at  the 

same  time,  the  surrounding  so.  ..  loaded  these  abhorred 
names  with  the  bitterest  execrations."  After  he  had 
been  forced  to  cover  the  hole  "as  if  to  bury  therein  tiie 
reputation  and  valor  of  their  enemies,"  some  one  of  the 
principal  chiefs  destroyed  the  captive  by  the  blow  of  a 
war-club.  His  heart,  it  is  said,  was  then  taken  out,  and  a 
little  blood  sucked  from  it  by  the  officers  standing  around; 
after  wdiich,  the  body  was  dismembered,  the  bones  were 
used  for  flutes,  and  the  skull,  (if  not  cracked,)  served  for  a 
drinking  vessel. 

All  this  sounds  excessively  barbarous,  but  Molina  tells 
us  that  only  one  or  two  instances  of  the  kind  occurred 
during  a  period  of  nearly  two  hundred  years. 

The  religious  belief  of  the  Araueanians  appears  to  have 
borne  a  strong  resemblance  to  that  of  many  North  Amer- 
ican tribes.     The  idea  of  a  supreme  being;  of  good  and 


:-it  ■!■■-:. 


la  tells 
kcurred 

lo  have 
I A  mer- 
le! and 


*r< 


i< 


THE  ARAUCANIAN  RACE. 


583 


<ivil  spirits,  especially  one  great  demon  named  Ouccubu; 
of  a  future  state  of  rewards  and  jmnislnnents,  and  the  im- 
mortality of  the  soul,  v.'ere  universal.  A  vast  nund)er  of 
superstitious  signs  and  omens,  some  of  them  singularly 
analogous  to  those  of  ancient  European  nations,  were 
drawn  from  earthquakes,  storms,  the  flight  of  birds,  and 
other  natural  phenomena. 

Each  person  believed  himself  under  the  special  care  of 
a  guardian  angel,  or  familiar  spirit,  to  whose  aid  and  in- 
fluence success  in  any  pursuit  was  generally  referred.  The 
Catholic  missionaries  were  received  with  respect  and  kind- 
ness, but  owing  to  a  natural  phlegm  or  indifrerence  tosuch 
abstractions,  they  met  with  but  little  success  in  their  efforts 
at  promulgating  their  doctrines. 

The  tradition  of  a  deluge,  so  universally  spread  through- 
out the  world,  was  current  among  these  Indians,  and  in 
many  other  respects  analogies,  whether  casual  or  not,  could 
be  traced  between  their  belief  and  observances  and  those 
of  the  old  world.  The  ceremonies  and  fanciful  conceptions 
connected  with  the  sepulture  of  the  dead,  if  correctly  re- 
ported, are  not  unlike  many  of  those  recorded  of  the 
ancients. 

Besides  the  compound  of  sorcerer  and  physician,  whoso 
services  were  required  by  the  sick,  as  in  every  other  part 
of  America  when  the  country  was  first  discovered,  the 
Araucanians  had  medical  professors  who  made  no  preten- 
sions to  supernatural  powers.  These  are  said  to  have 
possessed  considerable  skill  in  the  diagnosis  of  diseases, 
and  in  the  administration  of  simple  remedies.  Others 
devoted  their  attention  to  the  treatment  of  broken  limbs 
and  ulcers,  which  they  accomplished  with  no  small  success. 

Among  the  peculiarities  of  national  character  observable 
in  the  race  the  most  prominent  has  ever  been  an  indomita- 
ble spirit  of  patriotism,  and  a  pride  in  their  own  country 
and  usages,  leading  to  a  supreme  contempt  for  all  other 


'    'J 
I    ' 


^  i 


u 


ii 
r 


Ii 


■i:Xi 


564 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMElilOA. 


I! 


I! 


I! 
II 


nations.  Thoy  regard  tlieir  own  race  as  one  vast  broth- 
ei'liood,  every  member  of  whieb  is  bound  to  assist  and 
befriend  his  neighbor.  Molina  says:  "The  benevolence 
and  kindness  with  which  these  jieoplo  treat  each  otlun*  is 
really  surprising.  *  *  From  the  mutual  afU'ction  which 
subsists  between  them,  proceeds  their  soliciliKli!  re(,'i})ro- 
cally  to  assist  each  other  in  their  necessities.  Not  a  beg- 
gar or  an  indigent  person  is  to  be  found  throughout  the 
whole  Araucanian  territoiy;  even  the  most  iiilirm  and 
incapable  of  subsisting  themselves  arc  decently  chjthed. 

"This  benevolence  is  not,  however,  confined  wholly  t(^ 
their  own  countrymen;  they  conduct  with  the  greatest 
hospitality  towards  all  strangers,  of  whatever  nation,  and  a 
traveller  may  live  in  any  part  of  their  country  without 
the  least  expense." 

The  above  account  is  probably  rather  highly  colored; 
indeed,  this  author  has  been  accused  of  no  little  exaggera- 
tion in  his  comments  upon  Araucanian  civilization.  Noth- 
ing is  more  common  than  for  a  writer  to  be  carried  away 
by  his  subject;  the  biographer  almost  universally  deifies 
his  liero,  and  the  historian  of  a  particular  nation  is  but 
too  apt  to  fall  into  a  similar  error. 

In  their  houses  and  persons,  the  Araucanian s  have  been 
described  as  standing  in  agreeable  contrast  with  most  of 
the  aboriginal  Amicricans,  by  a  most  remarkable  cleanli- 
ness. In  this  respect  they  might  well  rival,  if  not  surpass, 
the  most  polished  society  of  Europe. 


1^ 


I 


''  ;   I,' 


THE  AUAUCANIAN  RACE. 


586 


CIIAPTKIl  III. 

AUMV  SENT  TO  OPPOSR  TIIK  IMlOfiRKSS  OP  TIIR  SPANIARDS — lUTTI.E 
ON  TIIK  ANDAMKN — I.I.NCOYAn'.S  CAMPAUiN — VAM)1VIa's  IMAKCII 
SOUTHWARD — FOUNDATION  OP  VALDIVIA,  AND  K STA  lil.ISllMKNT 
OF  FORTS    IN    TIIK  AKArcAMAN    TKRIilTOKV — TIIK    NATIVES 
ROUSED  liV((»l,0(()l,() — CAI'POMCAN  I'MADK  ToiiUI — HIS  SUC- 
CESSES— GREAT  VICTORY'  OVKR  TIIK  SPANIAIMiS DEATH 

OF  VAI-DIVIA — INVASION  OF  ARAUCO  IIY  VILLAfiRAN 

HIS  DKPKAT — DESTRUtrnoN  OF  CONCEPTION LAIJTA- 

Ro's    FATAL    EXPEDITION    AGAINST    SANTIAGO. 


W 


'J 


I 


In  order  to  clieck  tlic  iidvaneo  of  tlio  S[)aniar(ls,  tho 
Araucaniaiis  determined  not  to  await  an  aeliial  invasion 
of  tlieirown  territory,  but  t  cross  tlic  river  Bio-bio,  which 
formed  the  boundary  of  their  country,  and  attack  tliem  in 
force  at  their  quartci's  in  tlie  adjoining  province  of  Pence. 
Tlie  great  cacique  or  Toqni,  Aillavihi,  with  several  thou- 
sand warriors,  was  commissioned  for  this  service.  The 
S|)anish  army  was  encountered  on  the  banks  of  tlie  An- 
dalieii,  and,  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  American 
conquest,  experienced  the  power  of  an  enemy  little  infe- 
rior in  skill,  and  fully  equal  in  courage  and  determination 
to  the  trained  soldiery  of  Europe. 

The  Indians  fonght  with  desperate  valor,  regardless  of 
the  murderous  effect  of  the  Spanisli  fire-arms;  but  their 
leader  Aillavilu,  rashly  exposing  himself  in  the  hottest 
of  the  engagement,  was  slain,  and  his  followers  made  an 
orderly  retreat,  unpursued  by  the  Spaniards,  '^fo  secure 
himself  against  future  danger,  ^''aldivia  at  once  erected  a 
strong  f)rt  near  his  newly-founded  city  of  Conception. 
This  was  in  lool,  and  in  the  following  year  the  bold 
mountaineers  of  the  soutli  determined  upou  another  great 
effort  to  dislodge  the  dangerous  colony. 


Ui' 


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1 


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mm 


? 


586 


INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AMKIIICA. 


One  Lincoyan,  un  lllmcn  of  lni;^'o  staturo  aiul  imposing 
appearance,  was  created  couunrinder  oC  the  armies.  In 
three  bodies  tlie  Araueanians  fell  upon  tlie  Spaniards,  and 
drove  tlieni  witliin  the  fort.  Hopeless  of  elU'etin,L5  any 
tliinjf  against  this  stronght^ld,  Lincoyan  drew  oil'  his  forc^es: 
he  is,  indei'cl,  aeensed  by  historians  of  a  degree  of  ii'resolu- 
tion  and  tiniitlity  unwortliy  of  his  race,. 

Yaldivia,  lell  in  undisturbed  possession  of  liis  new  ter- 
ritories, went  on  witli  the  worlc  of  building  his  city,  and 
strengthening  his  position.  In  1552  he  felt  suflieient  con- 
fidenee  in  the  nund)cr  of  his  followers,  augmented  by  fresli 
arrivals  from  Peru,  to  undertake  active  operations  against 
the  Araueanians.  Lincoyan  was  still  in  command,  and  his 
efforts  failed  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  in\  ders,  who 
pressed  on  to  the  river  Cauten,  in  the  heart  of  the  hostile 
territory.  Here  Valdivia  laid  the  first  foundations  of  the 
future  city  Imperial,  and  sent  Alderete,  one  of  his  officers, 
to  connnencc  the  formation  of  a  settleuieut  by  the  lake  of 
Lauquen. 

F]'om  this  point  the  Spanish  commander  made  his  way 
to  the  southern  border  of  the  Araucanian  territory,  where 
the  river  Caliacalla  divided  it  from  that  of  the  Cunchcs, 
experiencing  little  opposition  from  the  vacillating  and 
cautious  Lincoyan.  The  Cunches,  in  great  force,  were 
prepared  to  o]iposc  his  entr}'^  into  their  domains;  but,  ac- 
cording to  the  accounts  handed  down  to  us,  they  were 
persuaded  to  lay  aside  their  pui'j:)ose,  by  a  native  woman, 
named  Kecloina.  Valdivia  was  therefore  enabled  to  cross 
the  river  in  safety,  and  to  found  a  city  upon  its  southern 
bank,  upon  which  he  bestowed  his  owai  family  name. 

On  his  return,  in  1553,  he  erected  forts  in  the  provinces 
of  Puren,  Tucapel  and  Arauco.  These  operations  were 
not  carried  on  without  hostilities  with  the  natives;  but,  in 
consequence,  as  is  said,  of  the  inefficiency  of  the  military 
chief  at  their  head,  all  their  efforts  were  unsuccessful,  and 


.  ■« 


■.•yr.jy. 


'f 


n  posing 
cs.  I  n 
I'ds,  and 
\v^  any 
■;  lorccs: 

ilTCSolu- 

ncw  tcr- 
dty,  and 
cut  con- 
by  fresli 
5  against 
,  and  his 
ei'S,  wlio 
c  lioslilo 
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liis  way 
IV,  wlicre 
'unclics, 
Imii;   and 
fee,  were 
but,  ac- 
ley  were 
woman, 
to  cross 
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•ovinces 
ns  were 
but,  in 
huilitary 
[Cul,  aud 


^1 


TIIK  AUAUCANIAN   UACE. 


587 


the  Spaniards  wcro  boginninj^  to  dospiso  tlio  power  of  an 
enoniy  wlio  was  in  al'ttu'-timcs  to  prove  invineiblc. 

Vahbvia  retired  to  Con(;t>|)ti()n,  from  wliieli  town  ho 
sent  lortli  expeditions  in  varicjus  directions,  fuiining  mag- 
niliccnt  phms  for  the  entire  occupation  t>f  the  surrounding 
country.  He  anticipated  littli^  further  resistant^!  on  the 
[)art  of  the  inhabitants,  but  while  he  was  indulging  tlu'so 
hopes,  and  poiulering  new  schemes  of  conquest,  an  inlhi- 
ence  was  at  work  to  counteract  liis  efforts  and  restore  the 
native  ind(>pendeucc.  Colocolo,  an  old  cacique  of  Arauco, 
set  himself  in  earnest  to  rouse  up  the  whole  nation  to 
resistance,  lie  visited  province  after  ])rovinee,  pointing 
out  the  dangers  of  the  supine  course  of  Lincoyan,  and 
urging  the  ajipoiutmcut  of  some  more  capable  and  ener- 
getic leader, 

A  meeting  of  the  Ulmenes  was  called,  after  the  usual 
manner,  in  an  open  plain,  and  the  merits  of  various  rival 
candidates  for  the  oflice  of  Toqui  were  stormily  discussed. 
It  was  at  last  concluded  to  leave  the  decision  with  Colocolo, 
who  fixed  upon  a  chief  not  before  brought  forward;  Cau- 
polican,  Ulmen  of  Pilma3^quen. 

The  new  general  commenced  operations  agnhist  the 
Spanish  fort  in  Arauco.  Having  taken  prisoners  a  body 
of  eighty  Indians,  who  had  been  sent  out  by  the  garrison, 
to  gather  forage,  he  put  an  equal  number  of  his  own  war- 
riors in  charge  of  the  supplies,  with  their  arms  concealed 
among  the  bundles  of  grass  or  hay.  These  were  admit- 
ted without  suspicion  into  the  fort,  when,  grasping  their 
weapons,  they  attacked  the  Spaniards  with  inconceivable 
fury.  Caupolican  did  not  arrive  quite  soon  enough,  with 
liis  army,  to  take  advantage  of  the  confusion  which  ensued. 
As  he  came  up,  his  brave  couqiany  was  driven  out,  the 
draw-bridge  was  raised,  and  the  garrison  stationed  to  de- 
fend the  walls.  He  therefore  invested  the  place,  and,  cut- 
ting off  all  supplies,  compelled  the  Spaniards  to  evacuate 


''  -ii 


'^ 


8''    ' 


''I 


W.f 


;'■:'■ 


^  .^in 


588 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


it.  Tins  was  accomplished  without  loss,  by  taking  their 
departure  under  cover  of  night:  "at  midnight  they  mount- 
ed their  horses,  and,  suddenly  opening  the  gate,  rushed  out 
at  full  speed,  and  escaped  through  the  midst  of  their  ene- 
mies ;  the  Araucanians,  who  supposed  it  to  be  one  of  their 
customary  sallies,  taking  no  measures  to  obstruct  their 
flight." 

Following  up  his  advantage  Caupolican  reduced  the  fort 
at  l^icapel,  and  encamped  at  that  place  to  await  the  ap- 
proach of  the  Spanish  army.  Valdivia,  according  to  tlie 
expectation  of  the  Toqui,  promjitly  collected  his  forces 
for  a  grand  struggle  with  the  natives.  The  numbers  of 
the  respective  armies  are  not  certainly  known ;  but  it  ap- 
pears probable  ■'hat  there  were  several  hundred  Spaniards, 
accompanied  by  ten  times  their  number  of  Indian  auxilia- 
ries, while  the  Araucanian  forces  are  set  down  at  nine  or 
ten  thous..ad.  As  he  neared  the  enemies'  camp,  the  Span- 
ish general  sent  forward  ten  mounted  men  under  Diego 
del  Oro,  on  a  scout.  These  were  surrounded  and  cut  off 
by  the  Indians,  and  their  heads  were  hung  upon  trees  in 
sight  of  the  advancing  troops. 

It  was  upon  the  8d  of  December,  1553,  that  the  grand 
engagement  took  place.  It  was  no  ordinary  Indian  skir- 
mish, in  which,  if  the  natives  could  be  dislodged  from 
covert,  their  discomfiture  was  certain,  but  a  pitched  battle, 
depending  no  less  upon  military  skill  in  the  manoeuvres 
of  the  d'fferent  battalions  than  upon  individual  couragG 
and  determination.  The  Spaniards  were,  it  is  true,  greatly 
outnumbered,  but  they  had,  on  the  other  hand,  the  im- 
mense advantage  of  fire-arms  and  other  European  weap- 
ons, with  which  they  had  so  long  been  accustomed  to 
scatter  the  hordes  of  rudely-equipped  savages  who  op- 
posed them. 

The  Araucanians  appeared  utterly  reckless  of  life :  line 
alter  line  would  be  swept  away  by  cannon  and  musketry. 


i  I 


THE  ARAUCANIAN  RACE. 


589 


but  fresh  bodies  were  ready,  at  the  word  of  command,  to 
rush  into  tlio  dangerous  breach.  Molina  describes  the 
result  as  follows:  "Three  times  they  Retired  in  good  order 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  musketry,  and  as  often,  resuming 
new  vigour,  returned,  to  the  attack.  At  length,  after  the 
loss  of  a  great  number  of  their  men,  they  were  thrown 
into  disorder,  and  began  to  give  vay.  Caupolican,  Taca- 
pcl  (one  of  the  most  distinguished  of  their  generals),  and 
the  old  intrepid  Colocolo,  who  was  present  in  the  action, 
in  vain  attempted  to  prevent  their  flight  and  reanimate 
their  courage.  The  Spaniards  shouted  victory,  and  furi- 
ously pressed  upon  the  fugitives. 

"  At  this  momentous  crisis,  a  young  Araucanian,  of  but 
sixteen  years  of  age,  called  Lautaro,  whom  Valdivia,  in 
one  of  his  incursions,  had  taken  prisoner,  baptized  and 
made  his  page,  quitted  the  victorious  party,  began  loudly 
to  reproach  his  countrymen  with  their  cowardice,  and 
exhorted  them  to  continue  the  contest,  us  the  Spaniards, 
wounded  and  spent  with  fatigac,  were  no  longer  able  to 
resist  them.  Ac  the  same  time,  grasping  a  lance,  he  turned 
against  his  late  master,  crying  out,  'Follow  me,  my  coun- 
trymen !  victory  courts  us  with  open  arms.' " 

Such  resolution  and  courage  on  the  part  of  a  boy  roused 
the  fugitives  to  new  exertions,  and  turned  the  scale  of 
battle.  The  Spanish  force  Avas  entirel}''  destroyed — of  the 
whole  army,  it  is  said  that  only  two  Indians  escaped. 
Valdivia  was  taken  alive,  and  brought  into  the  presence 
of  the  Toqui.  Caupolican  seemed  disposed  to  favor  tlic 
captive  general,  but  an  old  oificcr,  standing  by,  "enraged 
to  hear  them  talk  of  sparing  his  life,  dispatched  the  unfor- 
tunate prisoner  with  a  blow  of  his  club." 

A  more  fanciful  tale  of  the  manner  of  Yaldivia's  death 
obtained  some  credence :  Purchas  makes  mcntiop  of  it  as  fol- 
lows in  his  synopsis  of  Chilian  conquests  and  coloiii 


ition 


"In  six  and  thirtie  decrees  is  that  famous  Yalkjv  ot' 


1 1 


I! 


N 


..  Ml 

m 


I 


'ij 


I  't 


lif^ 


Lizr- 


I 


't 


i't 


590 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


Arauco,  wbicli  defend  their  persons  and  frcedomc,  maugre 
all  the  force  and  flirie  of  the  Spaniards.  *  *  1'hey  haue 
destroyed  many  of  the  Spaniards:  they  tooke  the  Citie 
Baldiuia  in  the  yeare  1599,  and  slew  the  Spaniards. 
Twice  before,  if  not  oftner,  they  had  burnt  and  si)oilcd  it. 
Yea  Baldiuia  himselfe,  the  first  conqueror  of  Cluli,  (for 
Alniagro  stayed  not)  and  of  whom  that  Citie  receiucd  name, 
was  taken  by  these  Indians,  his  horse  being  slaine  vnder 
him.  They  bid  him  feare  nothing,  hee  should  haue  gold 
enough:  and  making  a  great  banquet  for  him,  brought  in 
the  last  seruice,  which  was  a  cup  full  of  molten  gold  which 
they  forced  liim  to  drinke,  saying;  Now  glut  tliy  selfe  loith 
gold.  This  Baldiuia  had  entred  Chili  with  foure  hundred 
horse,  and  easily  conquered  that  part  which  had  beene 
subject  to  the  Kings  of  Peru,  but  the  other,  which  was 
the  richer  part,  held  out." 

To  proceed  with  the  more  authentic  narrative,  Lautaro 
was  immediately  raised  to  the  highest  subordinate  rank  in 
the  army,  being  made  "lieutenant-general  extraordinary," 
and  the  whole  country  resounded  with  his  praise. 

When  news  of  the  fatal  overthrow  of  Valdivia  reached 
the  Spanish  settlements,  the  inhabitants  abandoned  Vil- 
larica,  Puren,  and  other  minor  establishments,  retreating 
for  safety  within  the  walls  of  Valdivia  and  Imperial. 
These  two  places  were  invested  by  Caupolican  in  force, 
while  the  gallant  young  Lautaro  Avas  entrusted  with  the 
defence  of  the  mountain  pass  by  which  succours  from  the 
North  would  probably  arrive. 

In  accordance  with  directions  left  by  Valdivia  for  the 
conduct  of  the  government  in  the  event  of  his  death,  the 
office  of  govciu>r  devolved  upon  Francis  Villagran.  Im- 
mediately upon  assuming  command,  this  officer  made 
arrangements  for  another  invasion  of  Arauco. 

He  found  Lautaro  with  his  division  prepared  to  oppose 
his  entrance  into  the  province.     An  advanced  body  of 


;   ■    V 


THE   ARAUCANIAN   RACE. 


591 


natives  was  driven  in  by  the  Spaniards,  after  some  liours 
of  hard  fighting,  and  the  invaders  pressed  up  the  moun- 
tain path  to  tlie  spot  where  the  young  commander  was 
posted.  "This  mountain,"  says  Molina,  "which  on  sev- 
eral occasions  has  proved  fatal  to  the  Spaniards,  lii^s  on 
its  summit  a  large  plain,  interspersed  with  shady  trees. 
Its  sides  are  full  of  clefts  and  precipices,  on  the  })art 
towards  the  west  the  sea  beats,  with  great  violence,  and 
the  east  is  secured  by  impenetrable  thickets.  A  winding 
bye-path  on  the  north  was  the  only  road  that  led  to  the 
summit  of  the  mountain." 

Villagran  had  six  pieces  of  artillery,  which  he  succeeded 
in  bringing  to  bear,  with  effect,  upon  the  Indians,  while 
his  musketeers  poured  continual  vollcj^s  among  their  crowd- 
ed ranks.  By  the  orders  of  Lautaro,  a  select  body  of  war- 
riors charged  the  battery,  and  took  possession  of  every 
cannon.  This  decided  the  fortune  of  the  day;  the  Span- 
iards and  their  allies  were  driven  down  the  mountain  in 
hopeless  confusion,  pursued  by  the  victorious  natives.  To 
add  to  their  difficulties,  they  found  their  retnfat  cut  off  by 
a  barricade  of  logs.  But  a  handful  of  ilie  number  sur- 
vived  to  carry  the  heavy  news  to  Conception. 

The  city  was  iirmiediately  deserted,  as  incapable  of 
defence;  the  women,  children,  and  old  men,  were  shipped 
on  board  the  vessels  in  the  harbor,  to  be  carried  to  Val- 
paraiso and  Imperial,  while  Villagran,  with  the  able-bodied 
men,  took  up  his  march  for  Santiago. 

The  Araucanians  plundered  and  destroyed  the  aban- 
doned city  without  opposition.  '^I'he  hurried  dc[)arturc  of 
the  Spaniards,  and  their  insufficient  means  of  conveyance, 
prevented  the  removal  of  much  accumulated  treasure, 
Avhich  consequently  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians. 

Villagran,  as  soon  as  practicable,  sent  reinforcements  to 
the  besieged  cities  of  Valdivia  and  Imperial,  upon  wliich 
Caupolican  drew  off  his  forces,  leaving  the  Spaniards  to 


W 


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If 


■    "1 

,■■».»' 


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I  i!i  ■  ,1 


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' 

^H.'' 

1' 

t    i   .  i 
V    ■   '     -  ■, 

'.■ 

592 


INDIAN  "lACES  OF  AMERICA. 


lay  waste  tlic  surrounding  country,  A  worse  enemy  than 
the  l^iuropcau  invaders,  at  tliis  time,  desolated  the  Indian 
teri'itories:  that  terrible  disease  the  small-pox  was  eom- 
jnunicjited  to  the  natives  by  some  infected  Spanish  soldiers, 
and,^as  usual  among  a  people  unacquainted  with  its  pecu- 
liarities, spread  far  and  wide,  producing  a  fearful  mortality. 

In  the  year  1555,  the  Court  of  the  Koyal  Audience,  at 
Lima,  in  settling  various  disputed  (piestions  (;oniiCcted 
with  Spanish  government  in  Chili,  directed  Villagran  to 
rebuild  the  city  of  Conception.  A  colony  was  accordingly 
transported  thither,  and  a  strong  fort  w^as  erected.  This 
spot,  it  will  be  rememl)ered,  was  to  be  northward  of  tlie 
Bio-bio,  and  without  the  Araucanian  territory;  but,  at  the 
re(]^uest  of  the  native  inhabitants,  an  army  of  about  two 
thousand  men,  under  Lautaro,  was  sent  to  annihilate  the 
growing  settlement. 

The  young  chicftai.  was  a  second  time  completely  suc- 
cessful. The  Spaniards  were  slain,  or  driven  to  seek  safety 
in  their  vessels,  or  by  flight  through  the  wilderness,  and 
the  buildings  were  again  plundered  and  razed. 

l^Tushed  with  success,  Lautaro  now  determined,  Avitli 
only  six  hundred  warriors,  to  march  a  distance  of  some 
thi'ce  hundred  miles,  and  attack  the  town  of  Santiago. 
At  the  same  time,  Caupolican  again  laid  siege  to  Valdiviu 
and  Imj^crial.  Lautaro  pursued  bis  march  peaceably 
until  he  reached  Fromaucia,  where  he  revenged  his  coun- 
try upon  the  treacherous  allies  of  the  Spaniards  by  ravag- 
ing and  laying  waste  the  district.  This  course  of  pro- 
ceeding has  been  pronounced  grossly  impolitic,  as  by 
conciliation  and  kindness  he  might  have  secured  friends 
where  he  now  left  behind  him  implacable  enemies. 

Instead  of  making  an  instantaneous  attack  upon  the 
city,  Lautaro  deemed  it  more  prudent  to  erect  a  fort  to 
which  he  might  retreat,  and  wliere  he  might,  at  his  leisure, 
reconnoitre  tlie  '•ihmuv's  strongholds,  and  choose  his  own 


II 


1 1 


I  — 


i  I 


THE  ARAUCANIAN   RACE. 


tunc,  for  assault  or  surprise.  TFc  tlicrcforc  posted  hiinsclf 
on  the  banks  of  tlic  Cluro.  Kepeated  attt'nipls  wore  made 
by  tlie  Spaniards  to  dislodge  liini,  but  a^^ain  and  again 
they  were  repulsed  with  heavy  loss,  'riic  eonduet  of 
these  sorties  were  intrusted  to  Pedro  Villagrrui,  son  of 
the  governor,  the  old  chief  himself  bein^L'  at  the  time  dis- 
abled by  sickness. 

Upon  his  recovery,  the  veteran  took  with  hi)n  an  army 
of  about  two  hundred  Spaniards,  with  a  thousand  Indians, 
and  marched,  with  great  sccresy  and  caution  for  Lautaro's 
camp.  Tic  succeeded  in  surprising  the  enemy,  and  gained 
a  complete  victor}'.  The  attrick  was  made  just  at  the 
dawn  of  day,  when  the  Indians  were  totally  unj)rej)ared : 
they  fought  with  their  usual  des})eration,  and,  after  all 
hope  of  resistance  was  at  an  end,  sternly  refused  to  sur- 
render. "In  vain,"  says  Molina,  "the  Spanish  commander 
.  repeatedly  ofi'ered  them  quarter.  *  *  The  Araucanians 
perislied  to  the  last  man,  and  fought  with  such  obstinacy 
that  they  sought  for  death  by  throwing  themselves  on  the 
lances  of  their  enemies." 

Lautaro  was  slain  by  a  dart  in  the  very  first  of  the  mcl(5e. 
This  was  in  1556,  and  the  brave  and  celebrated  chief  was 
consequently  but  nineteen  years  of  age.  His  deatli  was 
universally  lamented;  even  the  Spaniards,  while  exult- 
ing in  the  prospect  of  future  safety,  opened  to  them  by  his 
death,  both  felt  and  expressed  the  most  enthusiastic  admi- 
ration for  his  noble  character  and  distinguished  talents. 
Cau[)olican,  hearing  of  the  melancholy  issue  of  Lautaro',-; 
expedition,  raised  the  siege  of  Imperial,  and  repaired  to 
the  northern  frontiers. 
38 


11 


I 


( ., 


i« 


111 
f 


■1l 


'     ,;'^ 


nr 


^(..f 


kf- 


1;J 


'*: 


"1 


594  INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AMKUICA. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DON  GARCIA    HE    MRNDOZA  ;    TIlS    KSTAHLISIIMENT  AT  QTJIKIQUINA 

FOUT  ON  MOUNT  I'INTO  ATTACKKI)  KY  CAUPOI.ICAN — DON  RAKCIA's 
INVASION  OK  AliAUCO  ;    HIS  CHUKI/riKS — KXTKOITION  TO  CIIII  OK 

AKTFlir-    JIANAGK.'MKNT    Ol"   TIIK    (lUNCIIES — SHI/UKE    AND 

CKUKl,    DKATU   OF    CAUl'OMCAN — SDliSECiUENT   SUCCESSES 

OF  Tin:  SI'ANIAKDS HETIJKAT  OF  THE  NATIVES  TO  THE 

MAKSIIES    OF    LUMACO — INDIAN  VICTORY  AT    MOUNT 
MARIGUKNU GENERAL    SUMMARY    OF    SUCCEED- 
ING HOSTILITIES. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1557,  Don  Garcia  do  ]\rcndoza, 
upon  whom  had  been  eoiifcrrcd  the  ofrice  of  Spanish 
viceroy  at  Cliili,  arrived  at  the  liarhor  of  Conception,  witli 
a  hirgc  foi'ce  of  inlantiy  and  abundant  muniments  of  war. 
llehrst  e.^tal^lislied  himself  upon  the  island  of  Quiriqnina. 
and  sent  niessa<j;es  to  the  Araueanian  autlun'ities  express- 
ing a  desire  for  the  establishment  of  a  })ermanent  peace. 
Canpolican,  with  the  concurrence  of  his  council,  sent  one 
^lilhilaueo  to  confer  with  the  Spanish  commandant,  espe- 
cially charging  him  to  iu)te  with  great  accuracy  the  num- 
bers and  resources  of  the  troops.  Nothing  but  general 
expressions  of  amity  and  desire  for  tranquillity  resulted 
from  the  conference,  and  Millalauco  returned  with  full 
re}H)rts  to  Canpolican.  '.riie  Toqui  was  immediately  n})on 
the  alert,  and  made  every  })reparation  for  obtaining  instant 
information  of  the  enemy's  movements,  and  for  opposing 
any  establivshment  upon  the  main  land. 

In  the  month  of  August,  Don  Garcia  landed  a  detach- 
ment in  the  night,  and  secured  the  position  of  Mount 
riiito,  overlooking  the  plain  and  harbor,  Ifere  a  fort  was 
constructed,  surrounded  by  a  ditch,  and  dtrfended  by  artil- 
lery. Only  four  days  from  the  time  of  landing,  the  Arau 
ctuiia'.i  chief,  with  a  large  army,  attacked  the  fort. 


) 


'-l\ 


iriquina 

mgaucia's 
ocini.oE 

UK    AND 
:CF.SSKS 
0  THE 
lUNT 
3D- 


)  McnJoza, 
)f    Spanish 
option,  with 
3uts  of  war. 
Quiriquina. 
ics  cxpress- 
neut  peace. 
:il,  sent  one 
ulant,  espe- 
y  tlie  num- 
)ut  general 
ity  rosviltcd 
d  with  i'lill 
lately  upon 
\ing  instant 
r  opposing 

|?d  a  detaeli- 

of  Mount 

rc  :i,  fort  was 

|cd  by  artil- 

tLc  Arau 

lort. 


TUE  ARAUCANIAN  HACK. 


595 


Filling  the  ditch  with  logs  and  fascincH,  the  assailants, 
in  the  liice  of  a  ninrdcrons  fire,  made  desperate  efforts  to 
Bcale  the  walls,  ^fiiiiy  succeeded,  and  threw  themselves 
into  the  inclosure,  wilHng  to  meet  C(>rtain  destruction  that 
they  might  hav*^  a  hrii'f  opportunity  lor  wreaking  their 
long-cherished  vengeaiH'c;  upon  the  S[)aniards.  Prodigies 
are  related  of  the  jiersoiiid  exploits  of  Tuca{)(>l,  who  en- 
couraged this  iindacity  hy  his  own  example,  l)ut  who, 
unlike  his  conij)anions,  succeeded  in  forcing  his  way  bacik. 
After  killing,  as  is  said,  "four  of  his  enemies  with  his 
formidable  mace,  he  ese-aped  by  leaping  over  a  precipice, 
amidst  a  shower  (^f  balls." 

Ji('inforcements  were  sent  over  from  the  island,  and 
Cau})olican  was  obliged  to  draw  oil'  his  forces,  leaving  his 
purpose  unaccomplished,  l^hc  arrival,  shortly  after,  of  a 
great  force  of  S2)anish  cavalry  and  Indian  auxili;iries,  by 
sea,  rendered  a  repetition  of  the  attempt  hopeless. 

Thus  strengthened,  Don  (larcia  soon  commenced  offen- 
sive operations.  lie  crossed  the  Bio-bio  unopposed,  and 
engaged  the  Araucanian  army,  a  short  distance  beyond. 
The  natives,  notwithstanding  every  exertion,  and  the  dis- 
play of  i  rash  valor  never  surpassed,  \/erc  driven  off  with 
terrible  loss. 

Cruelty  and  barbarity  unlike  any  thing  before  known 
in  Chili,  now  marked  the  success  of  the  conqueror,  lie 
cut  off  the  hands  of  a  prisoner  named  Galverino,  who  had 
been  a  noted  warrior,  and  sent  him  to  liis  friends  as  a 
warning  of  what  was  in  store  for  them:  other  ca])tives  ho 
subjected  to  cruel  tortures  in  order  to  extort  information 
as  to  their  general's  idans  and  places  of  retreat,  but  their 
fortitude  was  proof  .igainst  all  the  suffering  he  could  inflict. 

Caupolican  soon  rallied  his  forces  for  another  battle, 
which  was  more  obstinately  contested  even  than  the  first; 
but  the  result  was  the  same — the  superiority  in  weapons, 
and  the  efficiency  of  the  cavalry  securing  success  to  the 


i ' 

.  '     1 

II 


r? 


'fji 


T_.'J 


(H. 


i 


Ui 


,,m'-  ^ 


696 


INDIAN    HACKS  OK  AMKUICA. 


Spaniai'ds.    Tlie  mutilated  CKilvci'ino,  ;i,!j;iiii 
was  ]i;inu;(Ml,  witlv  twelve  of  the  iiiiti\(' 


1:ils 


en  i)ns()iu'r. 


l\f 


an'iiin<j;  into  tlie 


to  the  fjistfietofrueiiju'l, 


hiu'iics. 
Don  (J 


fonnd- 


listfietoi   I  ue:ij)ei,  i  Jon  liarcia  lonnd 
cd  the  city  of  (^nnete  upon   llie  spot  ol'  \'iildivia's  fonrier 
disconifiture.     A  strong'  I'oit  was  thei'e  built  and  L;;iirrisoned, 
and  lh(^  coiMnKind  intrnstcHl  to  one  Alon/^o  Keynoso,  ;i('tor 
which   the   eomiueror  returiKnl  in    Iriunipli  to  Imperial. 
From  this  town  he  sent  lari;-e  nunihefs  ofSptiniards  to  assist 
in  the  delence  and  cstahlisiinuMit  of  the  new  city.     On  tJii^ 
route,  these  settleivs  v^'cw,  (iirionsly  aitacketl  by  tin.;  natives, 
but  nflcY  sulleriug  somi^  loss  in  nuMi  and  stores,  they  cf- 
feeb^l  an  entrance  into  the  (bi'tilieation,     (yaujiolican  iheu 
vSet   himself  systematically  to   reduce  the   ]>lac(\      In    the 
5ittem})t  to  secure  ,'ui  advanta,!j,'e  by  the  inli-o(bictioii  of  a 
spy  withiu  the   walls,    Ik^   was   himscif  completely  over- 
reached bv  the  cnnniii"'  of  owe  of  the  Indian  allies  of  the 
Spaniards,     'riiis  man,  discoveriii!^  theeri'nnd  of  ihe  spy, 
secured  his  conlidence  by  j)i'ctcndinji;  hatn^d  a;(ainst  the 
invaders,  and  by  prouiisin<^  his  aid   in  admitting;  tin;  be- 
siegers Avithin  the  walls,     (laupolican   was  I'cgularly  en- 
tra])ped:  agate  was  l(>ft  ojmmi  to  give  ojipoitunity  foi-  an 
entrance  into  the  fort,  but  when  such  a  number  had  en- 
tered as  could  safely  \)v.  mastei'cd,  the  ])assage  was  closed, 
and  by  a  sudden  and  unex]iected  attack',  those  within  the 
walls  were  cut  to  pieces,  and  those  without  completely 
routed.     Caupolican  csca))ed  to  the  mountains,  but  three 
of  his  officers  were  tahen  ])risoners,  and  blown  from  the 
mu/zles  of  cannon. 

The  years  1558  and  1559  were  memorable  among  tlio 
Spanish  settlers  of  Chili,  for  the  ex])cdition  of  Don  Garcia 
to  the  archipelago  of  Chiloc.  By  an  artful  l)olic3^,  adop)t- 
ed  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  an  Araucanian,  the 
Cunclics  averted  the  usual  terrors  of  European  invasion. 
They  pretended  extreme  poverty,  sendiiig  to  the  general  a 
present  of  "roasted  lizards  and  wild  fruits,"  and  carefully 


!  ! 

:  I 


::n--  --n 


'isoncr, 

Lfoiirid- 
fol'iruM' 
fisoiK'd, 
<(),  al'tcr 
nperitil.  j 
to  assist 

On  tlio 
unlives, 
tbry  (•(■- 
■an  llicn 

111  the 
,i()ii  of  a 
]y  {)\r.r- 
.>s  ol'  tlio 
\]\r,  sj>y, 
jiiiist  the 

the  1)C- 

irly  cn- 
i'l)!'  an 

lad  I'Ti- 
cIoscmI, 

hill  the 
plctoly 

it  three 

oin  the 


r" 


n) 


ong  the 
Garcia 

r,  ado})t- 
ian,  the 

nvasion. 

fcncral  a 

iirefiillv 


TIIH  AUAIU'ANIAN    HACK 


!)7 


coiKU'aliii;^  every  sijjii  ofwealth,  parlieiilarly  in  the  j)reci()UH 
metals.  A  <fuiile  I'nrnished  hy  ihein  to  the  Spaniards  was 
instrni;ted  to  h'ad  the  army  soiilhward  \>y  i\\v,  most  deso- 
lalt!  and  daii^^eroiis  routes,  Ihe  tnore  ed'eetuall)'  U)  diseour- 
a;^e.  any  plans  ol'setthin'.ent  and  eoh)ni/ation. 

Ai'i'ivin,Lf,  at  last,  alter  iinhe;ird-o('  toil  and  ])i'i\ation,  iit 
tiie  •Jjeaiitifnl  arehipela^ro,  the  Spa,iiiards  wen;  kindly  and 
geiKU'ously  entertained  hy  th".  natives.  On  his  relmn, 
through  the  level  eountry  of  the  lluiiliehes,  l)on  (lareiu 
rounde(l  the  city  oCOrsiiio. 

it  WHS  dui'ing  this  tiDsenec;  of  the  viceroy  that  the  brave; 
Cauj)olican  fell  into  the  hands  of  his  emnriies.  Alonxo 
l{{!ynos(^  extolled,  hy  torture  oC  a  [»risoner,  the  disclosure 
of  his  [(lacxMjf  retreat,  and  S(Mit  a  corps  of  inoiinted  men  h) 
surprise  him.  V>y  ordt'r  of  the  cruel  commandant,  this 
brave  and  vtnierated  ruler  was  impaled,  and  in  that  p(Asi- 
tioii  dispatched  with  arrows. 

Tlu!  odice  oI'  'IVxpii  was  conferred  upon  a  st)n  of  the 
old  chief,  Caupolieaii  the  younger,  and  the  redoubted 
'J\icapel  was  m;ide  second  in  command.  An  anny  of 
Araucaiiians,  led  by  the  new  commander,  was  immedintely 
upon  the  inarch  for  the  ('ily  (jf  ( ■onception.  Alon/.o  Uey- 
noso  followed,  with  five  hundred  men,  to  atUick  this  body 
in  tln!  rear;  but  was  signally  defeated  in  an  engagement 
iioilh  of  the  river  Jiiod)io,  which  he  hardly  succeeded  in 
recrossing  with  a  remnant  of  his  followers.  Instead  of 
following  out  his  original  design  against  Conception,  young 
Caupolican  transferred  his  forces  to  Imperial,  where  I'ou 
Garcia  Inul  fortified  hiinscif.  lie  was  unable  to  tal:e  the 
cit}',  although  he  besieged  it  closely  ihv  a  long  time,  mak- 
ing many  I'uiious  and  desperate  attacks.  The  Spaniards 
were  strengthened  by  constant  arrivals  of  iinlitary  adven- 
turers from  Spain  and  Peru,  and  as  their  defences  were 
good,  their  1(jss  in  these  engagements  was  small,  fus  com- 
pared with  that  of  the  Indian  besiegers.     An  attempt  to 


.^i! 


if 


1 


"  ■*(] 

.  1 


i'    51 


hi'' ' 


'5i 


598 


INDIAN  HACKS  OF  AMKUICA. 


rouse  a  rebellion  uinoiij^  the  Iiidiun  allies  at  the  Sjianish 
camp,  was  diseovered,  and  all  coiicenuMl  were  put  to  death. 
Two  of  tjje  emissaries  ol'  the  Toiiui  were  "impaled  in  the 
sif^ht  of  the  Araueanian  ai'my,  to  whom  they  reeominended 
with  their  last  brejith  to  die  in  defmiee  •.>  >.;  libertii.'s  of 
their  country.  One  hundred  and  tweiii  .  ihe  auxiliaries 
were  also  hung  on  tiie  i'am])arts,  exhorting  the  othei's  to 
favor  the  enterprise  of  their  countrymen." 

Cau))olican  withdrew  from  the  city,  and  established 
himself  at  a  place  called  Quipeo,  between  Conception  and 
the  fortress  of  Canete,  the  nature  of  which  was  such  that 
it  could  easily  be  defended.  Uere  he  stoutly  resisted  all 
ellbrts  to  dislodge  him  foi-  a  long  time;  but  was  linally 
worsted  in  an  incautious  sally.  Jlis  army  was  mostly 
destroyed;  Tucajiel,  Colocolo,  Lincoyan,  and  others  of  his 
bravest  ofheers,  IkhI  fallen;  and,  seeing  escape  impossible, 
the  young  chief  put  an  end  to  his  own  life. 

Every  thing  now  seemed  to  favor  the  Spaniards:  they 
little  thought  that  after  such  a  reverse,  and  the  experience 
of  the  misery  and  horrors  of  a  long  and  bloody  war,  the 
natives  would  again  make  head  against  them.  The  inter- 
val of  peace  was  occupied  in  restoring  the  old  fortifications 
and  settlements,  and  in  the  establishment  of  new  posts. 
It  was  at  this  time  that  the  city  of  Mcndoza,  east  of  the 
Andes,  was  founded. 

Nearly  all  the  Araueanian  officers,  and  a  large  propor- 
tion of  the  young  men  of  the  tribe,  had  perished  in  the 
last  disastrous  campaigns,  but  the  indomitable  spirit  of  the 
nation  survived.  A  brave  chief,  named  Antiguenu,  was 
chosen  Toqui,  and  the  shattered  forces  of  the  nation  were 
assembled  in  the  gloomy  and  almost  impenetrable  marshes 
of  Lumaco.  Here  Antiguenu  "caused  high  scaflbldings 
to  be  erected  to  secure  his  men  from  the  extreme  moisture," 
and  devoted  himself  to  training  and  instructing  such  new 
recruits  as  could  be  collected. 


ion  and 
icli  that 
stcd  all 
3  finally 
mostly 
rs  of  lii^ 
possible, 

^Is:  tlK-y 
)ericu('0 
rar,  llic 
\()  iutcr- 
tications 
:W  posts, 
t  of  tlic 

propor- 

iii  tlic 

•it  of  the 

31111,  was 

ion  were 

niarslies 

Holdings 

)isture," 

bell  new 


TIIK  AKAUCANIAN    HACK. 


mi 


1 1 


"Don  Garcia  nad,  in  tlic  nioati  time,  Loon  snporsodcd  in  ;j 
liis  odiee  of  Spanish  viecrov,  hv  the  fonncr  incnmbent, 
Francis  Vil1a^t:;ran;  who,  hearing'  of  liu;  late  dcfrat  of  the  ]j 
natives,  supposed  that  lie  now  occupied  an  easy  and  secure  ' 
position,  lie  was  undeceived  by  the  intclligi'iice  that  tlie  |  i 
new  Toqui  was  beginning  to  give  his  army  some  practical  j ! 
lessons  in  the  art  of  war  by  various  predatory  visits  to  the  j } 
S})anish  settlements. 

The  first  serious  engagement,  in  this  campaign,  took 
place  at  the  summit  of  Mount  ^lariguenu,  the  scene  of 
former  disaster  to  the  Spaniards.  ^VntigueiiU,  familiar 
with  the  advantages  of  the  locality,  was  posted  at  this 
spot,  and  Yillagran  sent  one  of  his  sons,  with  the  most 
cfTicient  force  at  his  disposal,  to  attack  the  enemy  in  their 
quarters.  The  result  of  the  attempt  was  as  fatal  as  upon 
former  occasions:  the  leader  of  the  assailants  was  slain, 
and  nearly  the  entire  Spanish  army  destroyed.  The  To- 
qui followed  up  his  advantage  by  the  seizure  and  destruc- 
tion of  the  fortress  at  Canete. 

About  this  time  Pedro  Villagran,  by  the  cLatli  of  Francis, 
his  father,  succeeded  to  the  oflice  of  governor.  Antiguenu 
had  now  at  Iiis  disposal  an  army  of  not  far  from  four  thou- 
sand men,  and  felt  sufficientlv  stroim-  to  divide  his  forces, 
and  make  a  simultaneous  attack  upon  the  city  of  Concc])- 
tion  and  the  fortress  at  Araueo. 

The  city  resisted  all  the  attempts  of  the  natives,  although 
close  siege  was  laid  to  it  for  two  months;  but  the  detach- 
ment led  into  Araueo  by  Antiguenu  in  person  was  moi-e 
successful.  The  commandant,  Lorenzo  liernal,  defended 
his  post  with  great  bravery,  holding  out  against  all  the  as- 
saults of  the  enemy  until  reduced  by  ftimine  to  evacuate  the 
fort.  The  S])aniards  were  not  disturbed  in  their  retreat,  the 
business  of  destroying  the  buildings  and  fortifications,  so 
long  a  harbor  for  the  enemy  in  the  heart  of  their  owu 
country,  fully  occu})ying  the  attention  of  the  .Iraucanians. 


L 


'n 


m 


'4 


(., 


i!ii 


■m 


^fw 


f^l 


«ou 


INDIAN   LACKS  OF  AMICIIK-'A. 


¥i 


|: 


Scv(!ral  iiit(!rostiii^'  iiicidi-iitHiiro  rcconlodcornioctcd  with 
this  Hicgci:  ii]K)ii  (»tio  oeawioii,  Anfigiicmi  cliiillt'iinvd  iho 
Spanish  conimuiidiiiit  to  u  priviitc  ])ersonal  oiuiouiitcr,  and 
IIumIuoI  was  nccoriliiij^Iy  loii;^lit  in  si^Iit,  of  liotli  armies. 
*"l'iio  battle  bctwctMi  these  two  ehatnpions,"  says  tiie  histori- 
an, "  was  continued  i'or  two  iioiirs  without  (!itht!r  obtainin;^ 
any  advanta{^^(>,  or  injuring-  thc!  oth(>r,  till  they  were  at 
len^^th  separated  by  their  juen."  Sueh  trials  of  htreiij^lli. 
and  skill  between  renowned  warriors  oi'  either  party  were 
not  uneonunon  duriii;^;  the  protraeted  wars  of  Chili. 

Not  long  aller  the  reduetion  of  (Janete  and  the  ll)i  t  al 
Araueo,  u  general  engagement  took  place  Ixitwcen  the  In- 
dians and  S})aiiiards  at  tiie  junction  of  the  Vergosa  and 
iJio-bio,  in  whieh  tiu;  ibrmer  wore  totally  routed.  Anil- 
guenu  with  many  of  his  followers  fell,  or  was  forced,  from 
a  stee{)  bank  into  the  stream,  and  there  perished.  A  ter- 
rible havoc  was  conmiited  anioug  the  discomhtted  army, 
not,  however,  without  great  loss  to  the  victors,  and  the 
Araucanian  power  seemed,  a  second  time,  to  be  ell'ectually 
crushed.     This  was  in  the  year  loOI. 

The  sagacious  and  prudent  I'aillataru,  a  relative  of  the 
lamented  Lautai'o,  was  the  next  Toqui,  and,  like  his  pre- 
decessor, ho  set  himself,  at  lirst,  to  recruit  his  forces  and 
repair  the  disasters  ol'  war.  ¥ov  years  he  hazarded  no 
open  battle  with  the  whites,  but  inured  his  warriors  to  ser- 
vice by  Hying  incursions. 

In  15(55  a  new  Spanish  viceroy,  Ilodrigo  de  Quiroga, 
I'estored  the  posts  at  Canetc  and  Araueo,  and  built  a  new 
Ibrt  at  Qui]>eo.  \V  ith  little  oj)position,  he  laid  waste  those 
portions  of  the  Araucanian  territory  that  were  within  his 
icach,  and  dispatched  a  body  of  trot)ps  to  the  southward, 
to  bring  into  subjection  the  islands  of  the  Chiloan  archi- 
pelago. The  inild  and  gentle  inhabitants  of  that  grou])e 
.si.ibmitted  without  an  elfort  to  the  dictation  of  the  Span- 
iards, oil'ering  no  resistance  to  the  burdens  of  personal 


! 


TlIK  AKAUCANIAN    RACK. 


001 


j  fiorviw,  &c.,  imjioHCfl  upon  lluMii  1)y  tlicir  new  niastorn.     Tti 

i  al'tcr-tiim'S  tluiy  ju'ovcil  cinially  tracrtuhlo  in  a<l<>|it,iii^  the 

n'li,L;ioii  of  their  eoiinucrors. 

i  I^'or  lliiiiy  years   IVom  the   itislallatioii  oC    r;iill;il;u'ii, 

I  l)I<»()(ly  ami  desolatiii.L,^  warn  wen;,  at.  intervals,  wa,'^<'(l  be- 

1  tweeii  llie  Spaiiianls  jiial  Ai'auraiiiaiiH.     'I'lie  luniKi-,  (Vom 

I  the  steady  iiiereasc  of  tlicir  iiPinhcrs,  ar(iiiirril  a  stronger 

i  i'ooliioM   ill   lIic  coiiiitiy,  ami  tiie  result  ol'  hostilities  was 

generally  in  their  favor.    ( )ccasi()ii;illy  some  terrible  revei'se 

.  woiiM  .-erve  lo  remind  tliein  ihiit-  the  enemy  was  not  yet 

I  coiKiuered,  hut  that  tin;  old  spiiit  slill  burned  with  undi- 

I  inlnished  energy.     The  Araueaiiians  ae((uired  the  use  of 

,  lioi'ses,  thereby  gainin;^'  gi'eat  facilities  lui"  Hying  ineiii'sions. 

I  'I'o  II  eertaiu  (ixti'Ut  they  had,  morein'ei',  learned  to  avail 

!  themselves  (jf  sueh  fire-arms  as  were  secured  in  battle. 

I  PaillalarM  defeated  the  Spaniards  yet  again  upon  Mount 

!  ^rarigiieiiu,  and,  as  well  as  his  successor,  the  niii.~lee  or 

hall'-hreed  J*aynenamu,  pi'ove<l  a  ihoni  in  the  sides  of  the 

j  colonists.    The  L'Iman  of  ^rarigueuu,  Cuyuucaru,  was  made 

i  'roi[ui   ill  loS,"),  afU-r  the  seizure  and  (,'xecution  of  I'ayne- 

j  naiieu.      This    I'uler,    dlsappoiiiU,'(l    in    vaii(Mis    bold    but 

'  unsuccessful  campaigns,  resigned  odiee  in  fas'oi' of  his  son 

j  Nangoniel,  who  was  soon  after  slain  in  battle.     A  noted 

;  warrioi',  named  C.'aileguala,  succeeded  him. 

I  '^^riie  new  To([ui,  after  vari(jus  other  warlike  operations, 

j  laid  siege  to  the  Spanish  fort  at  Turen.     i'eeoming  weaiy 

]  of  delay,   his  (-hivalrous  s])ii'it  led  him  to  challenge  the 

i  i!(jmmandant,  (iareia  ItamcMi,  to  single  combat,  therel  y  to 

decide  the  fale  (jf  the  fortress.     The  two  leaders  a(  .;ord- 

!  ingly  fought  on  luMseback,  with  lauees,  and  Cadeguala  li'll 

i  transfixed  by  his  adversary's  wea])on  at  the  first  tilt. 

;  Guanoalea,  the  next   in  authority,  continued  to  wage 

'  ^vilv  with   the  Spaniards,   and   gained  many  advantages, 

i  lie  reduc;(jd  and  took  [)ossessiori  of  the  ibrtresses  atJ^uren, 

,  Trinidad,  and  Spii'ito  Santo.     During  this  administration, 


II 

II 
II 


i; 


''  I  ll" 


1ii,t 


i'  I  ! 


•■    .1 


'    1^ 


602 


IXDIAX   KACEri  OF  AAlKlilCA. 


flourislicd  a  celebrated  female  warrior,  named  Janequeo, 
who  in  lo90,  witli  a  horde  of  the  wild  and  roving  Puelches 
of  the  eastern  districts,  harassed  the  Spanish  settlements. 

The  young  chief  Quintugncnu,  succeeded  Guanoalca, 
u})()n  the  death  of  that  ^J'oqui  in  1591,  and  although  a 
bravo  and  noble  warrior,  was  doomed  to  defeat  and  death 
at  the  spot  most  famous  for  liis  countrymen's  victories. 
lie  fell  on  the  heights  of  Mariguenu,  where  his  army  was 
destroyed  or  dispersed.  One  Paillaeco  was  elected  in  liis 
|)laee,  but  with  reduced  forces  he  could  effect  little  against 
the  Spaniards,  encouraged  as  they  were  by  recent  success. 
'^I'he  old  forts  and  posts  destroyed  under  the  sway  of  pre- 
ceding rulers  were  rebuilt  and  fortified  in  the  years  ITDl 
and  1592. 


CHAPTER  V. 

VICEROYALTY  OF  MARTIN    LOYOLA — PAILLAIMACIIU — RENEWAL    OF 

THK    WAR LOYOLA  SLAIN — GENERAL    INSURRECTION  OF  THE 

NATIVES THE  SPANIARDS    DRIVEN    FROM    THE    COUNTRY 

SOUTH    OF   THE    BI0-13I0 BLOODY   CAMPAIGNS    UNDER  ' 

SEVERAL  SUCCESSIVE  TOQUIS PEACE  OF  1G40 TEN 

years'  WAR SUBSEQUENT  TREATIES  AND  HOSTILI- 

Tn:S — PRESENT  POSITION  OF  THE  ARAUCANIANS. 

In  1593  Don  Martin  Loyola,  nephew  of  Ignatius,  the 
originator  of  the  order  of  Jesuits,  arrived  at  Chili,  invested 
with  the  office  of  governor  under  the  Spanish  monarchy. 
During  the  period  of  his  authority  arose  the  renowned 
Paillamachu,  next  in  regular  succession  to  Paillaeco.  He 
was  an  old  man,  but  endowed  with  singular  energy  and 
activity.  For  two  years  he  kept  aloof,  recruiting  and  dis,- 
cij)lining  his  forces  at  the  old  retreat  among  the  Lumacau 


k 


THE  ARAUCANIAN  RACE. 


603 


moravSses,  wliile  the  Spaniards  had  opportunity,  unmolest- 
ed, to  restore  their  ruined  cities,  to  work  the  rich  mines 
of  the  mountains,  and  to  stren^^then  their  positions  as  tliey 
would.  The  Toqui,  by  an  ambassador,  gave  Ijoyola  dis- 
tinctly to  understand  that  he  and  his  followers  were,  as 
lirmly  as  their  forefathers,  determined  never  to  be  brou;j,ht 
into  subjection. 

Paillamachu's  first  attemjit  against  his  enemies  Avas  by 
sending  a  detachme  nt  (in  1505)  to  destroy  a  fortification 
erected  by  Loyda  at  the  southward  of  the  Bio-bio,  From 
this  time  he  continued  to  attack  and  plunder  the  Spanish 
settlements  wherever  opportunity  olibred,  avoiding  general 
engagements,  and  retreating  wdtli  his  booty  to  his  inacces- 
sible fastnesses.  On  the  night  of  November  22d,  151)8, 
he  succeeded  in  surprising  and  slaying  the  S})anish  gov- 
ernor, at  his  encampment  (with  a  slender  retinue)  in  the 
vale  of  Caralva.  "It  would  seem,"  (by  Molina's  account) 
"  that  the  Araucanian  general  had  formed  conlident  hopes 
of  the  success  of  this  bold  enterprise,  since,  in  consequence 
of  his  previous  instructions,  in  less  than  forty-eight  hours 
after  tliis  event,  not  only  the  Araucanian  provinces,  but 
those  of  the  Cunches  and  Huilliches,  were  in  arms,  and 
the  wdiole  of  the  country  to  the  archipelago  of  Chiloe." 

The  native  armies  met  wdth  unprecedented  success; 
town  after  town  fell  before  them,  reduced  by  siege  or  car- 
ried by  storm.  Conception,  Chilian,  Canete,  the  Araucan 
fort,  Valdivia,  and  other  settlements,  were  destroyed,  and 
the  inhabitants  slain,  driven  off,  or  carried  away  captives. 
Villarica,  Osorno,  and  Imperial  were  conquered,  in  1G02, 
after  protracted  siege,  in  which  the  miserable  citizens  suf- 
fered every  extremity  from  famine  and  terror.  "Thus,  in 
a  ]3eriod  of  little  more  than  three  years,  were  destroyed  all 
the  settlements  which  Yaldivia  and  his  successors  had 
established  and  preserved,  at  the  expense  of  so  much  lilood, 
i)i   the  extensive  country  between  the  Bio-bio   and  the 


■:i 


¥'< 


•Ih 


i^m 


I 
if 

i 


m 


r 


604 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


m 


mm 


11 


II 


ii 


archipelago  of  Cliiloe,  none  of  which  have  been  since 
rebuilt,  as  wliat  is  at  present  called  Valdivia  is  no  more 
than  a  fort  or  garrison." — [MoliiuCs  Civil  History  of  Chili; 
written  al)out  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century.) 

Great  numbers  of  Spanish  prisoners  were  carried  home 
by  the  Indians,  and  experienced  great  diversity  of  treat- 
ment. Afany  intermarried  with  the  natives,  giving  origin 
to  a  race  of  half-breeds,  who  proved  as  inimical  towards 
the  Spaniards  as  their  dusky  ancestors. 

The  brave  and  sagacious  Paillamachu  died  in  1G03. 
Repeated,  but  futile  attempts  were  made  by  the  Spaniards 
for  sevei'al  years  ensuing,  to  recover  their  lost  territory 
south  of  the  Bio-bio.  The  Indians,  fortunate  in  having 
brave  and  sagacious  rulers,  and  with  all  their  ancient 
pride  and  patriotic  enthusiasm  fully  aroused,  successfully 
resisted  every  invasion.  About  the  year  1612,  a  mo^'e- 
ment  Avas  made  by  a  Jesuit,  named  Louis  Valdivia,  to  put 
an  end  to  this  hopeless  warfore,  that  an  opening  might  l)c 
m;idc  for  the  spread  of  the  Christian  religion  among  tlie 
independent  tribes.  The  Spanish  monarch,  Philip  the 
Third,  highly  approved  of  the  plan,  and  proposals  were 
forwarded  to  the  Toqui  and  his  council,  b}'  moans  of  cer- 
tain liberated  prisoners. 

While  the  treaty  of  peace  was  under  negotiation,  and 
flattering  prospects  of  quiet  appeared  to  the  settlers,  an 
event  occurred  which  put  a  speedy  end  to  all  peaceful 
intercourse.  Ancanamon,  the  Toqui,  had  a  Spanish  wo- 
man as  one  of  his  wives,  who  made  her  escape  from  his 
power,  and  sought  protection  from  the  Spanish  viceroy. 
Two  other  wives  of  the  Toqui,  and  two  of  his  daughters, 
won  over  by  her  persuasions  to  embrace  her  religion, 
accompanied  her  in  lier  flight. 

The  Spaniards  refused  to  deliver  up  these  refugees,  with 
the  exception  of  one  who  liad  not  professed  Christianity, 
and  Ancanamon,  enraged  at  the  supposed  injury,  slew  a 


;n  since 
lo  more 
f  Chili; 

) 

}d  home 

of  trcat- 

o;  orii^in 

towards 

in  1603. 
paniards 
territory 
1  having 
■  ancient 
iccssfvilly 
a  mo^'e- 
la,  to  put 
mif'lit  1)0 

I  ^ 

ion<j;  the 
lip  iho 
als  wore 
of  cer- 

lon,  and 
tiers,  an 
peaceful 
nish  \vo- 
rom  his 
viceroy, 
.nghtcrs, 
religion, 

?es,  with 
stianity, 
slew  a 


! 


1 1 
1 1 


THE  ARAUCANIAN  RACE. 


605 


number  of  missionaries  who  had  been  conducted  into  his 
dominions,  and  with  renewed  energy  continued  the  pros- 
ecution of  the  war. 

About  the  year  16LS,  a  most  fierce  and  dangerous 
enemy  of  the  Spaniards  had  the  dictatorship  of  the  Arau- 
canian  tribes.  This  was  the  celebrated  Toqui  Lientur. 
A  chain  of  military  posts  and  strong  fortifications  had 
been  erected  by  the  Spanisli  authorities  npon  the  Bio-bio, 
to  prevent  Indian  incursions,  but  they  availed  nothing 
against  the  rapid  and  energetic  movements  of  the  nati^'e 
commander.  Until  his  rcsio-nation,  in  1025,  he  not  onlv 
preserved  his  own  country  from  Spanish  occupation,  but 
made  continual  inroads  into  the  enemy's  territory,  plun- 
dering their  villages  and  destroying  the  forces  brought  to 
oppose  him.  In  his  very  first  expedition,  he  is  said  to  have 
seized  and  carried  off  no  less  than  four  hundred  horses. 

His  successor,  the  young  warrior  Putapichion,  who  had 
been  formerly  a  slave  among  the  whites,  proved  a  no  less 
foi-midable  adversary.  lie  continued  in  authority  until 
slain  in  battle  about  eight  years  from  the  time  of  his  acces- 
sion; a  period  marked  by  many  extensive  and  bloody 
campaigns,  in  which  the  Spaniards,  although  more  success- 
ful than  during  former  administrations,  could  obtain  no 
permanent  footing  upon  Araucanian  soil.  At  the  last 
grand  engagement,  which,  in  consequence  of  his  death, 
resulted  favorably  for  the  Spaniards,  the  manner  in  which 
this  chief  marshaled  and  brought  his  forces  to  action  ex- 
cited the  admiration  of  his  enemies. 

The  obstinacy  with  which  these  wars  were  carried  on 
during  a  period  of  little  less  than  a  century,  until  the  peace 
concluded  in  1610,  is  almost  without  parallel.  The  history 
of  the  times  does  not  record  a  series  of  petty  skirmishes, 
but  a  succession  of  desperate  campaigns,  in  which  the  known 
valor  and  obstinacy  of  the  Spaniard  were  no  less  conspicu- 
ous than  the  nUc.v  carelessness  of  life  and  enthusiastic  self* 


ii 


i  I 


:  I 


!i 


:.j 


•  »■ 

.1: 
,t!'      ■■ 


I 

'i; 

I 


m 

*' V 

m 

1 

iH 

1 

if: 


Ir 


606 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


5' 


il 


K: 


;.  I 


ti: 


I 


devotion  of  the  Indian,  The  success  of  cither  part}'-  would, 
from  time  to  time,  seem  to  threaten  the  utter  extermination 
of  their  rivals,  but  defeat  only  compelled  a  retreat,  on  the 
one  hand  -within  the  fortified  towns,  and  on  the  other  into 
the  impenetrable  wilderness,  until  new  forces  could  be 
raised  and  new  plans  of  assault  concocted. 

hi  the  year  last  mentioned  tlie  Alarquis  of  Baydes,  Fran- 
cisco Zuiiiga,  came  out  to  Chili  as  governor,  and  exerted 
himself  successfully  to  obtain  an  interview  with  the  Tocjui 
Lincopichion,  and  to  conclude  terms  for  a  lasting  peace. 

An  immense  concourse  of  both  races  attended  at  tlic 
time  and  place  appointed  for  the  solemn  ratification  of  the 
treaty,  and  days  were  passed  in  feats  and  congratulatory 
ceremonials.  Prisoners  were  exehang-ed,  trade  was  estab- 
lished,  and  free  scope  was  given  to  the  exertions  of  the 
devout  ecclesiastics  who  assumed  the  duty  of  converting 
the  Indians.  These  missionaries  were  Avell  and  respect- 
fully treated,  but  met  with  no  marked  success  in  the  propa- 
gation of  their  doctrines. 

The  peace  lasted  until  about  1655,  when  it  was  succeeded 
by  a  ten  years'  war,  the  particulars  of  which  arc  onlv 
n.icorded  in  the  most  general  terms.  It  is  certain  that 
dui'ing  this  season  of  hostility  the  Spanish  colonists  met 
with  such  terrible  losses,  and  were,  upon  many  occasions, 
so  signally  defeated  by  the  Araucanians,  that  the  preser- 
vation of  a  true  history  of  events  would  be  little  flattering 
to  their  national  pride. 

A  new  treaty  was  brought  about  in  1665,  by  the  gov- 
ernor, Francisco  ]\Ieneses,  and  the  country  was  compara- 
tively at  rest  for  more  than  half  a  century.  The  Spaniards 
began  to  settle  in  the  Araucanian  territory,  and,  in  conse- 
quence of  their  naturally  overbearing  disposition,  became 
objects  of  dislike  and  suspicion  to  the  nati  /e  inhabitants. 
Certain  Spanish  officials,  denominated  the  *' Captains  of  the 
Friends,"  whose  nominal  duty  was  the  protection  of  tlie 


THE  ARAUCANIAX   KACES. 


607 


missionaries,  out  wlio  assumed  unwarranted  powers,  were 
especially  odious. 

In  1722  the  discontent  of  the  Indians  led  them  to  a 
renewal  of  hostilities.  They  appointed  one  Yilluniilla,  a 
bold  and  ambitious  man,  to  the  office  of  Toqui.  This 
chief  exerted  himself  to  rouse  up  an  insurrection  through- 
out Chili,  but,  failing  in  this,  with  undiminished  resolution, 
he  collected  what  forcCs  could  be  mustered,  and  fell  upon 
the  S[)anish  settlements.  He  met  with  no  little  success, 
gaining  possession  of  the  fortresses  of  Tucapel,  Arauco, 
and  I'uren.  In  the  words  of  the  historian,  "The  war 
afterwards  became  reduced  to  skirmishes  of  but  little  im- 
portance, which  were  finally  terminated  by  the  celebrated 
peace  of  Negrete,  a  place  situated  at  the  confluence  of  the 
rivers  Bio-bio  and  Lara."  The  more  important  grievances 
complained  of  by  the  natives  were  redressed  at  the  settle- 
ment of  the  terms  of  treaty. 

Further  difficulties  arose  under  the  administration  of 
Don  Antonio  Gonzaga,  in  consequence  of  an  absurd  and 
futile  attempt  by  that  oflicer  to  induce  or  compel  the 
Araucanians  to  build  and  inhabit  cities  in  certain  pre- 
scribed localities.  A  war  ensued  in  which  some  bloody 
battles  were  fought,  and  in  which  the  roving  Pehuenches 
were  involved,  first  in  behalf  of  the  Spaniards,  but  after- 
wards as  firm  allies  of  their  own  countrymen.  Peace  was 
concluded  in  1773;  and  among  the  articles  of  stipulation, 
it  was  agreed  that  a  native  minister  should  be  stationed  at 
St.  Jago  to  keep  watch  over-  his  nation's  interests. 

This  pacification  produced  the  happiest  results.  Relieved 
from  the  danger  of  hostile  incursions,  the  Spanish  settle- 
ments north  of  that  natural  boundary,  the  Bio-bio,  in- 
creased and  prospered,  while  the  free  tribes  at  the  south 
were  left  to  the  exercise  of  their  own  system  of  government 
and  the  enjoyment  of  their  well-earned  liberty. 

The  proud   distinction  of  being  the   only  aboriginal 


i 

:■  if    •  I 


M 


jiri 


I 


I  I 
I  ■ 
I  1-. 


J 


¥ 

f\] 

'(.' 

m 

1 , 

m ! 


ill 


(■  !■■• 


l 


608 


INDIAN  ILVCES  OF  AMERICA. 


Americans  wlio  have  maintained  tlicir  independence  when 
brouglit  directly  in  contact  with  Europeans,  still  belongs 
to  tlic  Aravicanians.  ^i'licy  occupy  much  of  their  old 
teri'itory  within  the  modern  republic  of  Chili,  a  district 
set  down  as  covering  an  area  of  twenty-eight  thousand 
square  miles. 

It  may  well  bo  doubted  whether  the  world  has  ever 
jDroduced  a  race  of  men,  who,  with  no  greater  advantages, 
from  numbers,  and  advancement  in  the  arts,  have  accom- 
plished military  exploits  worthy  to  be  compared  with 
those  recorded  in  Araucanian  history.  The  diil'oreut  aims 
and  purjopses  of  the  contending  j3arties  throughout  the  long 
and  terrible  contest  with  the  colonists,  enlist  our  warmest 
sympathies  with  the  natives.  On  the  one  hand,  the  insa- 
tiable thirst  for  gold,  the  pride  of  conquest,  or  the  scarcely 
less  detestable  spirit  of  intolerant  bigotry,  were  the  ruling 
motives — aiiji  how  powerful  they  have  pv)vcd,  let  tlic  his- 
tory of  Spanish  America  portray — while,  on  the  other,  the 
whole  end  and  aim  of  the  rightful  owners  of  the  soil,  in- 
dividually and  collectively,  seem  to  have  been  directed 
with  unflinching  self-devotion  towards  the  one  object  of 
the  preservation  of  liberty  and  independence. 

The  principal  bcnelit  derived  by  the  modern  Araucani- 
ans  from  intercourse  with  foreigners  is  in  the  introduction 
of  horses  and  cattle.  These,  with  the  vicuna  and  guanaco. 
constitute  their  principal  riches:  they  still  live  in  a  state 
of  primeval  simplicity,  and  freedom  from  most  of  the  arti- 
ficial wants  of  civilization. 


I  i 


il 

!: 

I   ! 


,     •,» 


1 1 


!e  wlicn 
belongs 
cir  old 
district 
iousuiid 

las  ever 
antagcs, 
!  accora- 
cd  witli 
eat  aims 
the  long 
warmest 
lie  iusa- 
searecly 
LC  ruling 
,  tlic  liis- 
tlier,  the 
soil,  in- 
directed 
)l)ject  of 

Lraucani- 


)dnct 


ion 


ruanaco, 
a  state 
the  arti- 


;  I 

I  i 


INDIAN  TRIBES  OF  BRAZIL. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PHYSICAL  CHARACTERISTICS IMNZON's  DISCOVERIES — LANDING    OF 

PEDRO    ALVAREZ  CAliUAL  UI'ON   THE    liUAZlLIAN   COAST EXPEDl- 

TION  UNDER  VESPUCIUS CANNIIJAMS.AI — COLONIZATION  OF  THE 

COUNTRY,  AND  WARS  WITH  THE  NATIVES FATE  OF  JUAN  DE 

SOLIS,  AT  THE   ESTUARY    OF    LA  PLATA — SETTLEMENT    OF 

BAIIIA    DE    TODOS    SANTOS     BY    DIOCiO    ALVAREZ THE 

JESUITS PARTICULARS  OF  THE  CANNIBAL  PROPEN- 
SITIES OF  THE  NATIVES THE  BOTOCUDOS. 

There  is  a  certain  degree  of  resemblance  in  form  and 
feature  between  tlie  Guarani  tribes  of  Bra/Jl  with  those 
of  other  provinces  further  soutli,  and  the  races  north  of 
the  Amazon,  described  in  a  former  chapter.  The  obliquity 
of  the  eye,  and  the  ^^ellowish  tinge  of  the  complexion,  with 
other  peculiarities,  give  them  somewhat  the  appearance  of 
the  Easterii  Asiatic  races.  "The  Eastern  Guarani,"  ac- 
cording to  Prichard,  *'are  the  Tupi,  or  native  inhabitants 
of  the  Brazils.  'The  general  language  of  Brazil,'  says 
Ilervas,  'called  Tupi,  from  the  name  of  the  first  Indians 
who  Avere  converted  to  the  holy  faith,  is  not  more  different 
from  the  Guarani,  viz:  of  Paraguay,  than  the  Portuguese 
from  the  Spanish.'  The  same  writer  enumerates,  from  in- 
formation derived  from  ecclesiastics,  the  following  tribes 
who  speak  the  Tupi,  with  little  variety  of  dialect,  viz:  the 
Cariyi,  southward  of  the  I'upi  proper,  reaching  as  far 
towards  the  south  as  the  Eio  Grande  del  Sud  or  S.  Pictro, 
39 


.—I 


(1 


.'*«' 


;n 


■''  ■  i 


a 


i  |; 


:ii 


;  *  ■ . 

U  . 

h^ 


610 


INDIAN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


ff'l 


.i" 


!| 


ll 


:  I 


ll 


I  i 


the  Tuinoyi,  Tupinuqui,  Timmiininos,  Tobayari,  Tu})in 
anibi,  Apailti,  Ta})igofis,  and  several  other  tribes,  occu])y- 
ing  all  the  maritime  countries  as  far  north  as  the  river 
Maraguon." 

The  lirst  information  obtained  by  Europeans  concerning 
Brazil  and  its  inhabitants,  was  from  the  report  of  Vicente 
Pinzon,  the  associate  of  Columbus  upon  his  fn'st  voyage 
to  America.  On  the  2(3th  of  January,  1500,  Pinzon,  wlio. 
with  several  vessels,  was  bound  upon  an  exploring  expedi- 
tion, made  the  present  Cape  St.  Augustine,  at  the  eastern 
extremity  of  the  southern  continent.  He  took  formal  pos- 
session of  the  country,  and  coasted  thence  as  far  nortli  as 
the  mouth  of  the  Amazon,  of  which  he  was  the  discoverer. 
The  voyage  was  in  some  respects  disastrous,  as  three  of  the 
vessels  were  lost,  and  several  men  perished  in  encounters 
with  the  ferocious  natives.  Upon  one  occasion,  a  single 
Spaniard  was  sent  forward  to  conciliate  and  parley  Avith 
a  group  of  Indians  who  stood  upon  a  hill  watching  the 
movements  of  the  strangers.  "  The  Spaniard,"  says  Southoy, 
in  his  history  of  Brazil,  "made  all  the  friendly  signs  ho 
could  devise,  and  threw  to  them  a  hawks'-bell,  for  which 
they  threw  down  something  which  was  supposed  to  be  a 
piece  of  gold ;  he  stooped  for  it,  and  they  sprang  forward 
to  seize  him."  He  defended  himself  with  great  valor  and 
skill,  until  his  comrades  hastened  to  his  assistance.  "The 
savages,  with  their  deadly  archery,  slew  eight,  wounded 
many  more,  and  jDursucd  them  to  their  boats.  *  *  Tiiey 
rushed  on  like  wild  beasts,  despising  wounds  and  death ; 
followed  the  boats  even  when  they  had  put  off,  dived  after 
them,  and  fairly  won  one  of  them,  having  slain  its  captain 
and  driven  out  the  crew." 

From  this  incident  it  will  plainly  appear  that  the  Span- 
ish adventurers  had  an  enemy  to  deal  with  very  different 
from  the  gentle  and  luxurious  natives  of  the  islands.  That 
the  aborigines  of  some  portions  of  Brazil  were  a  warlike 


.iJ 


Til  pin 

oceupy- 

lio  river 

nccrniiig 
'  Vicente 
it  voyage 
^on,  wlio. 
g  expedi- 
.0  eastern 
rnial  pos- 
■  nortli  as 
iscovcrcr, 
rcc  of  tlio 
Qcouiiter!: 
,  a  single 
irlcy  with 
oiling  the 

Soiitliey, 

siofns  he 

for  which 

to  be  a 

forward 

'alor  and 
ic.     "The 

wounded 
They 

.d  death; 

lived  after 

|t3  captain 

the  Span- 

difterent 

lis.    That 

warlike 


I 


IMMAN  TlilUKS  OF  MK.V/AL. 


611 


and  fierce  race  of  cannibals,  cannot  he  doubted  from  the 
accounts  given  by  eai'Iy  voyagers,  although  sonic  liave 
affected  to  doubt  whether  they  were  actually  accustomed 
to  devour  human  flesh. 

During  the  spring  following  Pinzon's  discovery,  Pedro 
Alvarez  Cabral  accidentally  came  upon  the  ]3raxilian 
coast,  as  he  was  steering  westward  to  avoid  the  terrible 
calms  which  prevail  west  of  the  troi)ical  regions  of  Africa, 
lie  landed  at  the  spot  afterwards  the  site  of  Cabralia,  about 
seventeen  degrees  south  of  Cape  St.  Augustine.  Cabral 
was  much  more  successful  than  his  predecessor  in  gaining 
the  confidence  of  the  natives.  The  tribe  with  whom  he 
ln\st  held  intercourse  was,  indeed,  of  a  m'ore  tractable  and 
kindly  disposition  than  those  met  with  by  Pin/on:  the 
usual  expedient  of  securing  a  j)risoncr,  and  then  dismiss- 
ing him  with  caresses  and  })resents,  brought  the  natives 
in  admiring  crowds  about  the  vessel. 

Cabral  took  possession,  in  behalf  of  the  crown  of  Por- 
tugal, and,  erecting  a  crucifix,  ordered  the  ceremonials  of 
the  church  to  be  })erformcd,  the  Indians  joining  readily  in 
the  attitude  of  devotion  assumed  by  the  c:omj)tuiy. 

The  next  Portuguese  expedition,  under  Amerigo  Ves- 
pucei,  sailed  from  Europe  in  May,  loOl.  Land  was  made 
somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of  Cape  St.  Roque,  in  five  de- 
grees south  latitude,  where  the  voyagers  Avere  horror- 
sti'icken  at  the  discovery  of  the  cannibal  propensities  of 
the  native  inhabitants.  Two  sailors  were  missing,  who 
had  been  allowed  to  go  on  shore  to  reconnoitre,  and  the 
crew  landed  in  the  boats  to  ascertain  their  fate.  A  young 
Portuguese  imprudently  went  forward  alone  to  communi- 
cate with  the  natives,  when,  in  plain  sight  of  his  comrades, 
he  was  set  upon  by  the  women,  knocked  down  with  a 
club  from  behind,  and  dragged  off.  An  attack  upon  the 
boats  immediately  followed,  and,  although  the  savages 
M  ere  easily  driven  off  by  the  fire-arms,  they  only  retired  to 


il 


I  i 

I   I 

!  i 


---J 


1 1 


1 1 


'i 


pi 


>.i 


^■j" 


\l:     ! 


W:    I 


612 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


.lisniom})cr,  broil,  and  feast  u]K)n  tla;  Lody  ol'  tlio  man 
tliey  liad  secured.  ]iy  unmistakable  gestures,  they  mado 
known  to  the  crew  that  the  other  two  Portuguese  had  met 
with  tlio  same  late. 

No  settlemeui  in  the  country  was  attempted  until  the 
year  1508,  when  twenty-four  men  were  left  at  the  port  of 
All  Saints.  Private  adventurers  commenced  colonies  at 
various  points  upon  the  coast  during  the  ensuing  years, 
making  the  collection  of  the  wood  from  which  the  eountry 
derives  its  name,  the  princi])al  object  of  their  efforts.  A 
most  bloody  and  savage  warliiro  soon  broke  out  between 
these  settlers  and  the  native  iidiabitants,  in  which  cither 
party  seemed  to  sti've  for  preeminence  in  cruelty.  A 
system  of  transportiug  criminals  from  the  old  country  to 
Jkazil  served  to  debase  the  character  of  the  colonies.  In 
warfare  with  the  Indians,  on  the  one  hand,  the  prisoners 
were  slain  and  eaten;  and  on  the  other,  all  were  put  to 
death  exccjpt  such  as  would  be  valuable  for  slaves. 

Meantime,  the  rage  for  discovery  brought  out  divers 
adventurers  from  the  Old  World.  In  1509,  Don  Juan  do 
Solis,  accompanied  by  V^iccnte  Pinzon,  and  commissioned 
Vy  the  king  of  Castile,  coasted  as  far  south  as  the  mouth 
of  the  La  Plata,  entering  upon  his  route  the  magnificent 
luirbor  of  Rio  Janeiro.  The  tragic  fate  of  tliis'commander 
is  thus  described  by  Southey:  While  in  the  immense 
estuary  of  the  river,  "the  natives  invited  him  to  shore, 
and  he  landed  with  a  boat's-crew,  intending  to  catch  one 
of  them  and  carry  him  to  Spain.  Their  intention  was 
worse  than  his,  and  better  executed.  They  had  stationed 
a  party  in  ambush,  who  rose  suddenly  upon  the  crew, 
seized  the  boat,  broke  it  to  pieces  in  an  instant,  and  slew 
every  man  with  clubs:  then  they  took  the  bodii>s  upon 
their  shoulders,  carried  them  to  a  spot  which  was  out  of 
the  reach  of  the  Spaniards,  but  within  sight,  and  there  dis- 
membered, roasted,  and  devoured  them.     The  scene  of 


.;  ,!'•,» 


^ 


INDIAN  TKITIES  OF  BRA/.IL. 


613 


0  man 
r  miido 
!i(l  met 

iitil  Uio 
port  of 
)uios  at 
r  yours,    I 
Ljountry 
rts.     A 
between 
li  eitlier 
Ity.     A 
iintry  to 
ies.     In 
u'isoners 
c  put  to 

f' 

.t  divers 

uan  do 

issionod 

mouth 

iiiliccnt 

mander 

uineiisc 

si  lore, 

dell  one 

ion  was 

Rationed 

e  erow, 

and  slew 

(>s  upor 

s  out  of 

liere  dis- 

seene  of 


.o 


l^ 


tills  trn^'ccly  was  on  the  north  shore,  between  Monte  Video 
and  I.Ialdonado,  near  a  rivulet,  whieli  still  bears  the  name 
of  Sol  is." 

'^IMio  cireumstances  connect(!d  with  the  (irst  setthMrietit 
of  Hahia  do  'Podos  Santos,  the  province  of  which  St.  Sab 
vador  was  afterwards  the  capital,  are  singularly  strikin;:'. 
A  young  man,  from  Viana,  named  I)io<ro  Alvarez,  was 
one  of  a  shij)'s  company  who  had  becMi  east  away  upon 
the  neighboi'ing  shoals.  Of  those  who  reached  the  shore 
in  .safety,  Diouo  was  the  only  one  fortunate  enou^di  to 
escape  bein,^  devoured,  lie  managed  to  gain  the  good-will 
of  the  Indians  by  his  seivices,  and  more  especially  com- 
manded their  respect  and  reverence  by  his  management 
of  a  musket,  which,  with  a  store  of  ammunition,  he  had 
saved  from  the  wreck.  They  denominated  him  Caramuru, 
"the  man  of  fire,"  and  exalted  him  to  the  rank  of  a  great 
chief  and  ea])tain.  In  wars  against  the  nation  of  the 
l^ipuyas,  the  terror  of  Diogo's  wonderful  weapon  gained 
the  most  sifrnal  victories  for  his  associates:  in  reward  for 

o 

his  services,  the  principal  men  of  the  country  gave  him 
their  daughters  for  wives,  and  he  lived  like  a  sovereign  sur- 
rounded by  reverential  attendants.  According  to  Soutluiy, 
"lie  fixed  his  abode  where  Villa  Velha  was  afterwards 
erected ;  and  soon  saw  as  numerous  a  progeny  as  an  old 
patriarch's  rising  around  him.  The  best  families  in  Bahia 
trace  their  origin  to  him." 

Diogo  took  advantage  of  the  arrival  of  a  French  vessel 
Ujion  the  coast  to  return  to  Europe,  taking  with  him  one 
of  his  wives,  named  Pai'aguaza.  As  the  ship  got  undei 
weigh,  several  of  his  other  consorts  gave  proof  of  their 
affection  by  swimming  after  it,  and  one  of  them  persisted 
in  the  hopeless  endeavor  to  follow,  until  so  exhausted  that 
she  perished  before  being  able  to  return  to  shore.  The 
king  and  queen  of  France  showed  great  attention  to  Diogo 
and  his  wife,  and  by  their  directions  the  latter  was  bap- 


I. 


1;   »    ■ 


'        1 


iU 


rr 


"••1 


nil 


INPTAN   TIACRS  OF  AMKI;ir.\. 


).'■' 


M 


!l 


I 


1 1 


tJ/od  with  much  ciTomon)',  ami  joiiicil  to  lier  li.jshuml  by 
a  lo^al  rnarria^c  uecord'm^.'j  to  tiio  rules  of  tlio  cliiin-h. 

Wy  tho  jissiHt.'uice  o{^  u  lidi  riKTchaiit,  l)i();^fo  aftorwartlfl 
rotiirrKMl  to  Haliia  with  many  conveniences  for  cstablishiiig 
himself  in  .security  and  comfort,  and  for  the  arrangement 
of  a  rci^ular  system  of  traffK!  in  the  productions  of  tlio 
country.  \\v  j)r()ved  of  inestiniahle  service,  in  after  years, 
when  an  extensive  coloni/nliou  of  that  rc,L,M(m  took  j)lact^, 
in  k(>t>pin,!^  u])  fri(Mul!3'  rdatii^ns  with  the  Indians.  l''r()m 
tliis('(uitr;d  [)oiiit,  wlicn^  St.  Sidvador  was  built,  comineticed 
that  wonderful  in(Iuen<}c  exerted  by  the  Jesuit  mission- 
aries over  the  native;  [)o[)ulalion. 

These  enthusiastic  devotees  found  their  proselytes  not 
unapt  in  acquirinp^  tlic  Portuguese  language,  and  by  the 
attractions  of  music,  of  which  tliey  were  passionately  fond, 
tog(;ther  with  kind  treatment  :md  virtuous  exami)le,  tliey 
won  over  gre.it  numbers  to  a  C(m formation  to  the  outward 
re(piisitions  of  their  faith,  if  not  to  an  underst:uiding  of  its 
abstractions.  One  thing,  however,  seemed  almost  iinjirac- 
ticable,  and  that  was  to  eradicate  the  inordinate  propensity 
to  cannibalism,  .so  imiver.sally  dilT'u.sed  among  the  Ih-a/iliiin 
aborigines.  An  aniscdote  upon  this  j)oint,  related  by  Mr. 
Southey,  has  been  often  told,  but  will  bear  rei)etition :  "  A 
Jesuit  one  day  found  a  Brazilian  woni;in  in  extreme  old 
age,  and  almost  at  the  point  of  deatJi.  Having  catechised 
h(T,  instructed  lier,  as  ho  conceived,  id  the  nature  ofCiiris- 
tianity,  and  completely  taken  care  of  her  .soul,  he  began  to 
inquire  whether  there  was  any  kind  of  food  which  she 
could  take?  'drandam,'  said  he,  'if  I  were  to  get  you  a 
little  sugar  now,  or  a  mouthful  of  .some  of  our  nice  things 
whicih  Avc  bring  from  bej^ond  sea,  do  you  think  you  could 
cat  it?'  'Ah,  my  grand.son,'  said  the  old  convert,  'my 
atonuicli  goes  against  every  thing.  There  is  but  one  thing 
M'hich  I  fancy  I  could  touch.  If  T  had  the  little  hand  of 
a  little  tender  Tapuya  boy,  T    tliiidv   I   cuidd   pick   th.o 


I 


1 


M 


!l 


INDIAN  TUIIIES  OK  nUAZII,. 


015 


little  bones;  Ijut,  woe  is  ino,  there  is  nobody  to  go  out 
aud  shoot  one  lor  ine!'" 

In  addition  to  tlio  instructions  juid  porsuasiona  of  the 
Jesuits,  tlio  Portuguese  eoh^niul  autiioritiis  U-nt  their  iiid 
to  enforec  the  reguhitions  prohibiting  this  mniMturiil  cus- 
tom, but  it  was  long  u  bone  of  conteiitii  'ii  between  thciu  and 
their  Indian  dependents,  who  were  willing  to  give  up  any 
other  of  their  nalioiud  usages  rather  than  this.  I'urchaH 
gives  the  following  description  of  some  of  the  ccremoniea 
utten'hmt  upon  the  disposal  of  prisonei's  taken  in  battle: 

"Their  captiues  they  eonuey  in  the  middest  of  their 
armic  home  to  their  teriitoiics,  and  thereuntoe  the  men 
will  not  stickc  to  give  their  sisters  or  daughters  to  r)cr- 
formc  all  the  duties  of  a  wife,  and  feed  them  with  the  best 
till  tlicy  redcmand  the  same  out  of  their  flesh.  ••■  *  When 
that  disniall  day  approeheth,  knowledge  is  given,  and  the 
men,  women,  and  children  assemble  to  the  place  appointed, 
and  there  passe  the  morning  in  drinking,  and  the  Captiuc 
(although  he  knowcth  the  drcadfull  issue)  danceth,  drink- 
etli,  and  frolickcs  it  with  the  best." 

'i'hcy  then  lead  him  about  the  town  by  a  rope:  "  Neither 
doth  he,  for  all  this,  hang  downe  his  head,  as  men  hero 
going  to  be  hanged,  but  with  incredible  courage  euibUwon- 
cth  his  owno  worthinesse."  Like  the  North  American 
Indians,  the  victim  boasts  of  his  ibrnier  exploits  against 
his  ca})tors,  with  every  species  oi'  taunt  and  provocation. 
lie  recounts  those  whom  he  has  assisted  to  devour,  and 
predicts  a  terrible  retribution  lor  his  own  destruction. 
"Tlien  they  bring  him  stones,  L  bid  him  reucngo  his 
death,  lie  hurleth  them  at  tiiose  that  stand  about  him, 
whereof  there  are  some  fourc  thousand,  and  hurteth 
diners." 

When  he  is  finally  divspatched,  his  temporary  wife 
"comes  to  the  carkassc,  and  spends  a  little  time  and  passion 
in  mourning,  but  her  Crocodiles  t(!ares  are  soone  dried, 


1 1 


I 


i  i 


i: 


616 


INDIAN  RACES   OF  AMEKICA. 


aid  the  humor  fals  into  licr  teeth,  which  "V/'ater  for  Ine 
first  morselh"  The  whole  process  of  dressing  and  devour- 
ing is  minutely  described. 

Bahia  was  settled  about  the  year  1550,  and  ten  years 
later  Rio  Janeiro  was  founded  by  the  Portuguese  governor, 
after  the  expulsion  of  the  French,  who  had  attempted  to 
gain  possession  of  that  region  of  country.  The  coast  set- 
tlements were  steadily  increasing  in  stability  and  power, 
but  not  without  further  contests  with  the  native  inhabit- 
ants. Of  these,  the  most  savage  and  dangerous  were  the 
Botocudos,  dwelling  in  the  intei'ior,  and  between  tlie  rivers 
Doce  and  Pardo,  from  the  fifteenth  to  the  twentieth  degree 
of  south  latitude.  They  have  always  been  considered  as 
being  among  the  most  repulsive  and  brutish  of  the  hu- 
man race.  They  are  sup})osed  to  be  the  same  race  as  the 
Aymores,  once  the  most  dangerous  enemies  of  the  Portu- 
guese settlers.  Their  natural  figure  and  the  conformation  of 
their  features  seem,  from  most  accounts,  to  be  by  no  means 
unpleasing.  Dwelling  in  a  forest  country,  their  complex- 
ion is  fairer  than  that  of  many  of  the  South  American 
Indians;  it  is  of  a  light  yellowish  copper  color,  and  suffi- 
ciently transparent  for  a  blush  to  be  perfectly  obvious. 
The  stories  of  their  frightful  and  hideous  appearance  may 
all  be  referred  to  one  most  barbarous  custom  of  mutilation 
and  deformity,  prevalent  among  them  from  the  earliest 
times.  This  is  the  insertion  of  a  large  wooden  plug  oi 
button  called  +he  "botoque"  into  a  slit  in  the  under  lip: 
similar  appendages  are  worn  at  the  ears. 

This  botoque  is  of  such  a  size  that  its  pressure  generally 
causes  the  lower  teeth  eventually  to  ftdl  out,  and  its  pro 
jcction  gives  the  most  hideously  uncouth  and  brutish 
appearance  to  the  countenance.  The  slit  is  made  and  the 
plug  is  inserted  during  childhood,  and  as  the  opening 
enlarges  with  time,  the  size  of  the  botoque  is  increased 
until  it  has  nyjrhcd  the  full  measure  of  defonrity  and 


1 1 


-Tl 


for  Ine 
(levour- 

n  years 
Dvernor,     I 
)ptc<l  to     I 
:oast  sct- 
L  power, 
inluibit- 
wcro  tlic 
lie  rivers 
uh.  degree 
idered  as 
'  the  lui- 
Lce  as  the 
be  Portu- 
mation  o) 
no  means 
complcx- 

merican 
aud  snfii- 

obvious. 

|anee  may 

lutilation 

le  earliest 

])lug    01 

.nder  lip: 


generally 
1(1  its  jn'o 
ll  brutish 
le  and  the 


1 1 


openi 


na 


o      I  ! 


increased 
lirity  and 


ii 


1 1 


!  I 


I  i 


!! 
II 


INDIAN  TRIBES  OF  BRAZIL. 


617 


inconvenience.  It  interferes  with  mastication,  and  is  every 
way  disgusting  and  troublesome,  but,  like  many  scarcely 
less  irrational  au.d  absurd  customs  among  enlightened  com- 
mmiitics,  it  retains  its. hold  to  the  present  day. 

When  the  botocpie  is  removed,  which  ojieration  is  as 
easily  effected  as  the  unbuttoning  a  coat,  a  disgusting  aper- 
ture is  disclosed,  through  which  tlie  loosened  and  distorted 
teeth  distinctly  appear.  Purchas  says  of  some  of  those 
wild  tribe  5  of  the  interior,  generally  called  Tapnyas,  tliat 
on  their  travels,  "they  do  carry  great  store  of  tobacco  with 
them;  and  continually  they  have  a  leaf  laid  along  their 
mouth,  between  the  lip  and  the  teeth;  and,  as  they  go, 
the  same  runneth  out  of  the  Jiole  that  they  have  in  their  li'ps." 

The  Botocudos  are  of  an  indolent  disposition,  but  Avithal 
capable  of  enduring  the  greatest  fatigue  when  occasion 
requires.  Their  muscular  development  is  remarkably  line, 
and  a  life  of  exposure  so  hardens  their  skin  that,  Avithout 
clothing,  they  can  with  perfect  ease  make  their  way  through 
tangled  brakes  which  would  effectually  im})ede  the  pro- 
gress of  a  European.  Their  huts,  implements,  and  manner 
of  life  are  not  unlike  those  of  the  other  Eastern  nations  of 
the  tropical  portion  of  South  America,  with  the  exception 
of  their  sleeping  accommodations.  The  hammock  is  not 
in  use  among  them,  but  rude  couches  of  bark,  &c.,  laid 
upon  the  ground,  are  all  that  they  require.  They  have 
no  boats  or  canoes,  and  it  has  been  said  of  them  tliat  they 
were  entirely  ignorant  of  the  art  of  swimming.  This 
a[ipears  to  be  an  error. 

'^riie  character  of  the  Botocudos  as  cannibals,  combined 
with  tl\e  repulsive  appearance  caused  by  the  b()to(}ue,  has 
given  them  a  worse  reputation  perhaps  than  thc}^  deserve. 
!Many  desirable  traits  are  observable  in  their  natural  char 
actcr,  and  t'neir  intellectual  ca])acity  docs  not  seem  to  be 
inferior  to  the  generality  of  South  American  Indians. 
Their  aversiv)n  to  labour  does  not  result  in  npathy,  nor  do 


I 

J: 


'I  . 


^j^ 


!l 


11 


I  i 


018 


IXDLVN  RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


we  perceive  in  them  tliat  gloom}^,  morose,  and  reserved 
demeanor  common  among  some  of  the  Western  Abori 
gines.     They  are  spoken  of  as  "gay,  facetious,  and  ready 
to  converse." 

Some  praise-worth}^  efforts  have  been  made  for  the  im- 
provement and  civih;^ation  of  this  race,  the  eflocts  of 
which  liavc  been  very  satisfactory.  Mr.  Pritcliard  quotes 
as  follows,  from  tlic  records  of  the  "Society  for  the  Pro- 
tection of  the  Aborigines:" 

"By  the  exertions  of  Guido  Marliere,  to  whom  com- 
munications were  made  on  the  part  of  this  society,  almost 
at  the  commencement,  Guido  Procrane,  a  Botocudo  In- 
dian of  great  native  talent,  was  introduced  to  the  blessings 
of  civilization  and  Christianity,  and  his  new  acquirements 
were  directed  to  the  amelioration  of  his  countrymen.  His 
exertions  have  been  crowned  with  signal  success,  and  four 
sections  of  the  barbarous  tribes  have  been  brought  under 
the  influence  of  civilization,  and  taught  to  cultivate  their 
soil,  from  which  they  have  raised  not  only  enough  for 
their  own  support,  but  a  surplus,  which  has  been  the  means 
of  rescuing  even  a  portion  of  the  white  Brazilians  from 
famine  and  starvation.  Useful  laws  have  been  introduced 
among  them,  and  Guido  Procrane,  in  the  criminal  code 
which  he  has  established,  has  set  an  example  which  legisla- 
tors, the  hereditary  professors  of  Christianity,  would  do  well 
to  imitate,  in  the  total  exclusion  of  capital  punishment.'' 


!l 


I  ! 


1  I 


J' 


INDIAN  TUTBE3  OF  BRAZIL. 


619 


!  I 


ClIArTKU    II. 


1 1 


1  ! 


SUCCESS  OF  THE    POHTUGUESR   AGAINST    TUE  NATIVES — THEIR    CON 

TESTS  AVrril    SETTLERS   Fliora   OTFEU    PorXTRIKS  OF  EUKOPE 

ENTiLISTI    COLONV  AT    FAHAIHA EXPULSION    OF  GUARANI 

TRIBES    FROM   TIIKIR    PorNTRV  ON   LA    PLATA DIVI- 
SION OF  HRA'/ILIAN  NATIONS DAILY  ROUTINE  OF 

INDIAN  LIFE  IN  THE  FORESTS — REFLECTIONS. 

To  continue  our  narrative  of  Portuguese  settlement  and 
colonization,  tlie  eflbrts  of  the  viceroy  Morn  da  Sa,  resulted 
in  the  reduction  of  tlie  savaQ;c  and  turbulent  Botocudos. 
In  tlio  desultory  warfare  of  the  time,  the  aid  of  such  In- 
dian allies  as  were  attached  to  the  royal  cause  was  of  sig- 
nal advantage. 

The  immense  extent  of  fruitful  sea-coast  along  the 
eastern  shores  of  Brazil,  invited  adventurers  from  various 
l*juropean  nations.  The  French,  as  we  have  seen,  Avere 
repelled  in  their  efforts  to  colonize  the  region  of  tlic  La 
Plata,  and  the  Portuguese  were  no  less  successful  in  expel- 
ing  intruders  from  other  quarters.  An  English  settlement 
had  been  commenced  at  Paraiba,  to  the  northward  of  l^'er- 
nambuco.  The  colonists  at  this  place,  says  Southey,  "con- 
nected themselves  with  the  native  women;  and  in  anotlicr 
generation  the  Anglo-Tupi  ]\[amalucos  might  have  been 
found  dangerous  neighbors,  if  the  governor  of  St.  Sebas- 
tians, steadily  pursuing  the  system  of  his  court,  had  not, 
in  the  fifth  vear  of  their  abode,  attacked  and  exterminated 
them.  They  who  escaped  from  the  merciless  war  wliicli 
tlie  Portuguese  waged  against  all  interlopers,  fled  into  the 
interior,  and  either  they  were  eaten  by  the  savages,  as  was 
believed,  or  lived  and  died  among  them,  becoming  sav- 
ages themselves." 

Long  and  wearisome  details  of  struggles  for  cm])irc; 
in  the  New  World  between  the  Portuguese,  Spanish,  and 


1 1 
1 1 

w 


i  ! 


!  ! 


I  I 


lliiit^ 


f.  I 


I'M 


H'-  "^f 


620 


INDIAN   RACES   OF  AMERICA. 


Dutcli,  occiipy  the  history  of  Brazil  until  the  establish- 
ment in  tliat  country  of  the  royal  family  of  Portugal,  in 
1808.  Few,  except  the  Jesuits,  seemed  to  have  any  care 
for  the  rights  of  the  native  population,  or  interest  in  their 
improvement.  These  missionaries — zealous  and  devoted 
in  whatever  cause,  whether  for  good  or  ill,  that  they  es- 
poused— drew  upon  themselves  no  trilling  persecution  hy 
their  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  Indians.  Upon  a  settlement 
of  the  limits  of  jurisdiction  on  the  La  Plata,  in  IToO,  be- 
tween the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  governments,  thirty 
thousand  of  the  Guarani  tribe  were  compelled  to  abandon 
their  homes.  These  Indians  had  been  objects  of  especial 
care  t®  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  and  in  the  resistanccwhich 
they  naturally  made  to  so  summary  a  removal,  they  in- 
volved their  spiritual  guides  in  difficulties. 

"The  Indians,"  says  Conder,  "rose  in  all  directions  to 
oppose  the  mandate ;  but  the  short  though  vigorous  resist- 
ance v/hich  they  made,  only  left  them  more  than  ever  in 
the  power  of  their  enemies.  Great  numbers  were  slaugh- 
tered, and  those  who  refused  to  submit  were  compelled  to 
leave  the  country.  *  *  In  the  year  1761,  when  Carlos 
III.  acceded  to  the  throne  of  Spain,  the  treaty  of  limits 
was  annulled ;  the  Guaranies  who  had  been  so  wantonly 
and  cruelly  expelled  were  instructed  to  return  to  their 
dilapidated  town  and  wasted  country,  and  the  Jesuits, 
resuming  their  benignant  administration,  exerted  them- 
selves  to  repair,  as  far  as  possible,  the  evils  that  had  been 
done." 

The  effects  of  the  Catholic  mission  in  Brazil  are  still 
visible  among  no  small  portion  of  the  aboriginal  inhabit- 
ants. Unfortunately  in  too  many  instances  the  religion 
which  they  now  profess  is  but  a  graft  upon  their  old 
superstitions. 

The  Indians  of  Brazil  arc  divided  into  a  great  number 
of  tribes,  differing  more  in  language  than  in  genci;'!  ap- 


J 


INDIAN  TRIBES  OF  BRAZIL. 


621 


n  over  in 


pcarance  cand  characteristics.  Tlio  Tapis,  who  were  tho 
most  extensively  difrused  over  the  coast  country  at  the  pe- 
riod of  the  lirst  European  discovery,  arc  greatly  reduced  in 
luunbers.  The  tribes  of  the  Yar  interior,  where  little  or  no 
intercourse  is  held  with  the  whites,  have  changed  but  little 
from  the  habits  and  appearance  of  their  ancestors.  Dr. 
Von  Martius  has  enumerated  no  less  than  two  hundred  and 
lift}^  distinct  tribes  or  nations  within  the  limits  of  B]'azil; 
many  of  them,  to  be  sure,  consisting  of  but  few  families 
or  individuals,  and  not  sulFiciently  distinct  one  from  an- 
other to  rend'^r  a  classification  useful  or  interesting.  This 
traveller  has  ^iven  a  very  lively  picture  of  the  life  and 
daily  routine  of  these  denizens  of  the  forest.  The  follow- 
ing sketch  is  selected  from  his  "Travels,"  and  transcribed 
in  an  article  upon  the  Brazilian  Indians,  to  be  found  in 
that  invaluable  periodical,  the  "Penny  ]\[agazine:" 

"As  soon  as  the  first  rays  of  the  sun  beam  on  the  hut 
of  the  Indian,  he  awakes,  rises  immediately,  and  goes  to 
the  door,  where  he  generally  spends  some  time  in  rubbing 
and  stretching  his  limbs. — Returning  into  the  hut,  he  looks 
for  the  still  live  embers  of  the  fire  of  the  day  before,  or 
lights  it  afresh  by  means  of  two  dry  sticks,  one  of  which 
he  sets  upon  the  other,  twirling  it  like  a  mill  till  it  kin- 
dles, and  then  he  adds  dry  grass  or  straw.  All  the  m:ile 
inhabitants  then  take  part  in  the  business;  sonic  dnig 
wood  out  of  the  forest;  otliers  heap  up  the  fire  between 
several  large  stones,  and  all  of  them  seat  themselves  round 
it  in  a  scuatting  attitude.  Without  looking  at  or  sjioak- 
ing  to  each  other,  they  often  remain  for  hours  togtitber 
in  this  position,  solely  engaged  in  keeping  in  the  firo, 
or  roasting  Spanish  potatoes,  bananas,  ears  of  maize, 
&c.,  in  the  ashes  for  breakfiist.  A  tame  monkey,  or  S(jme 
other  of  their  numerous  domestic  aninals  with  wliieh  tliey 
nlav.  serves  to  amuse  them.  The  first  employment  (A'  llie 
W(Muen,  on  leaving  their  hammocks,  is  to})aiiit  themselves 


iB 


s-'- 


■n^  ■ 


it 


[[■ 


1 1 
f  i 


1 1 


622 


INDIAN  IIACES  OF  AMERICA. 


and  tlicir  cliildion,  on  vvliicli  each  goes  to  her  domestic 
occu])a+ion,  stripping  the  tlireads  from  the  ]\'dm-troos. 
manufacturing  nets,  making  earthen-ware,  rubbing  man- 
dioca,  and  poundiiig  mai/e,  from  which  they  make  a  cool- 
ing beverage.  Others  go  to  their  little  plantations  to  fetch 
maize,  mandioca,  and  beans;  or  into  the  foresi  to  look 
for  wild  fruits  and  roots.  When  the  men  have  finished 
their  frugal  breakfast,  they  prepare  their  bows,  arrows, 
strings,  <.^c." 

As  the  heat  of  the  day  increases,  'he  Indian  takes  his 
bath,  and  then  systematically  sets  about  his  day's  hunt; 
"the  tapir,  monkics,  ^^igs,  arraadilloes,  pascas,  and  agou- 
tis, are  his  favorite  dishes,  but  he  readily  eats  deer,  birds, 
turtles,  and  fish,  and  in  case  of  need,  contents  himself  with 
serpents,  toads,  and  larvas  of  large  insects  roasted." 

The  general  tenor  of  this  savage  life,  as  well  as  the  con- 
struction of  dwellings,  implements,  boats,  &c.,  is  not  unlike 
what  has  already  been  described  relating  to  the  Indians  of 
Guiana.  The  same  rude  huts  of  palm,  open,  or  closed 
upon  the  most  exposed  quarter  b}^  thatch  or  wicker-work, 
the  hammocks,  the  simplest  form  of  pottery  and  wooden 
vessels,  and  the  almost  invariable  arms  and  weapons  of 
the  savage,  suffice  for  their  necessities,  and  for  what  they 
know  of  luxury  and  comfort. 

Some  of  the  remote  tribes  are  said  to  be  still  addicted 
to  the  old  national  propensity  for  cannibalism.  "Infanti- 
cide is  still  more  common ;  and  many  tribes  put  the  aged 
and  infirm  to  death.  Dr.  Von  Afartius  states  that  the 
Guaicuru  women  never  rear  any  children  before  their 
thirtieth  year;  the  Guanas  often  bury  their  female  chil- 
dren alivC;  ..nd  even  the  mothers  e'xpose  their  new-born 
infants;  and  parental  affection  is  a  thing  unknown  on  the 
father's  side." 

Can  we  indulge  any  ration?]  liope  that  these  barbarous 
nations  will  ever  be  brought,  as  a  distinct  race,  within  the 


ll 


1 1 

ll 


1 1 


3r  clomcstic 
]:)alm-troos, 
3bii]g  man- 
lakc  a  cool- 
)ns  to  fetch 
SAC  to  look 
v^e  finislicd 
vs,  arrows, 

^  takes  bis 
ay's  liunt; 
and  agou- 
ieer,  birds, 
iiiself  with 
ed." 

iS  tlie  con- 
not  unlike 
Indians  of 
or  closed 
ker-v,-ork,     i 
d  wooden    ' 
3apons  or     | 
vbat  tliej    i 


il 


1 1 


M 


INDIAN  TRIBES  OF  BKAZIL. 


028 


pale  jf  civilization ;  or  must  tlio  usual  courses  of  extinc- 
tion or  amalgamation  bo  the  only  means  by  which  tho. 
immense  and  luxuriantly  fertile  regions  which "^thev  inhabit 
shall  eventually  be  improved  for  the  support  of  the  mil- 
lions that  they  are  capable  of  sustaining?  The  Trorpiois 
within  the  stare  of  New  York,  and  the  Cherokee  settle- 
ments west  of  the  Mississippi,  are  almost  the  only  pr(>s[)er- 
ous  and  civilized  districts  inhabited  by  Americaii  Tndiims. 
It  will  be  a  most  gratifying  rcsidt  if  the  next  generation 
shall  \vitnes3  the  original  proprietors  of  this  vfist  country 
taking,  in  the  persons  of  their  representatives,  an  equal 
place  among  its  European  occupants.  A  right  state  of 
feeling,  irpon  the  subject  of  what  is  due  to  the  Indian, 
seems  to  be  irpon  the  ascendant  in  the  United  States 
except  in  those  districts  where  there  is  still  a  conflict  of 
interest  between  the  different  races. 


\J 


addicted 
"Infanti- 
the  aged 
that  the 
)rc  their 
^alc  chil- 
lew-born 
n  on  the. 

irbarous 
thin  the 


1 1 


i! 


( . ' 

i   ■.'  I' 

U 

i 

If 
111 

Jl 


I 


iiif 


r 


THE  PAMPAS  INDIANS. 


THEIR  IIOnSKMANSHIP — THEIR  MODE  OF  LIKE SIR  FRANCIS  HEAD  3 

DESCKII'TIONS  OF  THE    RACE FEMALE  CAPTIVES  AMONG  THE  IN- 
DIANS  TRADING  VlSIl'S  TO  EUROPEAN  SETTLEMENTS CLASSI- 
FICATION OF  TRir.i;s — CHANGE  IN  THEIR  CONDITION  BY    THE 
INTRODUCTION  Oi"  EUROPEAN   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS. 

The  vast  plains  or  pampas  of  Buenos  Ayrcs  arc  inliab- 
ited — wliorc  European  settlements  have  not  yet  extended 
— by  a  ^vild  and  singular  raec  of  Indians.  To  tlicm  the 
horse  is  all  that  the  rein-deer  is  to  the  Laplanders,  consti- 
tuting their  chief  support,  and  almost  their  only  enjoyment. 
Nearly  destitute  of  clothing,  and  careless  of  the  ordinary 
conveniences  and  comforts  of  life,  they  are  trained  from 
infancy  to  scour  the  plains,  often  without  saddles,  upon 
the  wild  horses  who  roam  at  will  over  the  boundless  ex- 
panse of  meadow.  The  world  has  never  produced  such 
niaa;nificent  horsemen:  "The  Gauchos,"  savs  Sir  Francis 
Head,  "who  themselves  ride  so  bcautifidly,  all  declare  that 
it  is  impossible  to  ride  with  an  Indian ;  for  that  tlie  Indians' 
horses  are  better  than  theirs,  and  also  that  they  have  such 
a  way  of  urging  on  their  horses  by  their  cries,  and  by  a 
peculiar  motion  of  their  bodies,  that  even  if  they  were  to 
change  horses,  the  Indians  would  beat  them.  The  Gau- 
chos all  seemed  to  dread  very  much  the  Indians'  spears. 
They  said  thai  some  of  the  Indians  charo;ed  without  cither 
saddle  or  bridle,  and  that  in  some  instances  they  were  hang- 
ing almost  under  the  bellies  of  their  horses,  and  shrieking 
so  that  the  horses  were  afraid  to  face  them." 


1 1 


fl 


IS  IIKAD  3 
THE  IN- 
■CLASSl- 

lY  niE 


,rc  inluab- 
cxtendcd 
them  the 
rs,  consti- 
iijoymcnt. 
ordhiary 
ncd  from 
les,  upon 
lull  CSS  ex- 
ccd  such 
iT  Francis 
:l;irc  that 
Indians' 
liavc  such 
id  by  a 
{  wore  to 
The  Gau- 
spcars. 
iut  either 


ler 


•e  hang- 


1 1 


[jhrielving 


THE  PAMPAS  INDIANS. 


625 


The  whole  lives  of  these  singular  people  arc  spent  upon 
norsehack,  a  natural  result  of  which  is  an  in(\apa('ity  for 
other  ^;necies  of  exertion.  Walking  is  intolerable  to  tlieni : 
the  fiitiguc  and  tediousness  of  such  a  mode  of  travelling 
over  an  unliinitcxl  level,  would  be  disheartening  to  any, 
more  particularly  to  those  wiio  have  continually  availcl 
themselves  of  the  services  of  the  horse. 

Something  of  the  ordinary  system  of  Indijm  govcn-inuinit 
exists  among  the  numerous  tribes,  but  they  are  all  nf  unset- 
tled and  roving  habits,  shifting  their  quarters  contiiiMally 
in  search  of  better  pasturage,  and  subsisting  chiefly  upon 
maros'  flesh.  Wherever  they  betake  themselves,  tliey 
drive  before  tliem  great  herds  of  horses,  and  the  skill 
with  which  they  will  catch,  mount,  and  manage  a  fresh 
animal,  when  the  one  they  have  been  riding  is  wearied,  is 
unequalled. 

The  author  above  quoted,  whose  characteristically  graphic 
description  of  a  gallop  across  the  pampas  has  won  so  ex 
tensive  a  reputation,  observes  of  the  Indinns:  "The  occn- 
})ation  of  their  lives  is  war,  vrhich  tliey  consider  is  th.ir 
noble  and  most  natural  employment:  and  they  dee  arc 
that  the  proudest  attitude  of  the  human  figure  is  when, 
bending  over  his  horse,  man  is  riding  at  his  enemv.  The 
principal  weapon  wliicli  they  use  is  a  spear  eighteen  fixit 
long;  they  manage  it  with  great  dexterity,  and  are  able 
to  give  it  a  tremulous  motion  which  has  often  shaken  tiio 
sword  from  the  hand  of  their  European  adversaries."  In 
addition  to  the  spear,  they  mcdvc  use,  both  in  war  and 
hunting",  of  a  most  elTectivc  instrument  called  the  hallos. 
This  is  a  species  of  slung-shot,  consisting  of  a  stout  leathern 
thoniz:  with  a  ball  of  lead  attached  to  either  end.  A  ic.rn- 
ble  blow  can  be  struck  with  this  weapon,  and,  as  a  missile, 
the  Indians  use  it  with  great  dexterity  and  effect  within  a 
moderate  rano-e.  The  lasso,  or  long  noose  attached  to  the 
saddle,  is  also  an  effective  implement. 
40 


.4 


i  , 
i 


"f-^ 


I.  J! 


.12  (} 


IN'hfAN  liACKS  OF  AMEUICA. 


■  (1  ,■  ■ 


>  ' 


% " 


m    : 


Between  theia  aixl  tliu  Giiiiclio.s,  a  scarcely  less  wild  nice 
of  cavaliers,  principally  of  Spanish  descent,  the  most  deadly 
hostility  constantly  prevails.  Tn  the  cx[)Osed  districts,  rude 
foi'tifications  are  erected  I'l'r  the  protection  of  the  white 
inhabitants  against  Indian  incursions.  'J'he  })riiieip;d  de- 
fence of  these  fortresses  is  said  to  be  a  narrow  ditch,  over 
which  the  Indiiui  horses,  accustomed  to  the  unobstructed 
level  of  the  prairie,  I'efusc  to  leap,  and  nothing  could  in- 
duce their  rider  to  attem})t  any  thing  upon  foot.  Upon 
occasion  of  a  successful  assault,  the  savages  show  little 
mercy.  All  the  unfortunate  whites  are  nuirdered,  except 
such  of  the  young  women  as  appear  sullieiently  attractive 
to  make  desirable  wives.  "  Whether  the  })oor  girls  can 
ride  or  not,"  says  Head,  "tlicy  are  instantly  placed  upon 
liorses,  and  when  the  hasty  })1  under  of  the  hut  is  con- 
cluded they  arc  driven  tiwuy  from  its  smoking  ruins  and 
Irom  the  horrid  scene  which  surrounds  it." 

"At  a  puce  v/hieh  in  ]']urope  is  uidcnown,  they  gallop 
over  the  trackless  regions  before  them,  fed  upon  mares' 
flesh,  sleeping  on  the  ground,  until  they  arrive  in  the  In- 
dian's territory,  wlien  they  have  instantly  to  adopt  the 
wild  life  of  their  captors. 

"  I  Avas  informed  by  a  very  intelligent  French  oIHccr,  who 
was  of  high  rank  in  the  Peruvian  army,  that  on  friLiidly 
terms,  he  had  once  passed  througii  part  of  tlie  teri'it(.M'y 
of  these  Pampas  Indians,  in  order  to  attack  a  Iribc  who 
Vtcrc  at  war  with  them,  and  tliat  he  had  met  several  of  the 
Aoung  women  who  had  been  thus  carried  off  by  the  [ndians. 

"  He  told  me  that  he  had  offered  to  obtain  permission  for 
them  to  return  to  their  country,  and  tluit  he  had,  in  addi- 
tion, oifered  them  large  sums  of  money  if  tliey  would,  in 
the  mean  while,  act  as  interpreters;  but  they  all  replied 
that  no  inducement  in  tlie  woi-ld  should  ever  make  them 
]e;ive  their  husbands,  en'  iheli  children,  and  that  they  were 
quite  delighted  with  the  life  they  led." 


I  ! 


ii 

:   I 


jl 

I ; 


THK   r.XMI'AS   INDIANH. 


C27 


Id  nico 
deadly 
ts,  rude 
)  white 
ip;il  dc- 
;li,  over 
^Iructcd 
)iild  in- 
Upon 
)\v  little 
,  excc'iit 
^tractive 
;ii'ls  can 
od  upon 
,  is  c(ju- 
lins  and 


1 1 


ii 


ly  g-^i^*n; 

I  mares' 

the  Iii- 

[lopt  tlic 


leer,  who 
fi'iuully 
tcrrit(.»ry 
•11  )v'  who 
[;il  1)1' the 

Indians. 
L-sion  for 

in  addi- 

^ould,  in 
replied 
Ike  them 

ley  were 


I  ! 


Ii 


I  ! 


There  is  certainly  sotnethin^  Htriin.^('ly  fasi'itiatin^  in  tlm 
idea  of  a  wild  lifi!,  uiifettci'ed  hy  the  artideial  restraints 
of  soeiety,  and  the  eunstaut  call  (or  exertion  and  eare  inci- 
dent to  civili/ed  exist(!ncc.  We  see  that  in  a  majority  of 
cases  the  inhabitants  of  even  the  most  desolate  and  inhos- 
pitahle  re^^ions  of  the  earth,  after  experiencing  the  coni- 
ibrts  of  civilization,  are  still  glad  to  return  to  the  scenes 
and  habits  to  \vhieh  tluy  were  eai'ly  inured,  it  is  easier 
lor  the  educated  and  enlightened  European  to  discard  the 
advantages  wl.ieh  he  lias  inherited,  and  to  adopt  the  hab- 
it': and  life  of  the  savage,  especially  in  a  genial  and  spon- 
taneously productive  clime,  tiian  for  the  latter  to  give  up 
his  wild  freedom  for  the  responsibilities  and  cares  of 
civilization. 

In  times  of  peace  the  free  rovers  of  the  South  Ameri- 
can 2)ampu-!  make  occasional  visits  to  the  European  towns 
and  settlements  for  the  pur})ose  of  trade.  ^Phcy  bring  in 
such  few  articles  of  peltry,  &c.,  as  they  deal  in,  to  barter 
for  sugar,  "knives,  spurs,  and  lirpior."  Delivering  np  all 
their  dangerous  weapons  to  their  chief,  the}'  devote  them- 
selves, at  (irst,  to  a  regular  drinking-bout,  after  recovering 
from  wdiich,  they  offer  their  goods  to  the  trades-people. 
I'hey  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  money,  or  the  ordina- 
ry rules  of  weight  and  measure,  but  designate,  by  some 
mark  of  their  own,  the  quantity  of  the  commodity  they 
require  in  exchange  for  their  own  stock. 

The  Pampas  Indians  arc  classified  as  b^^onging  to  the 
great  Patagonian  or  Pampean  groupe,  which  is  divided 
into  the  following  nations:  the  Tehuclche,  Puelche,  Char- 
rua,  Mboeobi  or  Toba,  Mataguayo,  Abiponcs,  and  Lengua. 
That  portion  of  which  we  have  been  .speaking  in  this 
cliapter,  consists  principally  o!  the  Puelche:  their  ancestors 
were  found  further  north,  bordering  upon  the  tribes  of  Para- 
guay and  upon  the  first  arrival  and  settlement  of  Europeans 
upon  the  La  Plata,  proved  most  formidable  enemies. 


''\l 


:.:U 


I'.- 


^hI 


G23 


INI)IAN    HACKS   OF    AMKlilCA. 


They  also  iiihubilcd  tli(»  ciistrni  iiioiintiiiiioiis  irgiorisof 
Cliili,  where  iJic}'  wri'i;  allifd  to  iiml  fhiss.d  witli  tin;  iio- 
lilc  iiiid  warlike  Araut.'iiiiiiiiis.  MoliiKi,  in  his  arcoiml,  mI' 
lliiit  race,  says  of  tlut  I'liclclios:  "These,  alLlioii;^h  tiny- 
eoiilbnn  to  the  general  eiislonis  of  the  nation,  al\va\s  dis- 
(!<)vei'  a  greater  rudeness  and  sava,Li,t'nt\'«s  of  manners. 
Their  name  signifies  l^^astern-men.  *  *  The  Araueaniaiis 
liold  these  mountaineers  in  high  estimation  for  tlie  im- 
])ortant  scrviees  whieh  tliey  oeeasionally  reniU'r  them,  and 
for  the  fidehty  whieh  they  have  always  observed  ia  their 
alliance  with  them." 

'J'hc  first  town  built  upon  the  site  of  the  ])rcsent  city  of 
r)U(Mios  Ayres,  in  lo.'J  [,  was  destroyed  by  the  Indians;  and 
their  bold  attacks  repelled  the  S])anish  adventurei's  in  tliis 
(juartcr  until  loSO.  Kvcn  then  they  renewed  their  hos- 
tilities, but  the  fall  of  their  chief  cacique  in  battle,  and 
the  more  efHeient  fortilleation  of  the  new  town,  balRed 
thiMu  and  caused  their  entire  defeat. 

In  these  early  times  their  habits  were  of  course  dillcrent 
from  what  wc  may  uow  notice,  as  horses  and  cattle  were 
not  intnxluccd  until  the  arrival  of  Kuropeans.  The  emu 
oi'  American  ostrich,  still  an  inhabitant  of  the  Pampas, 
the  deer,  sloth,  and  small  game,  su])i)lied  them  with  Ibod. 
The  unprecedented  natural  increase  of  cattle  and  horses, 
turned  free  to  roam  over  the  rich  grassy  savannahs,  sup- 
plit^d  them  with  entirely  new  resources. 

'^I'hose  Indians  of  Buenos  Ayres,  Paraguay,  and  other 
southern  provinces,  who  live  in  the  midst  of  the  white 
settlements,  ai'c  mostly  Christian  converts,  at  least  in  name 
and  the  observance  of  reli<!;ious  f(;rmuhe. 

I'hc  extent  to  which  the  difl'erent  nations  of  Europe, 
Africa,  and  America  have  become  mixed  in  most  of  the 
South  American  provinces,  renders  any  thing  like  accurate 
enumeration  of  the  amount  of  the  present  Indian  popula- 
tion difficult,  if  not  impossible. 


THE  I'ATAGONIANS. 


EARt.Y  KXAOOF.nATKD  HRPORTS  Cf^NrKRNINO  TItKM — IIACE  TO  WlIK  II 
TIIKV   IlKI.ONn NATintKor  Tlin  ('nir.NTIiV — TKlUiA    DEr,  FUEGO 

(;r..Ni;uAi<  dkschii'tio.v  and  classii'ication  of  the  inhaiut- 

•ANTS — fAl'TAIN   FIT/.liOV's  NA  H  I!  ATI  VK — I'lIVSlCAI,  CONFOIl- 
HATIONdF  Till-;  NAl'IVKS — SCANTINESS  OF  TIIKIlt  CLOTHING 

TIlKli;   lll'TS,   HKSOIIU'KS  FOIl   FOOD,  ETC. FUROIANS 

CAKRIEI)  TO  ENGLAND  IIV  FITZIIOV ATTKMl'T  AT  THE 

INTIJODUCTION  OF  AcilUCULTURE  ON  THE  ISLAND — 

PECHERAIS    DESCUIIiED    IN  WILKEs'  NAIiUATIVE 

OF  THE  IT.   states'  EXI'EOKINC  EXPEDITION. 


Most  extravagant  reports  were  circulated,  in  early  times, 
of  the  gigantic  size  of  the  natives  of  the  southern  extremity 
of  tlie  American  continent.  These  were  tK^t  wholly  fabu- 
lous, but  merely  exaggerations,  as  from  recent  travellers 
we  have  accurate  descriptions  of  varioas  tribes,  among 
which  the  average  height  of  the  men  greatly  exceeds  that 
of  maidvind  in  general.  The  Tehuelches  in  particular, 
although  less  warlike  and  dangerous  than  many  other 
nations,  are  noted  ibr  their  gigantic  proportions,  '^i'hey 
arc  said  to  be  more  than  six  feet  in  height,  upon  an  aver- 
age, and  some  of  tluMa  ^'ousiderably  exceed  that  measure: 
'i'licy  are  muscular,  .'ii'd  athletic  in  proportion. 

The  Patagoiiian  tribes  are  iuchulcd  viuder  the  same 
general  classification  with  the  Pueh.'hcs  of  the  jKunpas,  and 
the  numerous  nations  further  north,  spread  over  the  vast 
and  indeterminate  region  denominated  Chaco,  between 
3'aniguay  ;ind  Chili.  Over  the  extensive  ])lains,  and  table- 
hiiid  between   the  7\ndcs  and  the  eastern  sen-board,  the 


i    I 


■■''?.  I^i 


i! 


I  ! 


!i 


1 1 


1 1 


iVoO 


INDIAN   RACES  OF  A'METUCA. 


wild  tribes  (;f  Patagonia  wander  in  undistnrLed  freedom. 
Tlicir  manner  of  life  is  similar  to  tliat  of  tlu;  I'ainpas  In- 
dians of  Southern  Buenos  Ayres,  as  wild  horses  and  caltlo 
have  spread  over  the  northern  parts  of  their  eountiy  in 
almost  equal  abundance.  The  same  fierce,  untameable 
.spii'it,  and  the  same  carelessness  of  the  comforts  of  life, 
with  abil!._^  to  endure  the  extremes  of  exposui'c  and  la- 
tignc,  charactL'rize  all  th(.\s(!  races  of  centaurs.  Even  in 
the  cold(!r  regions  of  the  extreme  south,  little  in  the  \v;iy 
wf  clothing  is  worn,  and  the  nal:ed  body  of  the  savage  is 
cxj)0sed  to  snows  and  storms,  against  which  the  c(>vci'iiig 
of  the  European  would  afford  incom})letc  protection. 

"These  men,"  says  Purchas,  speaking  of  those  nc^irtln; 
straits  of  Magellan,  "both  Giants  and  others,  went  eitlnM- 
wholly  iiaked,  or  so  clothed,  as  they  seemed  not  to  dreiid 
tlic  cold,  which  is  yet  there  so  violent,  tliat  besides  t'  ; 
mountaine-to])pcs,  alway  ^couered  with  Snow,  their  ver_y 
Summers,  in  the  middest  thereof,  freeth  them  not  from  ice." 

A  great  portion  of  Patagonia  is  sterile  and  l)arren,  desti- 
tute of  timber,  and  covered  only  with  a  kind  of  coarse  grass, 
or  with  thorny  sln'ubs.  The  country  rises  in  a  series  of 
terraces  from  the  low  eastern  sea-coast  to  the  range  of  the 
Andes,  The  northern  districts  are  in  many  parts  fertih^ 
and  heavily  timbered. 

Crossing  the  Straits  of  Ahigellan,  w(^  find  one  of  the  most 
miserable  and  desolate  countries  on  the  globe.  IVrra  d(^l 
Euego,  tlie  land  of  lire,  so  called  because  of  the  numerous 
fires  seen  upon  its  coast  by  tlr  early  navigatoi-s,  is  a  cold 
and  barren  island.  '^Phe  surface  of  the  country  is  either 
rocky  and  mountainous,  or  of  such  a  cold  and  miiy  soil 
as  to  obstruct  travel  and  improvement.  Tlic  forests  are 
rendered  nearly  impassable  by  under-growth.  The  inhab- 
itants are  partly,  as  would  appear,  of  the  same  race  with 
the  Patagonians,  but  as  a  body  they  are  giuierally  classc-d 
witii   the  Andian  Croupe,  and  considered  to  have  some 


I! 


;  I 


ii 


!  i 


I  , 


Ii] 


■,<,'• 


THE  PATAGONIANS. 


(;;u 


:i.'V,iiity  to  llic  Arnuc.'ii'.iaiis.  "One  (l(\'^eri])1;on,"  pay,' 
Tritcluird,  "is  opplicubh.'  to  both  iiutious.  Their  heads 
are  proi)ortionahly  ]arg«';  tlieir  J'uee-;  ioui;il,  witli  projoctiii;.',- 
check -l)oiics,  h\rgc  mouths,  thick  hj'S,  short  Rattenod  nose.^, 
\vith  Avidc  nostrils;  tlieir  eves  are  lu/ri;';oiit;dlv  j)laced,  and 
not  inclined;  otherwise  their  countenance  would  a|)proxi- 
matc  greatly  to  that  of  the  noniiidic  Tartars:  they  have 
little  beard;  their  forc'heads  are  Jiarrow,  and  falling  back; 
their  chins  brojid  and  short.'' 

Among  the  most  interestin-j  aeeounts  of  these  Indians 
is  that  given  by  Ca})tain  Fitzi'ov,  in  the  "jMarrativo  of  the 
Voyages  of  the  Adventure  and  the  Ik-agde."  Ijicutenant 
Charles  AVilkcs,  connnander  of  the  TTnitcd  States'  explor- 
ing expedition,  has  also  very  graphically  described  the  ap- 
pearance and  peculiarities  (»f  tlie  people  an.d  country. 

Fitzroy  estimajtes  the  whole  population  at  about  thrci; 
thousand  adults.  They  are  divided  into  fivc^  dilferent  ti'ibcs 
or  nations,  viz:  the  ^'acanas,  '^rekcen.ieas,  Alikhoolip, 
Peehei'ais,  and  ITuemids.  'J'he  name  of  PcchcrrLis  was  be- 
stowed by  Bougainville  (as  deseri[itive  of  their  mode  of  sub- 
sistence) upon  tho.-e coast  b;(liansv,hol  ave  b(>en  considered 
as  belonging  to  the  Araueanian  frniily.  '^i'iie  Yaeanas 
ap{x\'ir  to  be  the  same  with  the  nei;.'"hboring  Patagonians. 

The  separate  tribes  (liffer  coD.'-idci-ably  in  tlunr  ph^'sical 
(hivelopmeut,  but  the  generality  of  these  islanders  present 
a.  v,'r(>tchcd  and  miserable  aspect  of  deformity.  Their 
withered  and  emaciated  limlis  are  in  sirongcontrast to  the 
breadth  of  the  chest  and  the  size  of  the  at)d()men,  and 
the;  scpiatting  position  alw.'iys  assumed  hy  th(?ni  when  at 
rest,  causes  the  skin  of  the  knee-joirit  to  become  stretched 
and  loose:  when  standing,  it  hangs  in  unsightly  folds. 
Their  eves  are  almost  universally  inflamed  and  sore  from 
the  effects  of  the  smoke  in  their  wigwams.  There  are  few 
races  upon  the  globe  wdio  bear  so  strongly  the  murks  of 
want  and  destitution. 


I ' 


1 1 


I ' 


jl 


■  I 


M 


I 


I 


(m 


fju 
lii 


1.4'  >■' 


m,   > 


|ii 


1  I 


! 


632 


INDIAN  llACES  OF  A:MEliICA. 


Unlike  tliG  natives  of  tlie  cold  climes  of  Northern  Amer- 
ica, the  Fuegians  totally  neglect  the  prccantion  of  fortify- 
ing themselves  against  the  severities  of  winter  hy  -warm 
and  comfortable  clothing.  The  majority  of  tlie  men  go 
almost  entirely  naked.  A  single  skin  of  the  guanaco  (a 
sonthern  quadruped  of  the  genus  of  the  llama),  or  of  the 
dillerent  species  of  seal,  thrown  over  the  shoulders,  and, 
in  a  few  instances,  reduced  to  the  semhlancc  of  a  garment, 
by  a  gii'dlc,  is  all  that  is  seen  in  the  way  of  clotliing. 
Some  slight  fdlets  arc  worn  about  the  head,  rather  from 
a  fancy  for  ornament  than  as  a  covering.  The  females 
usually  wear  an  entire  gnanaco  skin,  in  the  loose  fold  of 
whieli,  al,H)\'e  the  belt,  they  curry  their  infants:  a  more 
ccjuvenient  method  than  that  adojited  in  some  northern 
climes,  of  stowing  the  child  in  the  huge  boot. 

The  huts  which  they  inhabit  arc  built,  much  after  the 
fashion  of  the  oi'dinary  Indian  wigwam,  of  poles  bent  to- 
gether at  the  top,  or  of  stiff  stakes  placed  in  the  form  of 
a  cone.  These  rude  dwellings  are  neither  tight  nor  cum- 
foi'taljlc •  they  are  generally  intended  merely  for  temporary 
domiciles,  as  the  necessity  for  constant  migration  in  search 
of  the  products  of  the  sea  and  coast,  renders  any  perma- 
nent settlement  impracticable.  The  arts  of  agriculture  arc 
entirely  unknown  or  disregarded.  Sundry  attem|)ts  have 
been  made  to  introduce  the  cultivation  of  such  vegetables 
as  the  soil  is  adapted  to  producing,  but  the  ignoi'ance  and 
barbarity  of  the  inhabitants  ju'cvcnted  their  n})})reciation 
of  the  advantages  which  would  result  from  the  operation, 
and  the  experiments  utterly  failed. 

]\rost  of  the  Fuegians  are  suj')])lied  with  roughly-con- 
structed bark  canoes.  In  the  centre  of  these  a  fiie  is 
alwa^'s  kept  burning  upon  a  bed  of  sand  or  clay.  l'"ire  is 
obtained  by  striking  sjiarks  from  the  iron  pyrites  upon  a 
tinder  j)repared  from  some  dried  fungus,  or  moss,  which 
materials  arc  always  kept  at  hand;  but  the  diliiculty  of 


;  I 


i! 


1 1 


I  Amcr- 

fortifv- 

y  wurni 

rruMi  go 

anai'()  (a 
r  of  the 
}TS,  arid,     I 

ram  lent,    ! 

I 

ilothiug.     ] 
icr  from 

females 
3  fold  of 

a  more 
nortliern 

after  tire 
bent  to- 
i  form  of 
lor  cuui- 
inporary 
n  scareli 
pcrma- 
turc  arc 
)ts  liavc 
'potables 
nee  and 
eeiation 
icration, 

dy-con- 

fire  is 

I'ii'e  is 

I  upon  a 
\vhi(';li 

lidty  of 


li 


;  t 


THE  PATAGONIANS. 


boo 


I  I 

! 
.i 


obtaining  a  flame  by  tliese  means  is  the  probal)le  reason 
for  th(nr  care  in  preserving  the  embers  in  their  canoes. 

As  we  have  mentioned,  they  raise  no  vegetable  food, 
and  the  natural  products  of  the  country  are  exceedingly 
scanty.  All  that  the  inhabitants  can  procure  to  vary  their 
animal  diet  offish,  seals,  shell-fish,  kc,  consists  of  "a  few 
berries,  as  the  cranbeny  and  the  berry  of  the  ai'butus; 
also  a  fungus  like  the  oak-aj^ple,  Avliieh  grows  on  the  birch- 
tree.  AVith  the  exception  of  tlicsc  spontaneous  produc- 
tions, and  dead  ■whales  thrown  occasionally  upon  the 
coast,  the  rest  of  their  food  must  be  obtained  by  their  own 
perseverance,  activity,  and  sngacity." 

A  race  of  dogs  is  domesticated  among  the  Fucgians,  by 
the  assistance  of  which  the  labor  and  difficulty  of  hunting 
the  guaiiaco,  otter,  d^e.,  is  materially  alleviated.  The 
weapt)ns  used  in  war  or  for  the  chase  are  bows  and  arrows, 
short  bone-headed  lances,  clubs,  and  slings.  The  Fuegians 
are  adepts  in  the  use  of  the  last-mentioned  implement,  and 
hurl  stones  with  great  force  and  accuracy. 

^riiey  have  no  means  of  preserving  a  store  of  provision 
in  times  of  plenty,  and  arc  consequently  liable  to  suffer 
greatly  from  famine  when  storms  or  other  causes  cut  them 
off  from  the  usual  resources  of  the  sea.  They  will  some- 
times bury  a  quantity  of  whale's  blubber  in  the  sand,  and 
devour  it  in  an  offensive  condition,  when  pressed  by  hun- 
ger. ^^h\  Captain  Fitzroy's  narrative  there  is  an  account 
of  a  party  of  the  natives  who  were  in  a  famishing  state, 
on  whirh  some  of  the  tribe  departed,  observing  that  they 
would  return  in  four  'sleeps'  with  a  supply  of  food.  On 
the  (itlh  day  they  arrived  in  a  state  of  great  exhaustion, 
each  man  carrying  two  or  three  pieces  of  whalc-blubbci-, 
in  a  half-jnitrid  state,  and  which  appeared  as  if  it  had  been 
buried  in  the  sand.  A  liole  was"  made  in  each  piece  through 
wdii(*li  the  man  carrying  it  inserted  his  liea',1  and  neck." 
liep'jrt  says  that,  as  a  last  resource,  when  other  food  can- 


I 


i. 


II 


1 


63-1 


IXDIAJN-   RACES  OF  AMERICA. 


not  be  obtained,  the  Fuegians  kill  and  feed  upon  tlic  older 
and  more  unserviecable  members  of  their  own  eommunity. 

The  bi'ncvolcnt  Fitzroy,  deeply  interested  in  the  welfiiro 
of  these  unfortunate  islanders,  made  an  attempt,  in  I8o0, 
to  eifect  some  inij)rovement  in  their  condition,  lie  took 
four  of  tlicm  v/iih  him  lo  I'higland,  one  of  whom  died  of 
the  small-pox  shortly  after  landing.  The  others  were 
maintained  and  instructed,  at  the  captain's  own  expense, 
until  October  of  the  following  year,  when  ho  took  them 
Oil  board  the  Ceagle  to  rciturn  to  their  homes,  and  use  their 
influence  in  introducing  the  arts  and  comforts  of  civiliza- 
tion. One  ]\ratLlie\vs  accompanied  them  from  li^ngland, 
with  the  purpose  of  assisting  their  efforts  among  their 
countrymen. 

Arriving  at  Terra  del  l^\icgo,  wigwams  were  built,  and 
a  garden  was  laid  out  and  planted  with  '^'ar^ous  European 
esculents.  Ciiriosit}'-  and  astonishment  were  the  lirst  feel- 
ings excited  by  these  operations;  but  after  the  departure 
of  the  ea]>tain,  the  rude  natives,  unable  to  comprehend  the 
motives  for  the  experiment,  and  incapable  of  a])prcciating 
the  advantages  in  store  for  them,  destroyed  the  little  plant- 
ation. Jemmy  Button,  the  one  most  particularly  described 
of  those  carried  to  England,  when  seen,  a  few  years  after- 
wards, by  Captain  Fitzroy,  had  nearly  rehapsed  into  his 
original  st^tc  of  squalid  barbarity.  Matthews  left  the 
island  u[)on  the  first  failure  (^f  the  attempt  at  agi'iculture. 

Could  there  be  found  men  of  sufficient  self-devotion  to 
be  willing  to  take  up  their  abode  in  such  a  dreary  country, 
there  seems  to  be  reason  to  believe  that  the  Fuegians  might 
be  reclaimed.  They  do  not  lack  'Sagacity  or  intelligence, 
and  their  memories  are  remarkably  retentive.  It  is  said 
that  "they  could  repeat  with  perfect  correctness  each  word 
in  any  sentence  addressed  to  them,  and  they  remembered 
such  words  for  some  time." 

The  Fuegians  described  by  Commander  "Wilkes,  as  seen 


■  I 


I 


■■;  1 


TTIE   rATAGONIANS. 


615 


I  ; 


at  Orange  Tlarljor,  wcn^  of  tlic  Peelierais  tribe.  Ilis  de- 
scriptions correspond  with  tliosc  of  former  voyagers,  but 
tbcir  interest  is  greatly  lieiglilcned  by  the  illustrations 
wliieli  accompany  liis  valuable  narrative.  "They  arc," 
lie  sa3''S,  "an  ill-slia})en  and  ugly  I'aee.  They  have  little 
or  no  idea  of  the  relatlvr  v.tlue  of  articles,  even  of  those 
that  one  would  suppose  wore  of  the  utmost  use  to  tluMii, 
such  as  iron  and  ghiss-ware.  A  glass  bottle  broken  into 
pieces  is  valued  as  much  as  a  knife.  Red  flannel  torn  into 
stripes,  pleases  them  more  thau  in  the  piece;  they  A.ound 
it  round  their  heads,  as  a  kind  of  turban,  and  it  was  anuis- 
ing  to  see  their  satisfaction  at  this  small  acquisition." 

'J'he  Indians  of  this  party  wore  no  other  clothing  than 
a  small  piece  of  seal-skin  appended  to  the  shoulder  and 
reaching  to  the  waist.  This  was  shifted  from  side  to  side 
according  to  1lie  direction  of  the  wind,  serving  rather  as 
a  shelter  than  a  covering.  Their  bark  canoes  were  of 
exceedingly  slight  construction,  "sewed  with  shreds  of 
whale-bono,  seal-skin,  and  twigs."  Their  navigation  was 
mostly  conflned  to  ihe  limits  of  the  kelp  or  sea- weed, 
where  the  w^ater  was  calm,  and  they  could  assist  the  oper- 
ation of  their  small  and  InefTicicnt  paddles  by  laying  hold 
of  the  marine  plants. 

Those  natives  who  w^ere  taken  on  board  the  vessels, 
exhibited  little  or  no  astonishment  at  wdiat  they  saw  ai'ouiid 
them.  This  did  not  proceed  from  surliness  or  apathy,  [or 
they  were  vivacious  and  cheerfui,  and  a})parenLly  ha])py 
and  contented.  A  most  uncontrollable  propensity  to  mim- 
icry prevented  the  establishment  of  any  kind  of  onunu- 
nication,  as,  instead  of  replying  to  signs  and  gestures,  they 
would  invariably  imitate  them  with  ludicrous  exactness. 
'^J^heir  imitati()ns  of  sounds  were  truly  astonishing.  Ono 
of  them  ascended  and  descended  the  octave  perfectly,  fol- 
lowing the  sounds  of  the  violin  correctlv.  It  was  Ihoii 
found  he  could  sound  the  common  chords,  and   follow » 


ii 


H 


'  I 


63G 


IXDIAX  KACES  OF  A:\IKmCA. 


:l'k 


'IJ 


;  I 


througli  the  soniitonc  scale,  with  scarcely  an  error.  *  *  ^ 
Althuugh  they  have  been  heard  to  shout  quite  loud,  yet 
they  (taimot  endure  a  noise.  When  thi'  di'inn  beat,  or  a 
gun  Avas  lircd,  they  iii\ariably  stojiped  the'ir  ears.  They 
always  s[ieak  to  each  othei"  iu  a  whisper.  '^Pheii"  e.'iutious 
inauiK'i'  and  iiiovenieiits  prove  tlieiii  to  be  a  timid  I'aee. 
'J'ln'  men  ai'e  exceedingly  jealous  of  their  women,  and 
Avill  not  allow  any  ouc,  iC  they  can  help  it,  to  enter  their 
huts,  partieidarly  boys." 

AVli(>n,  after  some  hesitation,  admittance  was  g;iined  to 
the  huts  on  shore:  "The  men  creeping  in  fn-st,  squatted 
themselves  directly  in  fi'ont  of  the  women,  all  holding  out 
the  small  })iece  of  seal-skin,  to  allow  the  heat  to  I'each  tlunr 
bodies.  ■I'lie  Avomen  were  squatted  three  deep  behind  the 
men,  the  oldest  in  front,  nestling  the  infants."  ^[ost  writers 
speak  of  the  condition  of  the  Kucgian  women,  particularly 
of  this  race  of  Pecherais,  as  being  subjected  to  the  most 
severe  and  toilsome  drudgery.  "In  a  word,"  says  one, 
"the  Pecherais  women  are,  perhaps,  of  all  the  savage 
women  of  America,  those  Avhose  lot  is  the  hardest."  '^Jdios(^, 
however,  seen  at  Orange  Harbor  had  small  and  well-sha])ed 
hands  and  feet,  "and.  from  appearance,  they  are  not  accus- 
tomed to  do  any  hard  work." 

Some  vague  superstitious  belief  in  dreams,  omens,  Sec, 
Avith  the  idea  of  an  evil  sj^irit  in  the  embodiment  of  "a 
great  black  man,  snpjiosed  to  be  alway.s  wandering  about 
the  woods  and  mountains,  who  is  certain  of  knowing 
every  word  and  every  action,  who  cannot  be  escaped,  and 
who  influences  the  Aveather  according  to  men's  conduct," 
is  all  that  is  ol)scrvable  of  religious  conceptions  on  the 
part  of  the  natives.  They  have,  connected  Avith  each 
tribe  or  casual  groupe,  a  man  Avhom  their  fancy  invests 
with  the  })ower  of  sorcerer  and  physician;  occuj)ying 
precisely  the  same  position  Avith  that  of  the  "poAVOws"  of 
North.  America. 


M 


;; T.j 


IMPORTANT   E?tAS  AND  DATES 


OF 


INTERESTING    EVENTS    IN    INDIAN    HISTORY 


I 


A.  D. 

544.  Tin;  Toltces,  nccording  to  juuiciil  tniditions,  commenced    tlu'It 

niiuiMtinii  IVoiii  tlic  iiortli  to  the  v;ile  of  Aiiiiimae,  or  .Mexico. 
(')AH.  'riif  'I'tiltees  iinived  ;il  Toll.uitziiieo,  in  AiKiliiiac. 
't)>i-J..  Jlireiv  the  lied  discovered  (Jreeidaiid,  and  i>l.iMted  ;i  colony  there. 
i)S,x  IJi.irni  HeriiiifsoM  discovered  tiie  Americiui  const. 
lOd.S.  'I'liuifum  K;ulsct'ni  planted  a  ccdony  in  .New  Enj,dand. 
1();j1.  The  Ttiliecs  destroyed  by  a  |)cstilence. 

1U70. 'I'he  harl)aroiis  nation  ot  the  (Jhichiniecas  succeeded  the  'J'oltees. 
1  no.  The  Naluiatlaeas,  or  Meven  Tribes,  among  whom  were  the  AzIjcs, 

coinincneed  their  ini^'ratidn  iVoni  the  north. 
13:^5.  'i'iie  .\;'.lecs  lonndcd  the  cily  of  .ancient  .Mexico. 
lliJ2.  Oct.  1-J.  Cnhimbiis  Landed  at  Gnanahani,  or  Cat  Island,  on  his  rmst 

\oyaife  of  discovery. 
1  IDS.  Cohinibiis  lirst  touched  tlie  shores  of  Soiitli  America,  and  Iield 

intercourse,  with  tiie  Ar.iwaks. 
1.JUU.  Jan.  litj.  Vicente  I'in/.on  landed  near  Cape  bit.  Auyu.stine,  at  the 

eastern  exlrcniily  of  Soutii  America,  and  took  fiirin.al  posse.s.^ion. 
l.'iOl.  Portnuuese  discoverers,  under  Vespucius,  landed  at  Tliazil. 
l.\)i)!l.  Juan  de  Soils  .slain  by  the  natives  ai  llie  estuary  of  J-a  IMata. 
I.jl6.  L.  Velas(iue/.  de  Ayllon  landed  on  the  (Carolina  coast  in  st:arch  of 

Indian  slaves  and  L(old. 
151!}.  .Nov.  8.  Corte/.  entered  the  city  of  iMe.\ico,  and  held  his  first  inter- 


view with  the  Emperor  .Mouti/.uma". 
l.riO.  Night  of  July  1.  The  "Nociie  Triste, 


m  which  the.  Sjianiards 


ma( 


le  their  disastrous  retreat  from  the  city  of  Mexico. 


1521.  Tow.irds  tiiv.  elo.se  of  May,  the  Sp.uiiartls,  witli   reinforcements, 
having  again  advanced  upon  the  A/tec  capil.al,  1.  id  close  siege  to  it. 


Aug.  13.  (iantinio/.in,  successor 


to.M. 


nle/.uma,  was  taken  priMjiier, 


Old  the  city  fell  into  the  power  of  the  Spanish  invader.- 
15-JI.  Nov.  Fr.ancisco  Pizarro  sailed  on  his  fnst  exi)edition  lo  Pern. 
1528.  Expedition  ot  Pani|)hilo  de  N.irvaez  to  Florida,  with  a  parly  of 

four  inuidreil  men.     About  forty  horses  were  landed — the  iii>t 

ever  seep,  by  tiie  natives. 
1531.  Piz.irro  landed  and  establi.'-lied  liinisell' in  Pe 


ru. 


1532.  Nov.  lo.  I'hitry  of  Pi/arro  into  ''ixamalea,  a 


ud  lirst  interview  (jf 


lis  oliic 


er.^  V, 


ith  the  Jne.a.  At, 


ihualliia. 


"      Nov.  1().  ilorrible  massacre  of  the  Inili.uis,  and  seizure  of  the  Inca. 
1533.  Aug.  29.  Ataliuallpa.  infunoiisly  put  to  death,  by  the  garrotte. 

"      Nov.  I'Jiitry  of  thi'  Snaniavd-^  into  Cu/co,  the  ca^iital  of  Peru. 
1535.  Almagi-(.'s  expedition  into  Ciiili. 


V        I 


t  jl     I.  ■ 


ijSS 


LNDIAN  HACKS  OF  AI^IEUICA. 


lolU 
1 002 
15o3 

1555 

J  556 
1558 
1562 


]  595 
1698, 


! 

:  1613 

i    ii 

ii   1614 

|!   1617 

Ii   1618 

;   1620 

i     " 

i! 
JJr   1621 

1   1625 

1628 

■ 

1687 

J6-10 


j\r.'iy.  Foriiiuidn  <lc  Siiti)  laiuU'il  ;it  Tniiiini  Hay.    Tiii"  l)loody  sooncs 

iittciiduiit  iipdii  tin-  t'oiiqiu'st  of  I'loridii  oiisued. 
I'l'ilro  Valdivia'.s  iiiviisioii  of  Cliili. 
His  i)r()y:a'.s.s  tliroiiijjii  Araiicti. 
JK'i'.  3.  (ii'(';tt  Uattlf  lictuccii  tlie  Spaniards  and  the  AraucaniatiH, 

in  wliit'ii  the  lattfi',  niidcr  Canpnlican,  {Gained  a  sitrnal  vii'tory. 
Tiic  Spanish  tuwn  of  Cuiiccptiun  attaeiii'd  and  destroyed  by  the 

Araucanians,  under  Lantaro, 
Jiiiutaro  surprised  and  slain  by  Villagran. 

.  Expedition  of  (iarcia  de  iMendo/a  to  tlie  archipelai,fo  of  Ciiiioe. 
Frerieli  refiiy  n-s  sell  led  peaeeably  among  tlie  Indians  on  tiie  Ht. 

Joini's  river,  Florida. 
,  Ainidas  and  liarlow  opened  a  friendly  intoreoiirse  with  the  Vir- 
ginia IndiiMis. 
,  Those  belonging  to  Sir  Richard  Grcnville's  expedition  to  Virginia 

coninienced  outrages  and  hosstilities,  wlueh  resulted  in  the  de- 

struution  of  sewr.il  successive  colonies. 
,  Raleigh  entered  the  Orinoeo.and  held  iiitereonr.se  with  the  natives. 
,  J\ov.  (ireat  rising  of  the  Chilians,  under  the  Toqui  Pailiainaehu: 

e.xpulsion  of  the  Spjuiiards  from  the  Araueaniau  territory. 
.Bartholomew  GosnoU's  expedition  to  Virginia;  with  which  the 

celebrated  Captain  John  Smith  was  eomiected. 
,  June.  Smith's  explor.itina  of  the  Chesapeake,  his  lirst  meeting 

with  the  JMassiiWoniekes.  or  Iioquois. 
In  the  autumn  of  this  ye.ir,  Powhatan  was  formally  crowned — the 

regdia  liaviiig  been  sent  over  from  England. 
Dec.  I'owh.'iliii's  coi!spii;!ey  ;ig;iinst  Smith  and  his  party,  and  their 

preservation  by  Pocahonlas. 
Pocahontas  seized  and  detained  by  Captain  Argall. 
April.  jMarri;ige  of  Pooahonlas  to  John  Roll'e. 
Thomas  Hunt  landed  at  iMonhegan,  and  enticed  twenty-four  In- 

dians  on  board  his  vessel,  whom  he  carried  to  Europe  as  slaves. 
PucahontMs  died,  at  Cravesend,  in  England. 
Powhatan  died. 

iNov.  9.  The  .\I..\'-l''lower  arrived. 

Dec.  8.  First  skli'mish  of  the  i\.  England  settlers  with  the  natives. 
Dec.  22.  Their  landing  at  I'lymouth. 

iMarch  22.  Treaty  between  the  Plymouth  settlers  and  Massasoit. 
iMareli  22.  Great  massacre  of  the  Virginia  settlers,  by  the  Indians, 

set  on  by  Opechancanough :  three  hundred  and  forty-seven  killed. 
Great  battle  with  the  Caribs  on  the  island  of  St.  Cliristopher;  two 

thousand  of  thai  nation  destroyed. 
Fiie-;irms  extensively  dilTused  r.niongthe  Indians  of  New  England, 

by  Dutch  traders  .and  one  Thomas  Morton. 
The  Pequod  VV^ar  broke  out:   siege  of  the  English  garrison  at 

Saybrook. 
June  5.  A  little  before  day  the  Pequod  fort  attacked  and  destroy- 
ed; barbarous  destruction  of  women  and  cluldren. 
Peace  concluded  lietween  the  Spanish  colonists  under  Francisco 

Zuniga,  and  the  Araucanians. 


dy  scenes 


aucaiiiiiTiH, 
vk'tory. 
red  by  ihe 

f  Cliiloc. 
on  the  t^t. 

Lh  i\w  Vir- 

to  Virginia 

ill  the  de- 

tlie  natives, 
ailiainaehu: 

tdi  y. 
whiuli  tlie 

ist  meeting 

owned — tlio 

ty,  and  their 


liity-four  In- 
n's shives. 


theniitives. 

hiassasoit. 
|the  Indians, 
keven  killed, 
[upher;  two 

[\v  Englnnd, 


iirai'i'ison  at 
I  *3 


|nd  destroy- 
Fruncisco 


^ 


j '' 

I  ■ 

i  i 


I 

i . 


!  t 


I  ! 


I  I 


nrroi.TANT  kijas  and  i»atks. 


639 


A.  D. 

mil. 

KiT.O. 
1()75. 
1670. 

l(J8i>. 
I(i88. 
17IU. 
1711. 
I'.'K). 


1  io6. 
1 V-19. 

17J0. 

]  75.5. 

17."/). 
17tiU. 

1701. 

1703. 


1773. 
1771. 

1777. 

1778, 

if, 

1/79. 

1780. 
1781. 


u 

178.5. 

178(i. 
1791. 


!\Ii:'inti)iihn()  put  to  dc.illi  by  ITiumh. 

Second  Vii'irjnia  massaere,  planned  by  Opeclianeanouffh. 

The  nation  ot'tlie  J'lries  exterminated  hy  tlie  Jroipiois. 

Philip,  or  .Mi'taeoniet,  siiceeeded  his  brother  Alexander. 

I'eare  .•it^f.iin  eonrlndi'd  ijitween  the  Spaniards  and  Araueanijins. 

.lime  til.  ().  S.  First  hhuid  siied  in  Kinj^^  l'hilii)'s  war. 

Dee.  19.  Destruetion  ol'tlie  Narragansett  fort. 

Aw;f.  \-2.  IMiilip  killed  by  an  Indian  ot'Captain  (^'hnn'h's  party. 

Aii;r.  Captnre  oi'Annawon,  liy  Chnreh,  and  end  ol'tlie  war. 

I)"e.  First  treaty  ofWdliam  IVnn  with  the  Delawares. 

lMvasi')n  of  Canada,  .'ind  attaek  on  Montred  by  the  Irocpiois. 

First  deputation  of  Iroipiois  ehiefs  to  the  eourt  of  Qneon  Anno. 

>"-e|it.  •J.-l.  3lassaere  of  wliites  in  Xoi'tli  Carolina,  by  the  'I'usearoras. 

-M  Mvli  i]u.  The  Tnse  irora  fort  on  Tar  river  destroyed  by  Colonel 

jMoore — eiirht  hundred  prisoners  taken. 
Union  of  the  main  body  of  the  Tnsearor.is  with  the  Iroquois. 
Nov.  30.  Massaere  of  the  Freneh  inhaMtants  of  Natehe/,  by  the 

Nat^'hez  Indians. 
Nearly  one-h;i,li'  of  the  Cherokees  destroyed  by  the  small-pox. 
i'^inirular  intrigues  of  the  Reverend  Thomas  Uosdniworth  and  his 

wife,  the  h  H'-breed.  IMary  ^lusfrrove,  amonir  the  Creeks. 
Settlement  of  ditlieullies  between  Spanish  and  i'orluynese  eolonies 

oiitiieriverLuFlata — thirty  thousandCuaraui  Indians  expatriated. 
•Inly  9.  Disastrous  defe:it  of  (Jenor.d  IJraddoek,  by  the  Freneh  and 

Indians,  a  few  miles  from  Fort  Diiquesne. 
\Viiiter.  Wi'.r  betVi'cL'ii  the  Cherokees  and  the  i3riti-di  enlonists. 
Spring.  Cohni'd  ^lontironiery's  expedition  agidn-^t  the  Cherokees 

destruetion  of  all  their  towns  east  of  tlit^  iJliie  Kidge. 
Spring.  Colonel  (iranfs  e.,nip..ig;i  ag.anst  the  Cherokees:  their 

rednelioii,  and  the  ravage  of  their  towns  in  the  interior. 
May.  Siege  (d'  Detroit  eonnneneed  by  I'ontiae. 
July  30.  IJattle  (d"  Iiloudy  Bridge,  and  terrible  destruetion  of  Eng- 

lish  troops  under  Captain  D^dyell,  by  I'oi\tiae  and  his  wai'riors. 
IVaee  eoneluded  between  the  Spaniards  and  the  Araneanians. 
In  the  spring  of  this  year  eomnuiieed  the  bloody  war  in  Western 

Virginia  I'.nd  Pennsylvania,  known  as  Cresap's  war. 
Oet.  10.  Cre;it  l):ittle  at  Point  Pleasant — month  of  the  Kanawha. 
July.  IJattle  of  Oiiskany;  Ceneral  Herkimer  mortally  wounded. 
July  4.  Destruetion  of  the  settlements  in  the  valley  of  Wyoming. 
Nov.  .Massaere  at  Cherry- Valley. 
Sept.  Ceneral  Sullivan's  campaign  against  the  Iroquois:  destruc- 

tit)n  of  all  their  towns,  erops,  fniit-trees,  and  stores. 
Aug.  Ravage  (fa  jtiirtion  of  the  .Mohawk  valley,  by  Br.nit. 
Gre.it  in.snrreetion  of  the  Peruvian  Indians,  niiderTu])ac  Amaru. 
June.  Grand  eouneil  of  war  held  by  the  western  tribes. 
Defeat  of  ('uli)iiels  Todd,  Trigg,  and  party,  near  the  JJlue  Lieks. 
Indian  towns  of  Chilieothe,Peea way,  &e.,  destroyed  by  Gen.  Clarke, 
liraiit  vL-^iied  Fnghind,  and  was  received  with  llattering  attention. 
Dee.  (b'aiid  Council  (d'  Western   li'dians,  at 
.Vutiunn.   ^jnsuece^^ful  expeditio"  jf  (ieueral  Ilarmar. 


Ilin'on  \'illage. 


I 


l! 


M^-. 


IN'CLUDIN'G    TLLI'STRATIOVS. 


.y- 


/' 


/ 


A.  n. 

I'iU.Nuv.  4.  DisMsfrons  dc'rit  of  rii'ticr.il  St,  Claii',  by  the  Itulians, 

umicr  Litllii  'J'lirtlc,  ii.'ar  llic  Mi,:iiii. 
17U  I.  Am;,;.  'JU.    ll;,Ulo  of  l'i\-mic   l-K',  in  v^hiili  lln- Wotcni   Indiana, 

iiiidcr  liliic  .lackcl,  were  si;;iially  diCcatfd  hy  (u'lUTal  W.iyin'. 
1804.  Elskwatawa,   tlu-,    |ii(i|ilicl.    Iiidtlicr   nl'   'IVciini.scli,    eiiniiycd    in 

InliiyiiL'ft.  aiiionif  tlu'  liilifs  (d'  the  uc.'it. 
180!).  N'|)t.  Cession   of   lands   on   tlin   W'ahash,  olilainid   liy  drncrd 

J  larii~on  \\{\m  tiic  Indians. 

1810.  I)i|iarluu«'  of  'J'ci  nnisch  sonlhuard,  for  tlif  iiniposc  of  lou-iiii,' 

n|»  tla-  (,'ri'i'ks,  (Jlicrokce's,  &f. 

1811.  Nin-lit  of  Nov.  fi.  iiattic  at  tin;  i'mplu'tV  'I'own,  in  \vln(  li  ill.-kw:'- 

tavva's  foi\'i's  wiTo  dt-ftitt'd  :nul  dispinscd  by  Cu-ncral  Harrison. 
1813.  Aug.  .'JO.  Sai'k  of  I'lat  .Minnns,  in  llic  Tmsan  M'ttlcimnt,  hy  iIm 

irn-at  ("rt'i'k  warricM"  NW'atluj'liMck  with  fiflccn  inindri'd  Indi:Mis. 
1813.(K't.  o.  iJattIc  of  the  Tiiaincs:  the  yivat  Indian  chief TLruniscli 

killed. 
1813.  Nov.  *J!).  Battle  of  Ant^issc;  d-'strnctioii  of  two  Inuidnd  Indians 

by  (leni'ral  Floyd's  forees,  ;ddfd  hy  Indian  allies  led  hy  .M'Intosli. 
1811.  iMiireli  27.  IJ.itile  of  lliirse-sho(!   IJcnd,  in   the  Tallipoosie:  111-; 

Creeks  and  other  sontlnrn  India. is  deflated  hy  Oein  I'al  jaek-tni. 
1823.  Sept.  18.  'J'renty  (d'  Mnnllrie  Cre-k.  hy  whieli  tlie  Seininoh  s  were 

to  reniose  within  certain  limits. 

1829.  Dee.  120.  Acts   i»aM-.rd    hy  the  (Ji'oriria  leylslalnn',  annnllinn-  the 

Clii'i'okee^  laws,  and  inlrinu'in'i  npon  tlu^  litihts  of  that  |ieii|i|i'. 

1830.  July.  Treaty  at  I'rairie  dii  Cliien,  with  tiie  S.ies  and  l''o.\es,  low;;s, 

Siou.x,  cVc.,  coneerniny  cession  of  iaiu'.b  east  of  the  .Mississippi. 
IB.^il.  June.  (Jeneral  (Jaines"  e.xpedition,  to  compel  removal  of  tin'  Sics. 
1832.  ."\Iay  8.  Tre.ily  of  l*ayne"s  l,andini,',  hy  the  provisions  of  which 
till!  Seniinides  were  to  remove  west  of  the  j\lississip|ii. 
"       INlay  II.  Defeat  of  Al.ijor  Stillmaii  and  his  forces,  hy  j!la(di-l  fawk. 
"      Ai.i<^.  'J.  lilack-llawk's  forces  defeated  hy  Ceneral  Atkinson. 
"  "      27.  Surieiider  of  hLiek-lJawk  and  the  i'luplu't. 

1835.  Oct,  The  Florida  W'.ir  connnenred, 

'•  Dec.  Tre.ity  of  New  Fchota  with  the  Ch"r(dvecs,  (ktiown  as 
ycherinerhorn's  treaty;  npon  the  sahject  of  ;-jmov;d  of  that 
n.ation  west  of  th'  .Mississipiji. 

"       Dec.  28,   Distnii'tion  of  j);ide's  det.u-hnient,  hy  llie  Seminoles, 

1836.  March  14.  iScliernierhorn's  treaty  with  the  Clicrukees  ratilied  by 

Congress. 
183G.  Spring.  (leneral  Scott's  caniiKUg^i  in  Florid.a, 

1837.  Jan.  22.  Ceneral  Jessup  moved  soulliw.ard  towards  the  everglades 

in  [inrshit  of  the  Seminoles. 

1838.  Oct.  3.  J?lack-llawk  died,  at  the  ago  of  73. 

1842.  TIk!  Florida  war  :it  an  end:  several  luuidrcd  Indians  transported 
west  of  the  Mississippi. 


THE    END. 


r',v.  pVf'.< T'ft      1 


a.2i.'ist^^-%./^ 


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1    liy   (ifiicnl 

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by  Mliitosli. 
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tkiiisoii. 


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i 
i 

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transported       j 


